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NL IL - Braceville

Village of Braceville, Grundy County, Illinois

The NL IL – Braceville solar project, located in the Village of Braceville, Grundy County, Illinois, is set to provide around 7.73 megawatts (MWdc) of renewable energy yearly Illinois. This project will contribute to the State’s goal of achieving 40% renewable energy by 2030.

Spanning 50 acres, more than 10,900 modules of this single-axis tracker solar array are expected to produce approximately 12,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable energy annually, meeting the growing demand for sustainable electricity in the region and strengthening the reliability of the Illinois electricity mix. This will displace up to 3,908 metric tons of CO2 each year.

This project will be a Community Solar Garden, aiming to expand access to solar energy for Illinois residents who cannot afford or do not have the space to install solar panels on their own properties, while reducing the cost of their electricity bills.

The project will contribute to the local economy by creating construction jobs and generating long-term economic benefits through increased tax revenue, community investments and solar grazing opportunities. Construction began in October 2025, with operations expected to commence by October 2026, marking a significant step toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for all people in Illinois.

Benefits

Lawsbrook solar

Economic Impact

The project will create local construction jobs during its building phase, supporting the regional workforce. Beyond its immediate job creation and rent payments, the project will generate substantial long-term economic value by contributing to the local tax base, helping to fund essential community services and infrastructure. By fostering economic growth and investing in renewable energy, the NL IL – Braceville solar project demonstrates a commitment to both environmental sustainability and the financial well-being of the community, making it a valuable asset for Grundy County’s future.

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Clean Energy Impact

Solar panels do not emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and they do not pollute the surrounding environment.

By producing approximately 12,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of sustainable electricity annually, it will provide a reliable source of carbon-free power to the Illinois grid. Using the EPA equivalencies calculator, this project would produce enough electricity to power 814 U.S. homes annually.

Brochure

Offsets

The project is expected to displace approximately 3,908 tCO2e (Metric tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent) annually, based on the emissions profiles of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern grids (both operate in Illinois). Using the EPA equivalencies calculator, the carbon displaced from not burning fossil fuels would be equivalent to the carbon absorbed by more than 3,920 acres of U.S. forests in a year.

Location

Village of Braceville, Grundy County, Illinois

Project Size

7.73 MWdc

Timeline to operation
Construction began in October 2025, with operations expected to commence in August 2026.

The NL IL – Braceville Solar Project will generate approximately 12,000 MWh of clean electricity each year—enough to power more than 800 homes and offset about 3,900 metric tons of CO₂ annually, equivalent to the carbon captured by over 3,900 acres of U.S. forests.

Spanning 50 acres in Grundy County, this Community Solar Garden will feature over 10,900 single-axis tracker panels and integrate solar grazing to combine renewable power generation with responsible land management and long-term local economic value.

Location

Located in the Village of Braceville, Grundy County, Illinois, the NL IL – Braceville Solar Project covers 50 acres of land designed for dual use and clean energy production. With a capacity of 7.73 MWdc, it supports Illinois’ goal of achieving 40% renewable energy by 2030 and enhances grid reliability.


Ssi il website map braceville

Economic Impact

  • The project will create construction-phase jobs, supporting the regional workforce and stimulating the local economy.
  • Once operational, it will generate ongoing tax revenue to help fund essential community services and infrastructure in Grundy County.
  • Through solar grazing and long-term land leasing, the project delivers sustainable economic value and enhances rural productivity.
Economic imact goodwill scaled 1

Goodwill Industries, VA, 0.5 MWdc

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Port Newark Container Terminal, NJ, 3.29 MWdc

Clean Energy Impact

  • The project is expected to generate approximately 12,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually — enough to power over 800 homes in Illinois.
  • It will offset roughly 3,900 metric tons of CO₂ emissions each year, reducing the state’s dependence on fossil fuels.
  • Supporting Illinois’ 40% renewable energy target by 2030, the project enhances grid diversity and reliability across the region.

Environmental Impact

  • By avoiding fossil fuel combustion, the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, contributing to cleaner local air and a healthier environment.
  • Solar grazing practices will maintain vegetation, promote soil stability, and create a pollinator-friendly landscape.
  • The site’s low-impact design demonstrates how renewable energy can coexist with sustainable agriculture and local biodiversity.
Godfrey solar 3146

Carver, MA, 2.8 MWdc

Project Location

The NL IL – Braceville solar project is in the Village of Braceville, Grundy County, Illinois.

Parts of the project may be visible from public roads.

The NL IL – Braceville solar project is built on private land which is leased by Standard Solar to operate the system. This land will be leased for a period of 20 years (2024-2044), spanning the development, use, maintenance and decommissioning of the project, subject to optional and voluntary two ten-year renewal periods.

Safety & Operations

Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect. Each panel is composed of many solar cells, typically made of silicon, a material that can absorb sunlight. When sunlight hits these cells, it excites electrons, creating an electric current. This current is collected and directed through wires to power homes, businesses, or the electrical grid. Solar panels are often installed in arrays to capture as much sunlight as possible, and they work best in sunny locations. By harnessing the sun’s energy, solar panels provide a clean, renewable source of electricity that does not produce harmful emissions.

At Standard Solar, we are committed to sustainability throughout the entire lifecycle of our projects. The NL IL – Braceville solar project will produce electricity for 20 years. After this time, when the project reaches the end of its operational life, well-established processes are in place to ensure responsible repowering, decommissioning and recycling.

Standard Solar has programs and policies in place to safely remove equipment, restore the land to its original state, and recycle materials like glass, metal, and silicon from the solar panels. Such programs enable Standard Solar to minimize waste, prevent any burdens on the community, and support the circular economy, ensuring that renewable energy remains a sustainable solution for future generations.

Solar projects are designed to operate quietly, making them an ideal option for generating renewable energy without disrupting nearby communities, agriculture, or wildlife. The primary components — solar panels — make no noise during operation. Some equipment, such as inverters or transformers, may produce a low humming sound (up to 60 dB) when converting solar energy into electricity. However, this noise is minimal and typically only noticeable when the equipment is close by (less than 10 feet). Overall, solar projects are a clean, quiet and community-friendly energy solution.

Since solar panels can only generate electricity during the daytime, the system is silent at night.

The design of solar projects, including this one, minimizes the potential for glare. Solar panels are specifically engineered to absorb sunlight, not reflect it, as their primary function is to convert sunlight into electricity. Modern panels are coated with anti-reflective materials to further reduce any reflection. Additionally, projects undergo detailed studies and modeling during the planning phase to ensure they do not create glare that could affect nearby residents, drivers, aviation and wildlife.

Environment & Wildlife

This project has been designed with comprehensive measures to effectively manage erosion, stormwater and dust control throughout its lifetime, ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding environment and no disturbances to wetlands or waterways. The project has all applicable local, state, and federal permits and certifications.

Before construction, the site underwent a thorough assessment, and best management practices were implemented, including silt fences, sediment basins and buffer zones, to mitigate runoff during the building phase.

Once operational, the site will be stabilized with vegetation, including tall fescue grasses, conservation shade mixes (grasses) and butterfly and hummingbird garden mix (native flowers). Regular monitoring and maintenance will ensure that erosion, stormwater and dust control remain effective for the duration of the project.

Standard Solar carefully considers the impact on wildlife and biodiversity in all projects to minimize disruption to local ecosystems. Detailed environmental studies are conducted to identify sensitive habitats and species, and to mitigate potential adverse impacts.

Consultation with the USFWS  

    • The Illinois Department of Natural Resources found no State-listed threatened or endangered species, Illinois Nature Preserves, or registered Land and Water Reserves in the vicinity of the project location.
    • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) identified four endangered species that could potentially occur at the site: the Indiana Bat, the Monarch Butterfly, the Whooping Crane and Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid.
    • However, no critical habitats were found within the project area, given that the site is an agricultural field
    • Tree clearing activities will not impact listed species, bald eagles, or migratory birds. 

Creating a wildlife-friendly site

  • There is no tree clearing planned at the site, leaving bald eagles or migratory birds undisturbed.
  • Bat boxes will be installed along the perimeter.      
  • The site will be seeded with plants that will provide food and habitat for bees, beetles, butterflies and birds should they occur on the site.
  • Wildlife-friendly fencing and vegetation buffers will be used to allow the safe movement of animals and birds.      
  • The site will be monitored to ensure minimal impact and compliance with biodiversity and ecosystem protection regulations.