CleanCapital Launches Major Brownfield Solar Projects in Illinois and Maryland
CleanCapital, a leading independent power producer specializing in distributed energy, has announced significant progress on two transformative brownfield solar development projects: Yeoman Solar in Waukegan, Illinois, and Little Elk Solar in Elkton, Maryland. These projects highlight CleanCapital’s commitment to transforming underutilized and environmentally impacted lands into productive renewable energy assets, while advancing equitable access to clean power across the United States.
Both projects are scheduled to be placed in service by the end of 2025, underscoring CleanCapital’s role as a national leader in small-scale distributed generation and community-focused energy solutions.
Transforming a Superfund Site into Clean Energy: The Yeoman Solar Project
Located on the Yeoman Creek Landfill Superfund site in Waukegan, Illinois, the Yeoman Solar Project represents a pioneering model for the redevelopment of contaminated land. The 9.15-megawatt (MW) community solar facility is being constructed on land owned by the Waukegan Community Unit School District No. 60, part of an EPA-managed area undergoing long-term environmental remediation.
Once operational, Yeoman Solar is expected to produce approximately 13,036 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean electricity each year—enough to power more than 1,000 homes. This output will play a key role in supporting Illinois’ renewable energy targets and strengthening community resilience through affordable access to solar energy.
Participating in the Illinois Solar for All Low-Income Community Solar Pilot Program, the project will provide 50% discounted electricity credits to low-income Waukegan households, translating into an estimated $400 in annual savings per subscriber. CleanCapital has partnered with PowerMarket, a leading community solar management platform, to oversee subscriber enrollment and engagement. In a move that deepens its local impact, CleanCapital also offered the anchor subscription to the Waukegan school district itself, reinforcing its commitment to community investment and educational partnerships.
“The Yeoman Solar Project is the largest community solar facility in the ComEd service territory, and its completion marks a major milestone for both CleanCapital and Waukegan-area residents seeking lower energy costs,” said Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd. “We look forward to continuing to partner with CleanCapital as they expand renewable energy options for our customers and contribute to Illinois’ clean energy transition.”
This initiative demonstrates how former industrial or contaminated lands can be reclaimed as engines of sustainability and social benefit, combining economic development with environmental stewardship.
Maryland’s Little Elk Solar Project: Turning Contaminated Land into Community Power
The Little Elk Solar Project, located in Elkton, Maryland, is another hallmark of CleanCapital’s brownfield redevelopment expertise. The 822-kilowatt (kW) solar array sits on a former EPA Superfund site that once housed a paper mill and solvent recycling facilities. The project exemplifies the potential to repurpose such sites for sustainable, community-serving purposes while maintaining rigorous environmental safeguards.
CleanCapital acquired the Little Elk project as part of its broader acquisition of BQ Energy, a nationally recognized leader in landfill and brownfield renewable energy development. Through this integration, CleanCapital has expanded its capacity to revitalize neglected properties into clean energy assets that contribute to both environmental restoration and local energy access.
Once commissioned, Little Elk Solar will generate approximately 1,084 MWh of electricity annually. It will operate under the Maryland Community Solar Energy Generation System Pilot Program, with at least 50% of its capacity dedicated to low- and moderate-income (LMI) customers in the Delmarva region. This ensures that the project directly supports state goals for equitable energy distribution and affordability.
“Both of these solar projects underscore the transformative potential of developing brownfields and Superfund sites into productive, renewable energy generation assets,” said Paul Curran, Chief Development Officer at CleanCapital. “Projects like Yeoman and Little Elk embody the values that drive our team—delivering affordable, reliable clean energy to communities that need it most while turning once-problematic sites into symbols of progress.”
Advancing CleanCapital’s Vision for Equitable Renewable Energy
The Yeoman and Little Elk projects reflect CleanCapital’s strategic focus on high-impact, middle-market solar and energy storage investments. By targeting sites that combine strong renewable potential with community need, CleanCapital helps accelerate the transition to a decentralized, resilient energy grid while reducing the environmental footprint of power generation.
These projects also align with the company’s broader mission to “unleash American energy dominance” through investments that strengthen local economies and enhance national energy security. As electricity demand continues to climb amid electrification and industrial transformation, small- to mid-scale solar installations like Yeoman and Little Elk will play a vital role in diversifying energy supply and ensuring long-term affordability.
Beyond power generation, both projects embody a model of collaborative clean energy development—one that integrates federal and state programs, community engagement, and private capital to deliver tangible social, economic, and environmental outcomes. CleanCapital’s approach highlights how targeted renewable investments can transform environmental liabilities into renewable energy opportunities, advancing climate goals while promoting community well-being.
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