The Village of Deerfield officially celebrated the completion of its landmark renewable energy project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Village’s Water Reclamation Facility on Friday, June 26, 2026. The newly operational 574.6 kW-DC ground-mount solar array marks a monumental step forward in the Village’s commitment to sustainability and long-term taxpayer savings.
Construction on the solar field successfully concluded following its mid-October 2025 groundbreaking. By strategically securing all available state, federal, and utility incentives, the Village successfully offset more than 70% of the total project cost, delivering an environmentally impactful project with minimal local financial liability.
This initiative directly advances the goals of Deerfield’s Climate Action Report, which sets ambitious objectives to reduce community emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve total carbon neutrality by 2050. Now fully operational, the solar installation is actively delivering results by:
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- Generating Power: Producing more than 645,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, offsetting approximately 23% of the wastewater facility’s grid power use.
- Slashing Costs: Delivering more than $1.1 million in guaranteed utility savings over the system’s lifetime.
- Cutting Carbon: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 275 metric tons of CO2 annually with the environmental equivalent of removing 61 gasoline-powered cars from the road for one year or the carbon capture of 320 acres of U.S. forests.
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“Seeing this solar array fully operational and pushing clean energy to our facility is a proud moment for Deerfield. This project represents more than just cost savings; it reflects Deerfield’s responsibility to future generations. By flipping the switch on solar energy at our Water Reclamation Facility we are improving air quality, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and proving that local government can lead the way toward a healthier, more sustainable community.”
– Daniel C. Shapiro, Mayor of Villiage of Deerfield, IL
“Wastewater treatment plants are traditionally among the highest energy users in any municipality. By deploying this renewable solar power asset, Deerfield is leading by example. Veregy is incredibly proud to celebrate this ribbon cutting alongside the Village, showcasing to communities across Illinois how to successfully minimize utility costs while making a permanent, positive impact on the environment.”
– Danielle Melone, Senior Account Manager at Veregy
Deerfield’s ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from Congressman Brad Schneider, State Senator Julie Morrison, and State Representative Bob Morgan, as well as Deerfield’s mayor, Daniel C. Shapiro.
A Bright Future Powered by Clean Energy
By combining cutting-edge solar technology with thoughtful financial planning, the Village of Deerfield is actively charting a path toward long-term resilience. The successful completion of this project highlights how local governments can simultaneously protect taxpayer dollars and contribute meaningfully to global climate goals.
About the Village of Deerfield
For more information about Deerfield’s renewable energy initiatives, including the Green Energy Partnership Program, visit: https://www.deerfield.il.us/Green-Up-Deerfield.
