In Illinois, the Barack Obama Foundation is serving as an anchor tenant for community solar projects, one of the most important roles in pushing renewable energy forward.

By subscribing to a large share of the power, the foundation can help supply the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago with renewable electricity while leaving more capacity available for low-to-moderate-income households and small businesses.

Here's what to know

Under the agreement, the foundation will be the main tenant for community solar projects in Illinois that Reactivate is developing. Its participation is intended to provide the financial support Reactivate needs for those portfolios, while the remaining capacity stays open to low-to-moderate-income households and small businesses, according to Solar Builder.

The deal also aligns with the Obama Presidential Center's sustainability plans. Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation, said, "President Obama set a clear vision: to make sustainability a centerpiece of all we do, and to serve as a model for what is possible."

Residential and commercial subscribers may reduce utility costs through Illinois Solar For All and other regional programs.

Going solar is one of the best ways to save on home energy costs, especially as power bills climb. Readers who want to compare local options can use EasyHome's free explorer tool to see pricing and savings from vetted installers in their area.

More background

This setup uses a large nonprofit's electricity demand to support a broader community solar model. The presidential center gets renewable power through the arrangement, while households and small businesses that might otherwise face barriers can still access the rest of the capacity.

Jarrett framed the choice as both a climate decision and a local one. "We believe that taking care of the one planet we have starts with the choices we make right in our own backyard. That is why the Obama Presidential Center not only is sourcing 100% of our electricity from renewable energy, but we are also partnering with a company that will expand access to solar energy to our neighbors."

The partnership comes as U.S. energy bills rise and could serve as a model for other organizations looking to lower emissions and costs.

The state also approved legislation to broaden solar programs and ease limits on the regional solar pipeline, which could make it easier for more projects like these to move forward.

What's being done?

The center-stone is the anchor-tenant model. By committing to a large share of the projects' output, the Obama Foundation gives Reactivate the predictable demand it needs to move its community solar portfolios forward.

Reactivate CEO Utopia Hill said that approach has immediate consumer benefits: "By stepping forward as an anchor tenant, The Obama Foundation helps power the Presidential Center with clean energy while actively lowering the barrier to entry for local families and small businesses to cut their energy costs."

For homeowners looking for their own setup, EasyHome's free explorer tool makes comparison shopping easier by showing pricing and projected savings from vetted installers. It can also help readers explore backup battery storage options, which can complement rooftop solar.

Reactivate senior vice president of origination and contracting Tuba Avcisert said the partnership reflects a mission for a cleaner future: "(The Obama Foundation's) trust in Reactivate to serve the Obama Center's energy needs reflect a shared belief, that clean energy projects should create lasting, meaningful benefits for the local communities they serve."

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