City Of Bloomington’s Leadership In Sustainability Expands Renewable Energy Production Across The Community In 2023

In 2023, the City of Bloomington, designated as a Gold SolSmart City, invested $850,000 in solar expansion, benefiting residents, nonprofits, and businesses. The Solar, Energy Efficiency, and Lighting Program (SEEL) awarded $25,000 grants to ten nonprofits and small businesses, facilitating solar installations that are expected to generate over 311,600 kWh of renewable energy in the first year. The program has positively impacted community organizations, reducing their carbon footprint and utility costs. Additionally, the City’s Low Income Solar Program provided funds for solar systems in ten low-income households and pre-purchased solar panels for affordable housing projects, addressing housing costs and energy burdens for vulnerable communities.

In conjunction with community programs, the City has focused on reducing energy consumption and emissions from its facilities. Since 2017, solar installations on 33 City buildings have generated over 16,768,181 kWh of power, resulting in a significant reduction of 13,770.91 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions. The City aims to increase distributed renewable energy to 250,000 MWH by 2030, aligning with its Climate Action Plan. These initiatives, coupled with investments in energy efficiency, waste management, alternative transportation, and electrification, contribute to Bloomington’s goal of becoming a net-zero community by 2050.

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