Michael Harrington
About this author
Michael Harrington is an energy policy analyst with more than 12 years of experience covering utility regulation, electricity markets, and energy infrastructure development across the Midwest. His work focuses on deregulated energy markets, grid modernization, consumer energy choice, and state-level policy reform. Before joining the editorial team, Michael worked alongside utility consultants and public policy organizations analyzing the impact of renewable energy integration and evolving energy legislation in Illinois. He is passionate about helping consumers better understand how energy markets work and how policy decisions affect everyday utility costs, reliability, and sustainability.
Projects
Community Solar: The County Line & Bemes Road Expansions
Community solar is rapidly reshaping how Illinois residents access clean energy — especially for those who cannot install rooftop panels themselves. In Will County, the County Line and Bemes Road community solar expansions, developed by Luminace, are bringing more than 9 megawatts (MW) of new renewable capacity directly to local subscribers. These projects represent a…
March 2, 2026
Projects
Utility-Scale Giants: Inside the Prairie Solar Project (Champaign County)
Illinois’ clean energy transformation is accelerating, and few projects better illustrate that momentum than the Prairie Solar Project in Champaign County. Developed by BayWa r.e., this massive 183-megawatt (MW) solar installation spans approximately 800 acres and represents one of the most significant utility-scale renewable developments in the region. As the project moves toward completion this…
March 2, 2026
Projects
Agrivoltaics in Action: The Green River Solar Project (Henry County)
Illinois is proving that clean energy development and agriculture do not have to compete for land. In Henry County, the Green River Solar Project demonstrates how agrivoltaics — the practice of combining solar energy production with agricultural use — can deliver environmental, economic, and community benefits simultaneously. By integrating 6.5 megawatts (MW) of solar generation…
March 2, 2026
Projects
Brownfield Reclamation: Lockport East & West (Will County)
Across Illinois, former industrial sites are finding new purpose as clean energy assets. One of the most compelling examples is the Lockport East & West project in Will County — a 37-acre former oil refinery site transformed into an 8.6-megawatt (MW) solar energy installation. This project represents more than just renewable power generation. It demonstrates…
March 2, 2026
Grid Today
How Distributed Generation (DG) is Changing Local Power Grids
Distributed generation (DG) is transforming the way electricity is produced, delivered, and consumed across communities — including here in Illinois. Unlike traditional centralized power plants that feed energy into a large, regional grid, distributed generation refers to smaller-scale electricity sources located close to where power is used. Common forms include rooftop solar, small wind systems,…
March 2, 2026
Grid Today
The Nuclear Backbone: Why 54% of Our Power is Already Zero-Carbon
Illinois stands out on the national energy map for one key reason: more than half of the state’s electricity comes from zero-carbon sources. While wind and solar often dominate public discussions about clean energy, a quieter but more powerful force has long anchored Illinois’ grid — nuclear power. Today, nuclear generation provides an essential backbone…
March 2, 2026
Grid Today
Wind vs. Solar: Which Renewable is Winning the Illinois Grid?
Illinois is in the midst of a clean energy transformation, and two renewable sources stand out on the state’s electric grid: wind and solar. Both technologies have experienced rapid growth over the past decade, but they each bring different strengths and challenges to Illinois’ energy mix. In this article, we’ll break down where wind and…
March 2, 2026
Projects
Funding Options for Projects
Finding money for your energy project can feel like a tough journey. It's like trying to find your way through a maze with many twists and turns. You see lots of acronyms like ITC, GA, and PV, each promising to help you move forward.This is your guide through the maze. We're not here to promise…
February 15, 2026