Solar Power Installation Finalized at a Shopping Center in the Chicago Region
Chicago TREND and TREND CDC Install Solar Power System at Butterfield Plaza Shopping Center
In a move towards sustainable energy and climate-positive improvements, the Butterfield Plaza Shopping Center in Olympia Fields, IL, has recently completed a solar panel installation. This shopping center, co-owned by Chicago TREND and TREND CDC along with 385 community investors, is one of five such centers set to undergo similar transformations.
The solar power system, with a capacity of 15 kW, was installed over a 10-day period, from procurement to final inspection. The electricity generated will power the owner-controlled common-area operations of the ten stores operating at the center, including restaurants, healthcare services, an ice cream store, a nail salon, and a real estate office.
The solar panel installation serves as a demonstration project for neighborhood retail shopping centers across the country. TREND was awarded a grant from NICI, which subsidized a portion of the project, and they are actively researching programs and seeking grants for additional climate-positive improvements, such as energy-efficient HVAC systems, plantings, and EV charging stations.
The new solar power system has resulted in a reduction in Common Area Maintenance (CAM) charges shared by tenants, thereby lowering the operating expenses for the small businesses at the center. This work aligns with TREND's mission of strengthening neighborhoods and generating positive investment returns.
For most of these local investors, this marks their first time investing in commercial property. Future phases may include larger rooftop arrays and carports, with a potential capacity of up to ~184 kW. However, there is no publicly available detailed information about additional businesses or facilities planned for Butterfield Plaza Shopping Center or any future additions.
The shopping center, located approximately 34 miles south and a little west of the city of Chicago, is part of a broader plan to make similar climate-positive improvements to these shopping centers. TREND is also looking for grants and subsidies to fund more such improvements. The solar system's material and labor cost was $49 K, and the total project cost, including the initial solar assessment and roof replacement, was over $200K. At present, the solar power system does not include battery storage.
Butterfield Plaza Shopping Center is just one example of how businesses can contribute to a greener future while continuing to serve their communities. As more shopping centers adopt sustainable practices, we can expect to see a reduction in carbon emissions and a positive impact on the environment.
Read also:
- Aiming to simplify the move towards cleaner automobiles, the newly established ministry plans to take direct action with Pannier-Runacher, Létard, and Vautrin at the helm.
- "The imperfect yet essential documentary, "Planet of the Humans," raises challenging and uncomfortable inquiries"
- Exciting Escapades of Tintin
- More than half of British homes adhere to insulation standards established during the 1970s.
