Frankfort Library Board Moves to Explore Community Solar Power

Frankfort Public Library District Meeting | September 2025

Article Summary: The Frankfort Public Library District is exploring renewable energy options after the Board of Trustees authorized a consultant to seek bids for a community solar program. The move is aimed at reducing the library’s long-term energy costs and taking advantage of sustainable power sources.

Community Solar Initiative Key Points:

• The board authorized the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC) to serve as a broker and consultant for community solar options.

• NIMEC will provide a bid for the library to review, with a potential contract beginning in late 2026 or early 2027.

• The board learned that the typical contract term is 15 years and that other local libraries are also considering similar proposals.

The Frankfort Public Library District Board of Trustees on Thursday, September 25, 2025, took a formal step toward lowering its energy bills by investigating community solar power.

The board unanimously authorized the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC) to act as a broker and consultant in seeking a bid for a community solar contract. Community solar programs allow organizations to receive credit on their electricity bills for power generated by a shared solar array, typically located off-site, without needing to install panels on their own property.

According to a motion made by Trustee Evenhouse and seconded by Trustee Miner, NIMEC will evaluate options and present a bid to the library. The board learned that the lowest term seen for such a contract is 15 years. While an early termination fee could apply, it might be waived if the library were to switch to a different solar contract in the future.

The board noted that even if savings fall below a 10% threshold, the program would still be beneficial to the library’s energy budget. The contract is anticipated to go into effect in late 2026 or early 2027. In response to a board inquiry, NIMEC confirmed that other local libraries are also exploring similar solar proposals. The motion passed unanimously.