Carbondale, Illinois-based hospital system Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) is raising the stakes on its commitment to sustainability through new long-term community solar agreements with Nexamp.
SIH will save an estimated $119,000 per year while directly supporting the growth of clean energy on the grid. The organization is subscribing to three of Nexamp’s community solar farms in Illinois: Pope Creek Solar in Aledo, Mound City Solar in Mound City, and Percy Renewables 1 in Percy. SIH’s energy advisor, E4, presented the opportunity as a cost-effective way to advance the health network’s mission.
“As a not-for-profit organization, our priority is ensuring each dollar goes as far as possible in achieving our mission to improve the health and well-being of all the people in communities we serve,” said Dan Boeckman, SIH corporate director of facilities. “Participating in a community solar program enables us to be good stewards of our financial resources while also contributing to the growth of much needed clean energy across Illinois. Healthcare means providing world-class medical services and it also means caring for the environment. Community solar meets our needs so we can meet the needs of our patients.”
The Nexamp solar farm will generate bill credits for every kilowatt-hour of energy produced. These credits will be applied to SIH electricity accounts in the Ameren service territory, offsetting its costs dollar for dollar. Each credit will be sold at a guaranteed fixed discount for the life of the agreement, providing predictable savings year over year.
“We see how important it is today for healthcare institutions to manage costs, but at the same time we are hearing how important sustainability is in their long-term strategies,” said Joe Fiori, Director of Energy Sales, Nexamp. “This agreement with SIH gives them another tool they can use to maintain a leadership position in the region. Patient care is the top priority and we are pleased we can help our healthcare clients focus on what matters.”
SIH is a not-for-profit health system that serves the southernmost counties of Illinois with four hospitals, a comprehensive cancer center, Level II Trauma Center and more than 30 outpatient and specialty practices. It is the region’s largest private employer with 4,000 employees and the largest provider of charity care, unreimbursed care and community benefits.
Tags: Community Solar, energy cost savings, Nexamp
