A solar farm is taking shape west of the Mary Davis Home in Galesburg — and local residents can subscribe to it to reduce their electric bills without installing a single panel on their property.
Nexamp community liaison Laun Dunn joined Galesburg's Morning News to explain how the Southside Community Solar project works, who is eligible, and what kind of savings residents can expect.
What is community solar?
Unlike traditional solar farms that ship power to distant cities, community solar projects feed directly into the local grid to serve nearby residents. Participation is open to homeowners, renters, and small businesses — no rooftop panels required. Residents of Galesburg, East Galesburg, and Knoxville are all eligible to subscribe.
How does it work?
Subscribers remain Ameren customers. Nexamp analyzes a participant's 12-month Ameren usage history to size their subscription to the appropriate number of panels in the farm. Credits for electricity generated by those panels are applied directly to the subscriber's Ameren bill. Subscribers also receive a separate Nexamp invoice for those credits — at a discounted rate.
How much can residents save?
Savings depend on location and income status. Residents south of Main Street in Galesburg qualify for a 50% discount on the Ameren generation rate. Residents who receive SNAP or other public assistance also qualify for the 50% discount regardless of where they live. Northside residents qualify for a 20% discount. A typical Galesburg household can expect to save between $45 and $50 per month on average.
No upfront costs, no contracts
There is no automatic enrollment — participation is entirely voluntary. There are no upfront costs, no credit checks, and no cancellation fees. Subscribers can opt out at any time.
How to sign up
Residents can learn more and enroll online at nexamp.com/galesburg. Bring your Ameren bill to ensure your subscription is sized accurately to your household usage.
Questions? Call (844) 303-4947.