From Handbags to Megawatts: Tapestry's Green Power Play in Illinois

PEORIA, Ill. – January 08, 2026 – A new partnership between luxury brand house Tapestry, Inc. and renewable energy provider Pivot Energy is bringing nearly 15 megawatts of clean power online in Illinois, demonstrating a significant trend where major corporations are underwriting local green initiatives to meet ambitious global sustainability targets. The two companies announced today the completion of three community solar projects in Peoria, Dover, and Ottawa, marking a major milestone in a 15-year agreement that intertwines corporate environmental strategy with tangible community investment.

The newly energized solar farms, with a combined capacity of 13.475 megawatts (MWac), are expected to generate over 23,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually—enough to power approximately 2,500 Illinois homes. These projects are the first of a five-project portfolio developed, owned, and operated by Pivot Energy. Tapestry, the parent company of iconic brands Coach and Kate Spade, will purchase the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) generated by the projects, a move that bolsters its recently achieved goal of using 100% renewable electricity across its global operations.

A New Fabric for Corporate Responsibility

For Tapestry, Inc., the investment represents a key component of its broader "Fabric of Change" corporate responsibility strategy. The company announced in December 2025 that it had successfully transitioned to 100% renewable electricity for all its stores, offices, and fulfillment centers worldwide. The long-term agreement with Pivot Energy solidifies this claim by directly supporting the addition of new clean energy capacity to the U.S. grid.

This strategy is crucial for a global retailer with a vast and distributed real estate portfolio. Unlike manufacturers with large, owned facilities suitable for on-site solar, companies like Tapestry often rely on leased spaces in shopping malls and urban centers, making direct power purchase agreements (PPAs) or on-site generation impractical. Purchasing RECs from specific, new-build community solar projects offers a flexible yet impactful alternative. It allows the company to verifiably match its electricity consumption with green power while ensuring its investment contributes to "additionality"—the principle that the renewable project may not have been built without such financial support.

Tapestry's commitment is backed by aggressive, science-based targets validated in 2024, which include slashing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 64% by 2030 and achieving net-zero across its entire value chain by 2050.

"These Illinois solar projects mark a significant milestone in Tapestry's renewable energy strategy," said Logan Duran, Global Head of ESG & Sustainability at Tapestry, Inc. "This collaboration demonstrates how we're integrating sustainability into the way we operate, investing in solutions that deliver measurable impact for our business and the planet."

Powering Local Economies and Green Careers

Beyond the environmental benefits, the partnership is designed to deliver direct economic and social returns to the Illinois communities hosting the solar farms. Pivot Energy has committed more than $115,000 in community investments across the five-project portfolio. Nearly $65,000 of that has already been directed to two key local organizations: Illinois Central College (ICC) and the workforce development non-profit HIRE360.

These funds are seeding the next generation of green-collar workers. At Illinois Central College, the donation supports the "Solar Pipeline Training Program," an initiative that equips students with job-readiness skills and technical training in photovoltaic systems, culminating in eligibility for industry-recognized credentials like the NABCEP Associate exam and OSHA-10 certification.

"On behalf of Illinois Central College, we extend our deepest gratitude to Pivot Energy for its generous support of our solar program," stated Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, President of the college. "Its partnership is not only helping us move towards a more sustainable future, but also empowering our students with the knowledge and tools they need to lead the way in renewable energy."

Similarly, Pivot's contribution to HIRE360 fuels its "Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program." This program focuses on creating pathways into unionized clean-energy construction trades, with a particular emphasis on transitioning workers from fossil fuel industries and empowering underrepresented groups, including women and minorities.

"Its support will help us advance workforce pathways into the solar industry," said Jay Rowell, Executive Director of HIRE360. "Together, we're creating opportunities and driving a more inclusive renewable energy future."

A Blueprint for Growth in a Supportive Market

The Pivot-Tapestry collaboration is flourishing within a fertile regulatory landscape. Illinois has become a hotbed for solar development, thanks largely to the Illinois Shines program. This state-administered incentive program, managed by the Illinois Power Agency, provides a stable market for RECs and is designed to spur the growth of community and distributed solar projects.

The program's structure is critical for projects like these. It provides long-term REC contracts that give developers like Pivot Energy the financial certainty needed to secure financing and build new facilities. Furthermore, Illinois Shines incorporates strong equity provisions, such as a "Minimum Equity Standard" and a Mentorship Program, to ensure the benefits of the clean energy transition are distributed broadly, aligning with the community-focused ethos of Pivot's B-Corporation certified model.

The success of this model highlights a strategic evolution in how corporations approach their renewable energy goals. While direct ownership and PPAs remain popular, the community solar REC model offers a compelling blend of environmental impact, community co-benefits, and brand enhancement.

"Pivot is thrilled to partner with Tapestry on this Illinois portfolio," commented Liz Reddington, Vice President of Development at Pivot Energy. "It demonstrates how companies are continuing to advance renewable energy solutions while providing support to local communities for workforce development, education, and more."

With the first three projects now feeding clean power into the grid and two more slated for completion by 2030, this partnership serves as a powerful example of how corporate sustainability commitments can translate from boardroom targets into steel, glass, and jobs on the ground.