Ameresco Completes 1.5 MW Solar Project for Cook County Courthouse — Ameresco, Inc.

Event summary

Ameresco completed a 1.5 MW solar installation at the Skokie Courthouse, generating ~1,737 MWh annually.
The project offsets over 50% of the facility’s electricity consumption, cutting ~722 metric tons of CO₂e yearly.
Ameresco secured eight additional solar projects with Cook County, totaling 3.3 MW, due by November 2027.
The installation leveraged underutilized rooftop and parking garage space without disrupting courthouse operations.

The big picture

Ameresco’s Skokie Courthouse project underscores the growing trend of public institutions adopting on-site renewable energy to meet decarbonization targets. The deal highlights Ameresco’s ability to monetize underutilized municipal infrastructure, a strategy likely to gain traction as governments prioritize energy independence and cost stability. With eight more projects in the pipeline, the partnership signals Cook County’s commitment to scaling solar capacity ahead of its 2030 emissions goals.

What we're watching

Pipeline Expansion: Whether Ameresco can sustain its project pipeline with Cook County beyond the 2027 deadline.
Execution Risk: The pace at which Ameresco delivers the eight additional solar projects.
Regulatory Tailwinds: How Cook County’s 2030 sustainability goals may accelerate similar public-sector solar projects.