• Posted: April 22, 2026

Earth Day highlights the importance of sustainability. Across Chicago, that work is already happening on job sites every day.

Powering Chicago member electrical contractors are upgrading systems, integrating renewable energy, and preparing facilities for evolving energy demands. From large-scale solar installations to EV charging infrastructure and building retrofits, these projects require more than planning. They depend on experienced professionals who understand how to design and install electrical systems that perform safely and reliably.

Industrial Renewable Energy Projects

For large facilities, renewable energy is an operational decision.

At the Abt Electronics campus in Glenview, Powering Chicago member contractor Continental Electrical Construction Company installed a 2.6-megawatt solar system paired with battery storage, generating approximately 3,300 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. The system helps offset energy use, improve resilience, and reduce long-term costs.

Spanning a 1,000,000-square-foot campus, the project required a coordinated approach to modernize existing power systems while supporting long-term sustainability goals. Working alongside Convergence Energy, Continental Electrical designed and installed three solar arrays across multiple buildings, along with battery storage systems that allow the facility to better manage energy usage and support grid stability.

The addition of on-site energy storage strengthens reliability, giving the facility more control over how energy is used and when it is deployed. The result is a system that supports sustainability goals while delivering measurable operational value, including an estimated $400,000 in annual energy savings.

Projects like this require coordination across electrical systems, energy storage, and infrastructure to ensure long-term performance.

Watch the full Power of Better episode to see how this system was designed and installed.

Download our Industrial Renewable Energy Projects fact sheet to learn what’s required, including system planning, electrical infrastructure upgrades, and key considerations for integrating solar, battery storage, and electrification into large-scale facilities.

Solar Energy Integration

Solar energy is becoming a practical solution for facilities looking to manage energy use and improve efficiency. 

In Countryside, Illinois, Powering Chicago member contractor Hy-Power Electric Company helped deliver the state’s first net-zero municipal building. The 35,000-square-foot facility was designed to generate as much energy as it consumes annually, integrating solar power, EV readiness, and energy-efficient building systems into a fully modernized electrical infrastructure.

The project includes more than 600 solar panels generating clean energy for the building, along with systems that return excess power to the grid during peak production. Additional features, such as automated sensors and energy-efficient design elements, help manage energy use and reduce overall demand.

Beyond energy generation, the project reflects how municipalities are preparing for long-term electrification. With EV adoption increasing, facilities like this are being designed to support future charging infrastructure while meeting current performance and safety standards.

These types of retrofitting projects require a detailed understanding of existing infrastructure and the ability to adapt it to new energy demands while maintaining reliable operations.

Watch the full Power of Better episode to see how this net-zero project came together. 

EV Charging Infrastructure

As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, facilities are preparing by installing EV charging infrastructure.

At a dealership in Lincolnwood, Powering Chicago member contractor, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc., installed a 480-volt Level 3 fast charger to support the next generation of electric vehicles. Systems like these allow businesses to meet increasing demand while preparing for long-term electrification.

Delivering EV infrastructure requires more than installation. Electrical capacity must be evaluated, systems must be designed to scale, and infrastructure must be integrated into existing operations without disrupting performance.

To support this demand, contractors are also adopting new construction methods. At Continental Electrical Construction Company’s prefabrication facility, electrical components are assembled off-site using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and lean construction principles. This approach improves safety, reduces material waste, and accelerates installation timelines, helping projects move from planning to operation more efficiently.

As EV adoption continues to increase, facilities need charging systems that are built to perform reliably today while accommodating future growth.

Watch the full Power of Better episode to see EV charging infrastructure installation in action.

Explore EV charging infrastructure and installation requirements by reading our Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installations resources here. 

Advancing Renewable Energy Through Innovation

Renewable energy projects continue to evolve as new technologies and approaches are introduced across the industry.

Powering Chicago member contractor 93Energy is one example of how companies are adapting to meet growing demand for solar and energy infrastructure. What began as a solar construction business has expanded into a broader focus on clean energy systems, including battery storage and emerging technologies.

In addition to large-scale projects, the company is helping schools and local organizations transition to solar energy, demonstrating how renewable energy can be applied across a range of facilities.

As the industry continues to change, contractors are also integrating new tools to improve how projects are delivered. From using AI to streamline planning and research to exploring battery storage and hybrid energy systems, these efforts are helping teams work more efficiently while preparing for what comes next.

This combination of skilled labor, advanced technology, and real-world application enables renewable energy projects to move forward at scale.

Learn more about solar energy systems, how they’re being implemented across Chicago, and explore Powering Chicago’s solar resources to help you get started.

Retrofitting Existing Buildings

Most buildings weren’t designed for today’s energy demands. Retrofitting allows facilities to upgrade electrical systems and integrate new technologies without starting from scratch.

At the American College of Chest Physicians headquarters (CHEST) in Glenview, Powering Chicago member contractor Hardt Electric installed a 560-panel solar system that now provides approximately one-third of the building’s power. The installation helps reduce energy costs while supporting long-term operational efficiency.

Projects like this are part of a broader shift across Chicago, where electrical contractors are delivering infrastructure that supports both sustainability and performance. From solar-powered facilities to complex electrical systems in public and commercial environments, these projects require careful coordination, technical expertise, and a skilled workforce to execute successfully.

In healthcare and other critical environments, solar systems must be integrated into existing infrastructure without compromising reliability. That means aligning system design with structural requirements, coordinating with electrical distribution systems, and ensuring the installation supports ongoing operations.

Download our Retrofitting fact sheet to understand how electrical system upgrades support energy efficiency, infrastructure modernization, and the integration of new technologies.

Watch the full Power of Better episode to see how solar systems are integrated into real facilities.

A Connected Approach to Energy

Across Chicago, the shift toward renewable energy is being carried out through projects that upgrade infrastructure, integrate new technologies, and prepare facilities for future demand.

These efforts require coordination across electrical systems to ensure everything works together efficiently and reliably. From planning through installation, experienced contractors play a critical role in delivering systems that perform as intended.

Powering Chicago contractors bring the expertise needed to execute this work safely, efficiently, and at scale.

If you’re planning a project, having the right team in place is critical.

Find a qualified contractor for your next project by using Powering Chicago’s Find a Contractor Tool.