Toyota Boshoku America Launches Major Solar Project in Illinois

Lawrenceville, Illinois – Toyota Boshoku America (TBA) and key project partners hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 28 to celebrate a newly completed 5.7-megawatt solar project. This installation is expected to provide 85% of the electricity needs for TBA’s Illinois manufacturing facility.

The event featured remarks from company officials, local chamber of commerce representatives, and members of Onyx Renewables, the project owner. TBA initiated this effort to stabilize energy costs and contribute to its sustainability goals, responding to rising energy prices and the urgent need to cut carbon emissions.

TBA partnered with Sol Systems to develop the solar farm, strategically located on 17 acres of land next to its Toyota Boshoku Illinois (TBIL) facility. Under a power purchase agreement with Onyx Renewables, TBA will benefit from immediate energy savings without any upfront investment.

“This project is a testament to what’s possible when manufacturers, clean energy developers, and local communities work together toward shared goals,” said Anna Toenjes, associate vice president at Sol Systems. “Toyota Boshoku brought vision and dedication, and we’re proud to have developed a project that will deliver long-term economic and environmental benefits.”

The ground-mounted solar array is projected to generate over 9.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in its first year. This marks TBA’s largest onsite solar installation and is a significant milestone in their pursuit of carbon neutrality.

“We see it as our responsibility to reduce our environmental impact,” said Kenji Sugito, president of TBIL. “With the installation of a large-scale solar panel system, we’re taking a clear step toward more sustainable manufacturing.”

Ryan Hunt, vice president of TBA, added, “This project reflects our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and supporting the communities where we operate. It is also a significant step towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

Onyx Renewables completed the project, which emphasizes workforce development by allocating at least 15% of the labor for apprentices and adhering to prevailing wages. The project also features a pollinator-friendly habitat, developed in consultation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Alyssa Martin, president of Nelnet Renewable Energy, noted, “The project represents a replicable model for how other manufacturers can meet their energy needs while minimizing environmental impact.”