If legislation that passed the General Assembly is signed into law, the state of Illinois will invest $30 million in solar energy next year. This investment will likely create hundreds of new jobs, generate 15 megawatts of solar energy and reduce pollution.

"Illinois has the second greatest solar energy potential in all the Midwest," said State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), the measure's sponsor, citing information from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. "We've seen wind power take off in the last few years. This investment could kick start a similar revolution in solar energy."

Harmon's legislation would authorize the Illinois Power Agency to tap into an existing renewable energy fund to help finance new and existing solar power projects. Much of the money would likely go to new projects, like installing rooftop solar panels on homes and businesses, improving abandoned industrial sites and constructing solar plants.

In 2009, Illinois passed a law requiring the utilities to buy an increasing amount of solar energy. The Department of Energy estimated that this provision would create more than 20,000 jobs in Illinois.

"Renewable energy is the way of the future," Harmon said. "We can't rely on fossil fuels forever. Right now, we're only tapping into a small part of our state's potential. We can and should do better."

The legislation, House Bill 2427, has passed both chambers of the General Assembly and goes to the governor for further consideration.