Advancing energy independence and local impact
Press Releases
Steve Raeder, Chairman/CEO of Summit Ridge, Named Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Mid-Atlantic Finalist by EY US
EY US celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs shaping the future of business Steve Raeder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ARLINGTON, VA (May 12, 2026) – Steve Raeder, Chairman/CEO of Summit Ridge Energy, has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Mid-Atlantic Award by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US). Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders […]
Summit Ridge Energy and Black Bear Energy Celebrate a New Illinois Shines Community Solar Rooftop Project Hosted by LBA Logistics
Melrose Park Rooftop Project Delivers Energy Savings to Low-Income Households in an Illinois Environmental Justice Community Illinois Shines program supports a 1.62 MW rooftop community solar project in Melrose Park, IL 2 million kWh generated annually, powering 200+ homes and delivering 10–20% utility bill savings to subscribers Located in an Environmental Justice and Energy Community, […]
News Stories & Blogs
Why Real Estate Diligence Makes or Breaks Commercial Solar Projects
Amy Fox, Vice President of Real Estate Services Commercial solar has a land problem. This problem isn’t a shortage of land but a shortage in how developers evaluate the land they’ve already located. After years of reviewing site control packages, title commitments, surveys, and lease agreements for solar projects, I’ve seen this play out the same way more than once. Solar developers are, understandably, […]
IESNA Midwest Show Floor Spotlight: Summit Ridge Energy on Scale, Storage & Building a Local Talent Pipeline
During Intersolar & Energy Storage North America (IESNA) Midwest, Digital Editor Krista Simicich spoke with Brent Buchberger, Vice President of Project Development at Summit Ridge Energy, about the company’s growth, its approach to workforce development, and his take on the challenges currently shaping the industry. Buchberger laid out two main reasons Summit Ridge showed up […]
In the News
Illinois Shines / Illinois Power Agency: [Case Study] Rockford, IL Achieves Affordable Clean Energy and Community Benefits Through Innovative Illinois Shines Solar Development
This Community-Driven-Community-Solar case study was originally published by the Illinois Power Agency. To view the Illinois Shines Program’s case studies, please visit the About page on the Program website Excerpt: For communities like Rockford, renewable energy projects provide more than clean, sustainable energy. They also create new jobs, economic activity, engagement with community organizations and partners, positive environmental impacts, and more. This case study highlights […]
BriefGlance: Summit Ridge Energy Lands $290M to Expand US Commercial Solar Fleet
Summit Ridge Energy 2.4 MW solar project in Braidwood, Illinois. Summit Ridge Energy, a major U.S. commercial solar developer, has secured a $290 million financing facility from global banking giant MUFG. The deal marks the fifth and latest collaboration between the two firms, pushing their total joint financing to nearly $1 billion and signaling deep […]








Social