Dairy Queen Brings Clean Energy to Ice Cream Shops with Clean Earth Renewables

How Dairy Queen Went Green with Clean Earth Renewables and saved big

In a landmark move towards sustainability and operational efficiency, Bob Patel, an Illinois Dairy Queen franchise owner has enrolled nine of his Dairy Queen locations into Clean Earth Renewables’ community solar program. The partnership spans from Rockford to Champaign, connecting beloved DQ storefronts across the state to Clean Earth's local community solar projects, providing clean, cost-effective energy without the need for on-site solar panels.

This strategic decision aligns with the franchise owner's long-standing philosophy of running efficient, forward-thinking businesses. “As a business franchise, it's my duty to ensure I am operating my business as efficiently as possible," a representative of the franchise explained. "That means I'm always finding ways to reduce costs and ensure a reliable service quality to my customers. And with Clean Earth, I've been able to lower my electricity costs at scale with their community solar program. Not only are we contributing to a cleaner economy, we are also earning cost savings for our business as a reward for supporting Illinois' clean energy goals.”

Community Solar: Clean Energy for All

Unlike traditional solar installations, community solar allows residents and businesses to benefit from local solar farms without installing solar panels on their rooftops. Subscribers receive credits on their utility bills for their portion of the solar energy produced, resulting in both cost savings and environmental benefits.

For business owners like Patel, the advantages are clear. With energy costs being one of the largest operational expenses, enrolling in a community solar program provides a hedge against fluctuating utility rates, while also helping reduce carbon emissions. Clean Earth Renewables offers a streamlined experience, managing the subscriber process from enrollment to activation—making clean energy adoption accessible and hassle-free for commercial and residential users alike.

Patel's decision is particularly significant given the scale of his commitment: nine Dairy Queen locations simultaneously enrolled. This demonstrates the viability of community solar for franchise chains and small-to-medium-sized businesses across Illinois.

Driving Business Value Through Sustainability

Community solar isn’t just an environmental win—it’s a sound business decision. Dairy Queen’s partnership with Clean Earth Renewables underscores how sustainability initiatives can drive direct economic benefits. Each of Patel’s DQ stores will benefit from lower energy costs without compromising on daily operations or requiring new infrastructure investments.

In fact, the decision to enroll all nine locations at once was driven by Patel’s desire to lock in available capacity before it disappears. Community solar projects operate on a limited-capacity basis, and availability is allocated on a first-come, first-serve model.

“I think every eligible person and business should take advantage of this while it lasts,” Patel emphasized. “There’s no telling when the next round of openings will be available once these projects fill up. It’s a rare opportunity to do something good for the planet and good for your business at the same time.”

The Clock Is Ticking: Limited Capacity Left in Illinois for 2025

Patel’s call to action comes at a critical time. Clean Earth Renewables expects that only 200 megawatts (MW) of community solar capacity will remain available across Illinois for the rest of 2025. That’s enough to power roughly 30,000 homes—or far fewer businesses with higher energy consumption rates.

This means competition for available subscriptions is heating up fast. Once a project reaches full subscription, new customers must wait for future developments or for current subscribers to move, cancel, or otherwise vacate their space—an infrequent occurrence given the clear financial benefits.

Clean Earth recommends that interested parties act quickly. The fastest way to enroll is to contact their origination team directly at [email protected] to begin the eligibility check and enrollment process.

For added value, Clean Earth even provides an estimated savings reports to all subscribers once their annual energy footprint is allocated to a community solar project.

A Vision for a Clean Energy Future

The significance of Bob Patel’s enrollment decision goes beyond dollars and kilowatts. It sets a precedent for other franchise owners and commercial operators to follow. Clean Earth Renewables is optimistic that more businesses will take similar steps as awareness of the program and its benefits continue to spread.

“Community solar is a key part of Illinois’ path to a cleaner energy future,” said a spokesperson for Clean Earth Renewables. “When business leaders like Bob Patel step up and bring their operations into the fold, it creates a ripple effect that influences their customers, their communities, and their peers.”

By leveraging community solar, businesses aren’t just saving money—they're becoming part of the state’s broader clean energy mission. Illinois has made strong policy commitments to expand renewable energy access through programs like community solar, and participation from both residential and commercial sectors is critical to reaching those goals.

A Simple, Powerful Choice

For Illinois residents and businesses, the message is clear: community solar is an immediate and tangible way to support renewable energy without upfront investment or risk. With limited capacity available and growing demand, early action is the only way to secure a spot.

Bob Patel’s decision to enroll his Dairy Queen locations into Clean Earth Renewables' projects is a compelling case study in how sustainability and sound business strategy go hand in hand.

“We’re proud to serve our customers their favorite treats, and now we’re proud to do it with cleaner, more affordable energy,” said Patel. “This is what smart business looks like today.”

Get Involved Today

If you own a business, manage a franchise, or simply want to support clean energy while lowering your utility bill, now is the time to explore community solar. Availability is limited and rapidly declining as more residents and businesses join the movement.

Reach out today to [email protected] and take the first step toward powering your future with community solar.

Together, with forward-thinking business leaders like Bob Patel, Clean Earth Renewables is helping to build a more sustainable, affordable, and resilient energy future for Illinois.