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  "path": "/money/2026/03/04/chicago-construction-clayco-solar-power-energy-business",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-04T22:52:49.406Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>Clayco, a Chicago-based construction firm, on Wednesday launched a new business unit to focus on large solar energy and storage projects nationwide.<b> </b></p><p>Clayco Power and Energy, led by Ryan Johnson, will add nearly 1,000 employees across the U.S. by 2027 and is expected to generate about $300 million in annual revenue. </p><p>The new unit will provide design, engineering, construction and procurement for solar energy and battery storage to companies, utilities and other partners. Clayco is currently designing a solar and battery storage system on 350 acres in Manteno, about an hour south of Chicago. Construction is scheduled to start this June.</p><p>The launch of Clayco Power and Energy comes as U.S. electricity demand is projected to grow 15% to 20% by 2030, due to the rapid growth of data centers, manufacturing facilities, electrification of transportation and residential growth, the company said. Last year, 85% of all new electric generating capacity came from solar energy and battery storage, according to Clayco.</p><p>“Ultimately, solar must be part of the solution. Solar energy is the fastest type of power to bring to the market, and should be part of a multivariable approach, along with fossil fuels, natural gas and nuclear, to address America’s growing energy needs,” Clayco CEO Anthony Johnson said.</p><p>As AI and advanced technology create more demand on the U.S. energy grid, “leveraging all forms of energy, including solar, is critical to technological innovation, the U.S. economy and our long-term national security,” Johnson said.</p><p>Clayco’s announcement came even as many clean energy sectors are threatened by new federal policies that cut incentives such as tax credits. Tariffs have also increased costs and economic uncertainty.</p><p>President Donald Trump’s <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2025/07/03/congress-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-what-it-means\" >One Big Beautiful Bill Act</a>, signed into law last year, gutted federal support for solar and wind. Many solar companies have faced challenges, such as Chicago-based <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/small-business/2026/01/31/sunvest-solar-renewable-energy-bram-walter\" target=\"_blank\" >SunVest</a>.</p><p>Forecasts after the passage of new regulations showed the U.S. is on track to lose up to 55 gigawatts of solar by 2030. That includes a 14% collapse in Illinois, the nation’s 10th largest solar market, according to a September report from the Solar Energy Industries Association.</p><p>Because of Trump’s tax and spending bill, more than 830,000 clean energy jobs nationwide could be lost by 2030, a September report from the nonpartisan business group <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/energy/2025/09/24/federal-clean-energy-policies-illinois-companies\" >E2</a> said.</p><p>But solar companies got a boost when Illinois last year passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act that creates incentives for electrical grid batteries and other renewable energy. Batteries — energy storage for solar arrays — help address lapses in solar energy when there’s no sunshine.</p><p>Johnson said the launch of Clayco Power and Energy isn’t tied to “a particular piece of legislation” but is part of the company’s larger push<b> </b>into the fast-growing energy sector.</p><p>Clayco has been headquartered in the Loop since 2013. The company has more than 3,800 employees nationwide, with about 1,600 in Chicago. It earned more than $7.6 billion in annual revenue last year.</p>",
  "title": "Chicago-based construction firm Clayco launches solar energy business",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-04T23:14:25.759Z"
}