Some Champaign-Urbana churches are installing solar panels with help from a new state law promoting carbon-free electricity. A ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday celebrated the installation of solar energy panels at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Urbana. The 81 panels are expected to provide nearly 70 percent of the church’s electricity needs.

On the 21st: The solar panels on one man's Champaign home generate enough electricity for the house and the cars - and feed the grid. Illinois towns and residents are turning toward the sun for power and we talked about howmuch they are saving. Also, a STEM mentorship program helps high school students from across the state get connected with mentors in academia and industry.

Do you own a house, a business, or a farm in Champaign County? If so, you can benefit from a new program sponsored by the City of Urbana that secures a big discount in the price for rooftop solar by bringing consumers together to buy as a group, from a contractor selected through a competitive bidding process.

The new solar farm is the first solar power installation in east central Illinois large enough to be considered "utility grade", generating enough electricity to power 700 average American homes.