Program Help Guides and Application Tips

This page includes Program Help Guides and Application Tips and Tricks designed to help Vendors and their Designees successfully participate in  Illinois Shines. Click on a topic to view a resource, which include PDFs and videos. This page and these materials are revised as Program systems, processes, and the Program portal are updated.

These materials are designed to support all participating entities, regardless of project category that they participate in.  

For additional reference, interested entities may wish to review the Presentation Recordings and slide decks from the 2023-24 Program Year Mentorship Pilot Program which cover a range of topics including Program overview, REC contracting, project applications, ongoing Program requirements, Marketing best practices and consumer protection, and more. 

Disclosure Forms are an important consumer education tool that customers can use to understand key project information and to compare offers. In addition to these materials, the Disclosure Form Deep Dive tool is a helpful resource solar vendors may wish to review.

Topic Last updated
Creating Disclosure Forms in the Portal Between 10/15/24 and 12/31/24 (PDF) October 3, 2024
All Disclosure Forms — CSV Upload Guide (PDF) May 30, 2023
Errors in Filling Out Distributed Generation Disclosure Forms Walkthrough (Video) March 18, 2024
Manage Your Disclosure Forms (PDF) March 31, 2025
Distributed Generation Lease Walkthroughs
DG Lease Disclosure Form Walkthrough (PDF) May 30, 2023
DG Lease Disclosure Form Walkthrough (Video) May 31, 2023
Distributed Generation Purchase Walkthroughs
DG Project Purchase Disclosure Form Walkthrough (PDF) May 30, 2023
DG Project Purchase Disclosure Form Walkthrough (Video) May 18, 2023
Distributed Generation Power Purchase Agreement Walkthroughs
DG Power Purchase Agreement Disclosure Form Walkthrough (PDF) May 30, 2023
DG Power Purchase Agreement Disclosure Form Walkthrough (Video) May 31, 2023
Community Solar Disclosure Form Walkthroughs
Community Solar Disclosure Form Walkthrough (PDF) May 30, 2023
Community Solar Disclosure Form Walkthrough (Video) May 18, 2023

These resources support use of the Program portal  

TopicLast updated
How to Reset Your PasswordSeptember 27, 2022
Portal OverviewJuly 1, 2025
TopicLast updated
Part I Applications (DG and CS)March 31, 2025
Part II Applications (DG and CS)March 31, 2025
BatchingMarch 31, 2025

Application Tips & Tricks Blog

Application Tips & Tricks – Cure Texts Indicating Cure of Current ‘Need Info’ Requests 

During the Need Info request resolution process, an AV may receive an email notification stating “We confirm the current Need Info request(s) have been cured. We will let you know if we need anything further.” This is confirmation that current requests have been cured. However, quality assurance checks may uncover

Application Tips & Tricks – Ensure correct interconnection dates on the Part I application

Part I Section 6 of the project application includes a text field for “Final Interconnection Approval Date (Actual or Estimated).” If the system will be interconnected in the future, please estimate the date of interconnection. If the system has already been built and interconnected, please use the interconnection date provided

Application Tips and Tricks – Ensure accurate and complete Disclosure Form signatures

As a reminder, it is never permissible for an AV to electronically sign a Disclosure Form on behalf of a customer. For documents that are signed electronically, it’s critical to include both the fully executed document, as well as the signature tracking page when uploading to the Portal or emailing

Application Tips and Tricks – Requirement to Note Expansions to Systems Already Under REC Contract

AVs are required to indicate if a project is an expansion to a system that is already under a REC Contract on the application in Part I, Section 2. Expansions to an existing system that is part of the Program must be marked on the application in Part I, Section

Application Tips and Tricks – Sufficient Documentation for Battery Schematics

If a system contains a battery, a battery schematic diagram must be included when submitting the Part II application. The detailed schematic must show that either only solar-generated power can be used to charge the battery, the battery’s output does not run through the meter used to measure solar output,

Application Tips and Tricks – Proof of Interconnection for Large DG Applications

Large DG applications (including EEC and Public Schools) must include Proof of Interconnection as evidence of an agreement with the utility for future interconnection, or proof that interconnection has already taken place.Proof of Interconnection must show the interconnection address, through but not limited to: An Interconnection Agreement signed by both

For assistance within specific project categories, contact the dedicated Sector Strategist, listed here, or the Program Administrator team at [email protected]

Small Distributed Generation

Kaitlin Hogan, at [email protected]

Large Distributed Generation

Stellan Roberts, at [email protected] 

Community Solar (TCS & CDCS)

Jess Blue, at [email protected] 

Public Schools

Brian Keller, [email protected]

Equity Eligible Contractor

Conner Rettig, at [email protected]