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.
| Topic | Last updated |
|---|---|
| Approved Vendor Program Requirements – Annual Checklist | October 31, 2024 |
| Prevailing Wage Requirements | June 14, 2024 |
| Prevailing Wage Walkthrough Video | May 29, 2025 |
| Distributed Generation Project Application Checklist | July 31, 2024 |
| Acceptable Formats for Part II CoC/PTO Documents | August 8, 2024 |
| Traditional Community Solar Part I Application Example | October 17, 2024 |
| How to Determine if Electricity Customer Receives Competitive or Non-Competitive Service | November 8, 2024 |
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.
These resources support use of the Program portal
| Topic | Last updated |
|---|---|
| How to Reset Your Password | September 27, 2022 |
| Portal Overview | July 1, 2025 |
| Topic | Last updated |
|---|---|
| Part I Applications (DG and CS) | March 31, 2025 |
| Part II Applications (DG and CS) | March 31, 2025 |
| Batching | March 31, 2025 |
| Topic | Last Updated |
|---|---|
| Annual Report Guide | May 29, 2025 |
| REC Performance Evaluation | April 17, 2025 |
| REC Performance Calculation Evaluation Walkthrough Video | May 16, 2025 |
| Community Solar Parameters Evaluation Walkthrough Video | May 7, 2025 |
| Annual Report and REC Performance Evaluation Walkthrough | May 16, 2025 |
| Community Solar System Parameters Evaluation (Annual Subscriber Evaluation) | April 17, 2025 |
| Collateral and Performance Assurance | February 26, 2026 |
| Assignment of Product Order or Entire REC Contracts | January 27, 2026 |
| 15 Year REC Delivery Contract – Community Solar Subscriber Verification Overview & Timeline | April 17, 2025 |
| 20 Year REC Delivery Contract – Community Solar Subscriber Verification Overview & Timeline | February 27, 2026 |
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]