Following the ICC’s approval of the 2026 Long-Term Plan and the signing of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (“CRGA”) into law, the IPA has begun drafting the 2026 REC Contract. The draft 2026 REC Contract is expected to be posted for stakeholder comment on April 17, 2026, with all comments due by May 1, 2026. The final versions of the 2026 REC Contracts will be posted on June 1, 2026. The new 2026 REC Contract will be used for any applications approved by the ICC starting June 1, 2026, regardless of application submission date.
The final ICC meeting approving projects under the 2024 REC Contracts will be May 21, 2026. Projects must be Part I Verified by May 3, 2026, to be included in the ICC submission for approval at this meeting. Please bear in mind that applications must be verified—not just submitted — by May 3, 2026, to be eligible under the 2024 REC Contract. While the Program is currently processing Part I applications within 10 business days, a spike in application submissions may result in longer processing times. Though the Program cannot guarantee verification of Part I applications by May 3, participating entities are encouraged to submit Part I applications for the 2024 REC Contract as soon as possible, and to be responsive to Need Info requests and all communication from the Program Administrator.
Additional information about important changes to the Small DG REC payment schedule under 2026 REC Contracts (including a change to 50% payment at Energization, with the remainder paid ratably over the subsequent 6 years), the new $20 Customer-Owned REC Adder, and more information will be forthcoming. Small DG projects receiving 2025-26 capacity not Part I verified by May 3, 2026, will receive Program Year 2025-26 REC Pricing but will be subject to the new payment schedule introduced under the 2026 REC Contract.
Thank you!
Illinois Shines Program
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