As a result of the Modified 2024 Long-Term Plan, the Program will open an additional 45-day Community-Driven Community Solar (“CDCS”) application window on January 16, 2026, regardless of capacity availability as of that date. The application submission deadline for the CDCS 45-day window is March 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CPT. Applications are not accepted after the close of the 45-day window.
Submitted projects will be reviewed and scored in accordance with the CDCS scoring guidelines previously published in both the 2024 Long-Term Plan (pg. 173) and the Program Guidebook (pg. 166). Once scores are finalized, projects that have a minimum score of 10 points will be placed on a waitlist for when capacity becomes available.
Any project that is submitted during the 45-day application window and qualifies for the waitlist will be placed behind projects submitted during the initial 90-day application window, regardless of score.
Thank you!
Illinois Shines Program
[email protected]