In March, the IPA and its Program Administrators launched the Homeowner Handout series to help educate consumers about the decision to go solar and provide resources to help them make informed, confident decisions about going solar with Illinois Shines. The first resource in the series, Selecting a Solar Company: Green and Red Flags is designed to help consumers understand what to look for as you talk to solar companies, how to use Disclosure Forms to compare specific offers, and finally, how to select a solar company to contract with, and is available in both English and Spanish versions.
The latest resource, Solar Loan Financing, is now available in English and Spanish. This resource notes that there are many different ways homeowners can pay for solar projects, and provides information on types of loans, questions to consider, things to look out for, and other useful tips when considering a solar loan.
Consumer protection is a key pillar of Illinois Shines, helping ensure Program participants have necessary information and safeguards for a positive Program experience. The Program enforces strict requirements for participating entities, outlined in the Program Guidebook and Consumer Protection Handbook, and requires use of standardized Disclosure Forms prior to contracting to help consumers understand the details of proposed solar projects (or subscriptions for community solar), including expected output, costs and fees, expected savings and any Program incentives that may be passed through. When issues arise, the Program actively fields and investigates complaints, taking action against violators to uphold Program requirements, and supporting customers who may have been harmed. In May 2025, the Illinois Power Agency and its Program Administrator launched the Solar Restitution Program. These supports, guardrails, and other innovations are discussed in a monthly Consumer Protection Working Group.
The Homeowner Handout series joins a growing library of consumer resources at the Illinois Shines website, including Introduction to Illinois Shines: Solar Basics and More, the Disclosure Forms Deep Dive tool, Program Violations Reports and Consumer Complaints Reports, Help for Stranded Customers resources, Consumer FAQs, and the Program’s Complaint Center.
For more information, visit the Illinois Shines website or contact the Program Administrator at [email protected].