As outlined in Section 5 of the Program Guidebook, the Community-Driven Community Solar (“CDCS”) application window closes 90 days after the start of the Program Year. With the Program Year commencing on June 2, 2025, the application submission deadline for Program Year 2025-26 CDCS projects was September 2, 2025. In accordance with the CDCS scoring guidelines previously published in both the 2024 Long-Term Plan (pg. 173) and the Program Guidebook (pg. 166), the Program Administrator scored all CDCS projects submitted during the 90-day application window.
As previously announced, a Random Selection Event will take place on December 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. CPT, to break ties between projects that received the same scores, as those scores would impact project selection or waitlist placement. Please register for the event here.
Projects that receive a minimum score of 10 points will be placed on a waitlist for the 2026-27 Program Year. Projects that received a score less than 10 may reapply during new 45-day application window opening on January 16, 2026, as a result of the modified 2024 Long-Term Plan, or the 2026-27 Program Year 90-day application window, expected to open June 2026. The AV will need to submit a new application, thus new application fees will be applied.
Thank you!
Illinois Shines Program
[email protected]