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Project Extensions and Removals

Each project that is Part I verified in the Illinois Shines program is required to be Energized (Part II Verified) within a designated number of months, beginning at the date that the project was approved for a REC Contract by the Illinois Commerce Commission (“Trade Date”). The deadline for Part II Verification, as specified in the REC Contract, is referred to as the Scheduled Energization Date (“Energization Date”). The Energization Date can be found in the project’s most recent Schedule A.

If within 180 days (6 months) of the Energization Date, an Approved Vendor (“AV”) determines their project will not reach Part II Verification on time, an Extension Request may be made to the IPA through the form below. This includes projects Part II submitted that have not reached Verification prior to the Energization Date. More information about the extension process and how to request an extension can be found in this guide.

Scheduled Energization Date Extension Request Form

This form allows Approved Vendors (“AVs”) to submit extension requests for projects participating in Illinois Shines with upcoming Energization Dates. Submissions for single or multiple projects can be made at once, so long as all extension requests are made under the same Approved Vendor ID, contracting utility, and REC Contract clause.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Extension requests can be submitted for any project within 180 days of its Scheduled Energization Date. Requests submitted weeks or months before their Energization Date will be reviewed and processed at the closest upcoming Energization Date to the request submission.

(Updated June 2026)

New Energization Dates are calculated based on a project’s existing Energization Date, not the date the extension request is submitted or approved. For example, if a project has an Energization Date of June 30, 2026, and requests a 6‑month extension on May 13, 2026, the new Energization Date will be December 31, 2026—six months from the June deadline, rounded to the last business day of that month.

(Updated June 2026)

Yes, multi-project submissions are possible via the Extension Request form. However, all projects included in the request must be:

Under one Approved Vendor – Projects can only be submitted together if they share the same Approved Vendor (AV). Even if the projects use Single Project Approved Vendors (SPAVs) under the same parent company, each SPAV is considered a separate AV. As a result, each project must have its own extension request submitted individually.

Contracted by the same Buyer (Contracting Utility) – All projects included in the request must be contracted under the same utility. Note, projects may have different contract and interconnection utilities. Ensure the contracting utility and not interconnection utility is referenced.

Referencing one Contract Clause – All projects included in the request must cite the same contract clause. For processing purposes, Sections 5(b)(v) and 2.4(b)(iii) are considered different contract clauses, despite both being “Good Cause Extension” clauses. Reference Section 5(b) of the 2019 REC Contract and Section 2.4(b) of the 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2026 REC Contracts for all extension clauses.

(Updated June 2026)

The Illinois Shines REC Delivery contracts contain several provisions for requesting extensions of system Energization deadlines under sections 5(b) of the 2019 contract and 2.4(b) of the 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2026 contracts. To review examples of these contracts, visit the Program Documents page of the Illinois Shines website and navigate to “REC Contracts.”

Under Section 5(b)(v) of the 2019 REC Contract and Section 2.4(b)(iii) of the 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2026 REC Contracts, Approved Vendors can request a ‘Good Cause Extension’ of the original Scheduled Energization Date. Good Cause Extensions are considered and granted by the Illinois Power Agency (“IPA”).

Examples of acceptable reasons to request an extension under the good cause provision include, but are not limited to:

  • Delays associated with processing of permit requests or addressing regulatory requirements
  • Limited workforce availability
  • Supply chain shortage or shipping delays for vital products, provided such reasons are not primarily caused by the Approved Vendor’s actions

Delays resulting from interconnection and, in the case of Community Solar projects, subscriber acquisition are not encompassed by the Good Cause Extension clause. These requests should be made under one of the preceding clauses and are handled by the project’s respective contracting utility. These requests require a refundable payment in order to complete the request. Please review the project’s REC Contract thoroughly before requesting an extension to ensure the correct clause is cited.

(Updated June 2026)

Extensions can be requested for 3, 6, 9, or 12 months in length. As stated in Appendix K, page 215, of the Program Guidebook, the IPA requests extensions be at least 3 months in length to assist with Program administration. There is no penalty for requesting an extension of up to 12 months, and it can often be beneficial to both AVs and the IPA to have a longer extension, as this avoids subsequent requests. AVs should request the length that seems most appropriate given the circumstances causing the project development or Part II Verification delay.

(Updated June 2026)

As provided in the REC Contract, failure to reach Part II Verification or submit an Extension Request by the Scheduled Energization Date places a project at risk for removal. If the Approved Vendor still plans to complete the project, they are encouraged to submit an Extension Request even after the Energization Date has passed. The IPA will review and may approve late Extension Requests at its discretion.

(Updated June 2026)

Project Removals

If an AV determines it will not be moving forward with a project a Project Removal request must be made to the project’s respective Contracting Utility via email, AVs must provide the following details in their request: 

  • Designated System ID # 
  • Reason for Removal: The REC Contracts establishes removal reasons with applicable removal codes. A guide to the alphabetic codes for the 2019 REC Delivery Contract is available on the Program Documents Page under REC Contract and in Attachment A to the Schedule D – Designated System Removal Notice for the 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2026 REC Delivery Contracts. AVs should provide the appropriate removal code and a brief description of the circumstances requiring the project to be removed from its REC Contract. Vendors should note in their narrative if the removal is occurring in relation to any of the following:  
    • Size Change 
    • Prior to Energization Date 
    • Post Energization Date 
    • Other 

Once the request is submitted, the project’s Contracting Utility will begin the removal and will work with AVs through the rest of the process. 

Illinois Shines Contracting Utility Emails:

Ameren Illinois [email protected]
ComEd wb&[email protected]
MidAmerican [email protected]