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Become an AV or Designee

Requirements to Become an Approved Vendor

Approved Vendors are entities approved by the Program Administrator to submit Illinois Shines project applications, which results in contracts to which they are counterparties. AVs have important program responsibilities and requirements, and interested entities must complete and submit an Approved Vendor application form, which will be reviewed and approved by the Program Administrator. The approval process must be completed before any project applications can be submitted by an Approved Vendor to the Program. Prospective Vendors should review these materials which outline how the Program works and requirements for participants: 

Approved Vendor Application

Reference Materials

Program Requirements

What is an Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC)?

Equity Eligible Contractor are Approved Vendors, Designees, or Subcontractors who are majority-owned by an Equity Eligible Person (EEP), as defined under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. 

For more information or if you are interested in becoming an Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC) certified Approved Vendor, Designee, or Subcontractor, please visit the Become an Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC) page.

Visit the EEC page
New in Program Year 2026-27:

Small and Emerging Business Designation

The Small and Emerging Business (SEB) designation was developed with the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act  (CEJA) in 2021 to help new and small businesses navigate the solar energy landscape. The designation was introduced to the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Program later that year. The 2026 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan established the SEB designation in the Illinois Shines Program and added new benefits for SEBs across both programs, including: a lower batch threshold for project submittal, project selection benefits (ILSFA only), and collateral deduction from REC payments (ILSFA only). 

Beginning June 1, 2026, entities acting as or applying to become an Approved Vendor (“AV”) that meet the definition of either a “small” or “emerging” business may  apply for the SEB Designation, with a single SEB registration form for both Illinois Shines and ILSFA. Upon application approval, AVs will receive the SEB designation for both programs. Please note: Single Project Approved Vendors are not eligible for the SEB designation. The qualification requirements for each designation category are outlined below. Please note that applicants may apply for designation as either an “emerging” business OR a “small” business.

Demonstration that an entity is (1) independently owned and operated and (2) had a gross revenue of less than $4 million in the previous calendar year.  

  1. Examples of qualifying documentation showing the business’ ownership structure include:
    • Operating agreement 
    • Another document providing evidence of the entity being independently owned and operated (Document accepted at the Program Administrator’s discretion)
  2. Examples of qualifying documentation showing the business’ gross revenue include:
    • Business income tax returns from the previous year (e.g., IRS Form 1120, 1120S, 1065)  
    • A filed Schedule C from the previous year (Form 1040)  
    • Audited or reviewed financial reports produced by an independent party.   
    • Any other document providing evidence of the entity’s revenue and ownership structure (Document accepted at the Program Administrator’s discretion)

Demonstration that the entity has been authorized to do business in a U.S. state, district, or territory for less than 3 years. Examples of qualifying documentation include:  

  • Certification from a government agency/organization authorizing the entity to conduct business in a state, district, or territory with a date of issuance.  (e.g. Corporation/LLC File Detail Reports or LLC Annual Reports).  
  • An EIN Issuance Letter from the Internal Revenue Service with a date of issuance.  
  • Any other document providing evidence of the entity’s authorization of business (Document accepted at the Program Administrator’s discretion)

Are you a small business looking to get more involved in the clean energy industry in Illinois? See the IPA’s Small & Emerging Business Hub for additional resources and updates.

More information about the Small and Emerging Business Designation can be found in Section 2.J of the Program Year 2026-27 Program Guidebook. Questions about the Small and Emerging Business Designation can be submitted to [email protected].

Apply for the Small and Emerging Business Designation (Available June 1)

Requirements to Become A Designee

Illinois Shines Designees are third-party (i.e. non-Approved Vendor) entities that have direct interaction with end-use customers on behalf of the Approved Vendor or another Designee. Illinois Shines Designee types currently include Disclosure Form Designees, Community Solar Subscriber Agent Designees, Marketing or Sales Designees (including lead generators), Maintenance and Repair Designees, and Installer Designees. Designees of Designees are referred to as Nested Designees and can be registered with the Program Administrator. A list of all Program participants can be found on the Find An AV, Designee, or Subcontractor page.  

To become a Designee for Illinois Shines, please work with your Approved Vendor (or Designee, for prospective Nested Designees) to submit the following documentation to the Program Administrator at [email protected]:

1. Designee Registration Form 

This form must be completed and signed by the Designee registering and submitted by the Approved Vendors (or Designee, for Nested Designees) the Designee is registering under, authorizing the Program Administrator to process the request. Designees are not permitted to self-register under another Program entity.

2. Designee Registration Company Information Form

This form must be completed by the Designee.

3. Illinois Secretary of State Statement of Good Standing dated within the past 12 months (including for any DBAs, if applicable).

4. Minimum Equity Standard Compliance Plan or an Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC) Application

Illinois Shines program participants are required to comply with the Minimum Equity Standard (MES) requirements. More information about this requirement can be found on the Equity Accountability System page and the 2025-26 Program Year MES Compliance Plan Form for new Designees can be submitted, at this link. Designees are required to renew their status annually.

Alternatively, registrants qualifying as an Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC) may submit an EEC application form with their Designee registration. More information on EEC eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found on the Become an Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC) page.   

5. Distributed Generation Installer Certificate with the Illinois Commerce Commission (If applicable) 

If registering as an Installer Designee, the registrant must have an active Distributed Generation (DG) Installer Certificate with the Illinois Commerce Commission at the time of registration. Directions on how to register with the ICC can be found on this page.    

Once all items are submitted, the Illinois Shines Program Administration team will intake and process the Designee registration request and will follow up as needed.  Application review typically takes two to four weeks.