Become an AV or Designee
Designee Renewal
Designees registered prior to the start of the 2025-2026 Program Year will be prompted to renew their status in the Program or indicate their withdrawal from the Program by December 1, 2025. Designees will receive an email with a link to the form on October 17, 2025, a list of required uploads and a unique code and password to access their renewal form. Within the form, they will be required to upload (1) an Illinois Secretary of State Statement of Good Standing dated within the past 12 months (including for any DBAs, if applicable) and (2) training materials and certifications showing that their agents have been trained in accordance with Program requirements, including all applicable sections of the Consumer Protection Handbook. EEC Designees and Subcontractors will have the ability to renew their status and will receive an updated EEC certificate following renewal review. Please see the announcement linked below for further details.
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
- Per the Program Guidebook, Approved Vendors are required to renew their approval once a year, and should complete this Approved Vendor Renewal Application.
Reference Materials
- 2024 Long-Term Plan, including Chapter 7, “Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program)”
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.
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), 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.
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.