Become an AV or Designee
Requirements to Become an Approved Vendor
To become an Approved Vendor, interested entities need to 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
- Program Guidebook
- Consumer Protection Handbook
- Distributed Generation Contract Requirements
- Community Solar Contract Requirements
- Illinois Shines Process Guide
- 2024 Long-Term Plan, including Chapter 7, “Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program)”
- Minimum Equity Standard
- Prevailing Wage Requirements
As outlined in the Program Guidebook, Approved Vendors are required to renew their approval once a year, and should complete this Approved Vendor Renewal Application.
December 2023 Stakeholder Feedback Request – AV Application
The Program Administrator proposes to update the current AV application to improve clarity and relevance, incorporate questions on demographic information the Agency is required to collect from AVs, and reflect the application’s use for verifying Equity Eligible Contractors.
- The Program Administrator is also proposing to update Section 2 of the Program Guidebook with the following edits related to AV applications:
- A new requirement that AVs must promptly submit a renewal application if there is a transfer of ownership of 50% or more of the entity, or if there is a new basis for the AV to answer “yes” to one of the questions in the Company and Affiliate History section (formerly referred to as the Legal and Regulatory section);
- Language reflecting the existing process and requirements for an AV to change its registration status to “inactive” or “withdrawn”;
- Clarification that an AV may not simply fail to renew its application and failure to renew may lead to disciplinary action, which may also apply to an entity’s participation in Illinois Shines as a Designee (if applicable);
- Revision of Section 2.D – Evaluation Criteria for Approved Vendors; and
- Clarification about how conditional application approvals are handled.
- The Program Administrator seeks feedback on the proposed updated AV application and the proposed edits to Section 2 of the Program Guidebook.
Stakeholder feedback is due January 11, 2024 and should be submitted to [email protected].
View the proposed, redlined AV Application and Program Guidebook Section 2 updates
By January 11, 2024 the Program administrator did not receive any feedback and the Approved Vendor application update was incorporated in the Program Guidebook released April 18, 2024 to be used for the 2024-25 Program Year starting on June 3, 2024.
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. The Agency reserves the right to add additional categories as needed. Designees of Designees are referred to as Nested Designees and can be registered with the Program Administrator, nested underneath the Designee(s) with which they work. 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 complete the Designee Registration Form. The completed and signed Form must be submitted to the Program Administrator, along with the following documents, to [email protected] by the Approved Vendors (or Designee, for Nested Designees) authorizing the Program Administrator to process the request. Designees are not permitted to self-register.
1.
Illinois Secretary of State Statement of Good Standing dated within the past 12 months
2.
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 and the MES Compliance Plan Form can be found on the Equity Accountability System page.
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.
3.
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.
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.
