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Language reflecting the existing process and requirements for an AV to change its registration status to “inactive” or “withdrawn”;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
As defined in the Program Guidebook, 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 includes a variety of Designee types, including Disclosure Form Designee, Community Solar Subscriber Agent Designee, Marketing or Sales Designees (including lead generators), and Installer Designee. The Agency reserves the right to add additional categories as needed. More information can be found at the Find An AV, Designee, or Subcontractor page.
To become a Designee for the Illinois Shines program, please work with your Approved Vendor to complete this form, and send the completed and signed form to [email protected].
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.