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
- 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 complete the Designee Registration Form. The completed and signed form must be submitted to the Program Administrator, 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.
Illinois Secretary of State Statement of Good Standing dated within the past 12 months
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.
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.
