Illinois Shines Program Completes Large-Scale Website Refresh to Improve User Experience
As announced in January, the new Illinois Shines website this Winter undertook its largest refresh since its July 2023 re-launch. Since the 2023 re-launch – a centerpiece of the Program’s brand refresh and transformation of two public websites – the site has continuously added a high volume of resources and information to support consumers, participating solar entities, and […]
Homeowner Handout Series: Helping Consumers Go Solar with Confidence
The Illinois Power Agency prioritizes educating consumers about the decision to go solar and providing resources to increase their knowledge and help protect them against predatory and problematic vendor practices, including misleading marketing, contract confusion, and financial risks. Illinois Shines today launches the Homeowner Handout Series, part of an expanding consumer resource library designed to […]
Illinois Shines Program Announces New Stakeholder Resources, Data Reporting and Website Enhancements
The Illinois Shines program announces the release of resources and materials to enhance the stakeholder experience, including new consumer-oriented collateral, enhancements to the Program website, and the launch of the Illinois Shines Data Report. The materials reflect the Program’s ongoing commitment to educating and supporting consumers and other stakeholders about opportunities and benefits of going […]
Changes to Illinois Net Metering Bill Credits – Update to Project Submission Deadline
Net metering is a billing mechanism whereby customers earn credit for the power their system produces that is sent to the grid for others to utilize. Historically, ComEd, Ameren and MidAmerican have been required to provide customer bill credits for excess energy produced by their residential or small commercial solar system at the full retail […]
Illinois Power Agency Announces Phase I of the Clean Energy Dashboard Website
On October 2, 2024, the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) announced the Phase I launch of the Illinois Clean Energy Dashboard (Clean Energy Dashboard or Dashboard website) at cleanenergy.illinois.gov. The Clean Energy Dashboard website, developed by IPA staff, is designed to track the progress and impact of renewable energy development across Illinois. The Dashboard website tracks […]
Frequently Asked Questions About Changes to Illinois Net Metering Bill Credits (Consumer Announcement)
Net metering is a billing mechanism whereby customers earn credit for the power their system produces that is sent to the grid for others to utilize. Historically, Illinois utilities have been required to provide customer bill credits for excess energy produced by their residential or small commercial solar system at the full retail rate. Under […]
Guidance on Group A Distributed Generation Capacity and Waitlists
Each Program Year, Illinois Shines allocates incentives for a specific amount of capacity for new solar projects. The capacity for Distributed Generation, or on-site solar projects, in Group A has been fully depleted for the Program Year that runs from June 2023 through May 2024. Group A covers projects located in the Ameren service territory, […]
Notice to Illinois Residents on the Availability of Illinois Shines Incentives for Solar Projects in Central and Southern Illinois
Each Program Year, Illinois Shines is able to provide incentives for a capped amount of solar project capacity for specific project categories. The capacity for Large Distributed Generation (on-site) solar projects—those over 25 kW AC—in Group A has been fully depleted for the Program Year that runs from June 2023 through May 2024. Group A […]
Group A Large Distributed Generation Soft Close Period Concludes; Waitlist in Effect
As previously communicated, on July 11, 2023, the annual block of capacity for the Group A Large Distributed Generation block has been filled. Section B of the Program Guidebook provides for a soft close period which allows the block to remain open for seven calendar days or when the next project application submitted to the block […]
Group A Large Distributed Generation Block Reaches Capacity, Soft Close Period Initiated
The annual block of capacity for the Group A Large Distributed Generation block has been filled. Section B of the Program Guidebook provides for a soft close period which allows the block to remain open for seven calendar days or when the next project application submitted to the block would exceed capacity by 10 megawatts. For […]
