Case Study: How a Small Farm Household in Centralia, IL, Found Big Cost Savings, Essential Power Backup, and Peace of Mind Through Illinois Shines
The Program’s new case study spotlights Gragg Street Farm, a veteran-owned small farm and farmers market staple in Centralia, Illinois, that achieved energy reliability for its farm operations and gained peace of mind for their family and care of their livestock through an Illinois Shines Small Distributed Generation Project. This Illinois Shines case study details […]
September Consumer Protection Working Group Held
The Consumer Protection Working Group was held Friday, September 4, 2026. The Working Group meets quarterly to discuss market trends, best practices, consumer education, updates to Program requirements and documents, and other consumer protection issues for both Illinois Shines and ILSFA. The Program invites stakeholders to submit suggested agenda topics for future meetings to [email protected]. […]
Illinois Shines Releases Solar Restitution Program and Escrow Process Materials
The IPA and Program Administrator have developed collateral to inform legislators and other stakeholders on the CP initiatives developed following the 2024 Long Term Plan. Brochures for the Solar Restitution Program and Escrow Process are available on the Solar Restitution Program page and new Illinois Shines Escrow Process page, respectively. These brochures detail the context […]
Illinois Shines Releases Guide for Real Estate Professionals Navigating a Home Sale with Illinois Shines
The Illinois Power Agency prioritizes educating consumers about the decision to go solar and has developed a variety of resources to support Program understanding and encourage awareness of available consumer protections. To complement its library of consumer-oriented materials, and in light of the growing number of homes with energized Illinois Shines projects, the Program today […]
Case Study: How Harrisburg, IL Sparked Economic Growth by Embracing Solar
The Program’s newest case study spotlights seven municipal solar projects in Harrisburg, Illinois. The city government partnered with a local Approved Vendor to develop solar on City Hall, the Fire Department, and Water Department buildings, among others, through Illinois Shines’ Small and Large Distributed Generation categories. The case study highlights how Harrisburg leveraged solar to […]
Illinois Power Agency Issues Illinois Shines Program Year 2025-26 End of Year Report
The Illinois Power Agency has issued its Illinois Shines Program Year 2025-26 End of Year Report. Illinois Shines is a state-administered incentive program that supports the development of new solar projects across the state through the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits from Distributed Generation and Community Solar projects with a focus on equity provisions and consumer protections. The full report, detailing […]
Illinois Shines Publishes 2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey Focus Groups Report
The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) prioritizes educating consumers about the decision to go solar and provides resources to help consumers understand the substantial benefits of going solar with Illinois Shines, including potential financial incentives, rigorous consumer protections, and more. In Spring 2025, Illinois Shines distributed the 2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey to residential customers who had an Illinois […]
TCS Group A Soft Close Period Concludes; Waitlist and Scoring in Effect
As communicated on July 2, 2026, the annual block of capacity for Traditional Community Solar (TCS) Group A has been filled. Section 1.G 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 […]
Illinois Shines Enhances Project Look Up Tool
Illinois Shines project applications undergo a multi-step review and approval process to protect customers and confirm systems meet Program requirements. These steps are outlined in the Guide to Going Solar (available in English and Spanish) and are relevant to customers installing a solar project on their property. The Project Look Up Tool allows customers to […]
TCS Group A Block Reaches Capacity, Soft Close Period Initiated
The annual block of capacity for the Traditional Community Solar (TCS) Group A block has been filled. Section 1.G 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 applications submitted to the block would exceed capacity by 10 megawatts. […]