Request for Stakeholder Feedback on Enhancements to Equity Eligible Contractor Certification
On April 1, 2025, the Illinois Power Agency (“IPA”) released a Request for Stakeholder Feedback that seeks input on the potential strategies to enhance the certification process for Equity Eligible Contractors (“EEC”). This feedback will inform new requirements as part of the IPA’s upcoming update of its Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan (to be finalized in 2026). Written responses to the […]
Illinois Shines 2024-25 Program Year Mentorship Program Concludes, Honoring Graduating Mentees
The Illinois Shines 2024-25 Program Year Mentorship Program concluded Monday, March 10, 2025, with an in-person graduation ceremony for mentees. The event capped an eight-week Mentorship Program during which mentees completed virtual training courses and participated in live, interactive sessions with experienced AV mentors and the Program Administrator’s subject matter experts. The Mentorship Program was […]
Mentorship Program Next Steps
Registration for the 2024-25 Mentorship Program closed December 6, 2024. The Program Administrator will inform applicants of their mentee or mentor status by email on December 20, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. CPT. Please contact the EEC Sector Strategist at [email protected] if you have questions about the Mentorship Program.
Mentorship Program Registration Closing Today, December 6
Registration for AVs and Designees to register for the 2024-25 Mentorship Program closes today, December 6, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. CPT. Registration forms and detailed information on the Mentorship Program can be found on the Mentorship Program page. The Program Administrator will inform applicants of their mentee or mentor status by email on December 20, […]
Group B Equity Eligible Contractor Community Solar Block Now Closed
The Group B Equity Eligible Contractor (“EEC”) Community Solar soft close period concluded on December 2, 2024, and applications batched and any projects submitted to the Program to the category after December 2, 2024 will be placed on a waitlist. New capacity for this category will be released next Program Year, which commences on June […]
Group B Equity Eligible Contractor Community Solar Soft Close Period Concluded December 2, 2024; Waitlist in Effect
As previously communicated, on November 22, 2024, the annual block of capacity for the Group B Equity Eligible Contractor (“EEC”) Community Solar block (comprising of 84 megawatts) was 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 […]
Group B Equity Eligible Contractor Community Solar Block Reaches Capacity, Soft Close Period Initiated
The annual block of capacity for the Group B Equity Eligible Contractor (“EEC”) Community Solar 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 […]
Mentorship Program Registration Closing December 6
Registration for AVs and Designees for the 2024-25 Mentorship Program will be closing on December 6, 2024. Please see the November 1, 2024 announcement for details on the program. The Mentorship Program has seen a good response for mentee registrations, and registration will continue to accept mentee applications for interested parties for future cohorts. The […]
Mentorship Program Registration Now Open
Registration for AVs and Designees for the 2024-25 Mentorship Program is now open on the Mentorship Program page. The Mentorship Program provides mentees with virtual courses and trainings covering Program processes and requirements and facilitates opportunities to network with other AVs/Designees. AVs and Designees that are certified as Equity Eligible Contractors (“EEC”) and/or are minority-owned, […]
Registration for 2024-25 Mentorship Program Opens November 4
Registration for AVs and Designees for the 2024-25 Mentorship Program will open Monday, November 4, 2024. The Mentorship Program provides mentees with virtual courses and trainings covering Program processes and requirements and facilitates opportunities to network with other market stakeholders. AVs and Designees that are certified as Equity Eligible Contractors (“EECs”) and/or are minority-owned, woman-owned, […]