Helping Public Schools Go Solar With Illinois Shines – Recorded Presentation and Slides Available
The Program has prepared a recorded presentation (presentation slides here) designed to help public schools explore solar energy opportunities through Illinois Shines. The presentation provides an in-depth overview of the Illinois Shines Program, project types including the Public Schools project category, financing options, and key considerations for public schools exploring solar energy. It complements a Public Schools Case Study the Program recently created. More […]
Public Schools Case Study Now Available
On May 1, the Program published its first case study, highlighting how one Illinois school district turned to Illinois Shines to achieve important financial and environmental benefits for its community. The case study describes the school district’s motivations to consider solar energy, its exploration of the benefits of doing so through Illinois Shines, and provides details about […]
Portal Latitude and Longitude Updates Implemented
As shared earlier this week, the PVWatts® Calculator no longer provides the “address” query parameter required in project application submissions, including estimated system production and associated contractual REC delivery amounts. On March 10, 2025, the Program Administrator implemented a solution that automatically resolves the new PVWatts requirement for latitude and longitude from applications upon running […]
Portal Latitude and Longitude Update
As shared last week, effective March 11, 2025, PVWatts® Calculator will no longer be available to provide the “address” query parameter used to support application submissions, including estimated system production and associated contractual REC delivery amounts. However, no change to the user experience is expected, and the Program will provide information early next week on […]
180-Day Prioritization Window for Public Schools Subcategories Updated Closure Date
As previously shared, the 180-Day Prioritization Window for Public Schools subcategories closed on December 2, 2024. Public School projects will now be accepted on a first come, first serve basis regardless of Tier, Environmental Justice Community (“EJC”) location, or project size.
Reminders: Closure Date for 180-Day Prioritization Window for Public Schools Subcategory, Designee Renewal Deadline
As detailed in recent Program announcements, the following items have December 2, 2024 deadlines: 180-Day Prioritization Window for Public Schools SubcategoriesAs stated in the Program Guidebook Section 1.E, Public Schools capacity is allocated by Group, tier, location, and project size subcategories. If any of the allocations are not filled within the first 180 days of […]
180-Day Prioritization Window for Public Schools Subcategories Updated Closure Date – December 2, 2024
As stated in the Program Guidebook Section 1.E,Public Schools capacity is allocated by Group, tier, location, and project size subcategories. If any of the allocations are not filled within the first 180 days of the Program Year, Public School projects will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis regardless of Tier, EJC location, […]
180-Day Prioritization Window for Public Schools Subcategories Close on November 30, 2024
As stated in the Program Guidebook Section 1.E, Public Schools projects are allocated by Group, tier, location, and project size. If any of the allocations are not filled within the first 180 days of the Program Year, Public School projects will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis regardless of Tier, EJC location, […]
Public Schools Category Update
On December 8, 2023, Governor Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1699 into law as Public Act 103-0580. This statute went into immediate effect on December 8, 2023 and expands the definition of “Public Schools” eligible for the Public Schools project category to include Illinois public higher education institutions as defined by the Illinois Board of Higher […]
Public Schools Category Update: Public Act 103-0580 Passed; Higher Education Institutions May Apply
On December 8, 2023, Governor Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1699 into law as Public Act 103-0580. This statute went into immediate effect on December 8, 2023 and expands the definition of “Public Schools” eligible for the Public Schools category to include Illinois public higher education institutions as defined by the Illinois Board of Higher Education […]