Small DG Category Changes
As noted in the January 16, 2026 Program announcement, announcements regarding the 2026 REC Delivery Contracts, and the release of the Program Year 2026-27 Program Guidebook, several Small DG category changes will be introduced in Program Year 2026-27, effective June 1, 2026, including:
Updated Circumstances Requiring New Disclosure Form Issuance and Signature Resource
The Agency and Program Administrator have updated guidance on when a new Disclosure Form is required to reflect upcoming Program changes related to the new Small DG Customer-Owned REC Adder and ability for Community Solar providers to adjust subscribers’ subscription sizes to meet changing needs (if their subscription agreements allow). The updated Circumstances Requiring New Disclosure […]
Update on Small DG Part I Verification Deadlines, Processing Queue, and ICC Trade Dates
As recently shared, the Program has received a high volume of Part I Small DG project applications seeking approval under the 2024 REC Delivery Contract. In an effort to Part I verify as many project applications as possible under the 2024 REC Delivery Contract, the Program Administrator has added additional processing capacity through a combination of increased staff hours, […]
Financing Opportunities Webinar Held
As previously announced, the Program Administrator held a webinar on Thursday, April 9, 2026, to provide information on financial resources and financing opportunities, including grant and loan programs, Illinois Shines vendors can pursue. Presenters included Illinois Shines partner organizations HACIA, NLR, CEJJF, and the Ameren Market Development Initiative. A recording of the event and presentation slides are now available; questions and […]
2026 REC Contract Roll Out Timing; May 3 Deadline for Part I Verification Under 2024 Contract and Changes to Small DG Payment Structure
Following the ICC’s approval of the 2026 Long-Term Plan and the signing of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (“CRGA”) into law, the IPA has begun drafting the 2026 REC Contract. The draft 2026 REC Contract is expected to be posted for stakeholder comment on April 17, 2026, with all comments due by May […]
Part I Small DG Application Processing Update
Following a spike in submission of Small DG project applications, review of Part I applications has exceeded the 10-day expected turnaround time. The Program Administrator is working to bring application review back into the expected turnaround time and will continue to inform stakeholders of progress. In addition to information available at the Project Application Reports page, the […]
Navigating H.R.1: Resources for Residential and Commercial Solar Projects
This announcement and associated consumer and vendor web pages at the Program website address House Resolution 1 (“H.R.1”). H.R. 1, signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduces significant changes to clean energy tax credits previously available under the Inflation Reduction Act. These changes have implications for clean energy customers, developers, and communities across Illinois. The clean energy tax […]
Small Distributed Generation Soft Close Period Concludes; Waitlist in Effect
As previously communicated, on May 2, 2025, the annual block of capacity for the Small Distributed Generation 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 application submitted to the block would […]
Small DG Block Reaches Capacity, Soft Close Initiated
The annual block of capacity for the Small Distributed Generation block has been filled. For Program Year 2024-25, 208.17 MW of capacity was allocated for Small DG. Following the application of available capacity for projects waitlisted in this category, the remaining capacity for Small DG was 142.00 MW for this Program Year. The block reached capacity at 1:28 p.m. CPT, […]
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 […]