Reminder: Welcome to Program Year 2026-27 Webinar – May 21, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CPT
The Illinois Shines 2026-27 Program Year will commence on June 1, 2026. To support stakeholders during this transition, the Program will host an informational webinar on upcoming Program Year changes tomorrow, May 21, 2026, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CPT. The IPA and its Program Administrator will discuss the 2026 Long-Term Plan, updates to the […]
Small and Emerging Business Designation
The Small and Emerging Business (SEB) designation was developed with the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) in 2021 to help new and small businesses navigate the solar energy landscape. The designation was introduced to the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Program that year. The 2026 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan established the SEB designation in the Illinois Shines Program and added new benefits for SEBs across both programs, including: a lower batch threshold for project submittal, project selection benefits (ILSFA only), and collateral deduction from REC payments […]
Limited Exception to Production Reporting Requirement, New Energization Extension Request Process, Partial Portal Closure May 26 – June 1
The IPA announces new information related to the Illinois Shines program. This announcement includes: Coming Up in Illinois Shines, Stakeholder Support, Program News, and Reference and Reminders. The full announcement is available here. Topics include the following: Coming up in Illinois Shines Stakeholder Support Program News Reference and Reminders Other Opportunities Thank you!Illinois Shines [email protected]
Cessation of SDSI Operations; Limited Exception to Production Reporting Requirement
The Program has been recently made aware that Solar Data Systems Incorporated (SDSI) has ceased operations. SDSI manufactured meters, including some which were ANSI C.12 standard compliant, and provided metering support services, such as automated meter reading and reporting. As noted in Section 6.A of the Program Guidebook, AVs are responsible for entering system production […]
Partial Portal Closure and Project Application Unavailability May 26 – June 1, 2026
The Illinois Shines 2025–26 Program Year will close on the evening of Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CPT. At that time, the ability for AVs to create, revise, submit, and batch project applications will be paused within the Portal until the launch of the 2026–27 Program Year on June 1, 2026, at 8:00 […]
New Energization Extension Request Process for Program Year 2026-27
The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) is rolling out a new, streamlined Illinois Shines Energization Extension Request Form for the 2026-27 Program Year that will replace the existing Extension Request process. This form will provide Approved Vendors (AVs) a single entry-point for all Illinois Shines Energization Extension Request submissions, providing AVs with a better submission experience. […]
Small DG Category Changes, EEC Subcategory Merging, Clean Jobs Curriculum Framework Feedback Request
The IPA announces new information related to the Illinois Shines program. This announcement includes: Coming Up in Illinois Shines, Stakeholder Support, Program News, and Reference and Reminders. The full announcement is available here. Topics include the following: Coming up in Illinois Shines Stakeholder Support Program News Reference and Reminders Other Opportunities Thank you!Illinois Shines [email protected]
CDCS Random Selection Event Held, Stakeholder Feedback for Draft REC Contracts Due Today, Annual Report Process Launch
The IPA announces new information related to the Illinois Shines program. This announcement includes: Coming Up in Illinois Shines, Stakeholder Support, Program News, and Reference and Reminders. The full announcement is available here. Topics include the following: Coming up in Illinois Shines Stakeholder Support Program News Reference and Reminders Thank you!Illinois Shines [email protected]
EEC Capacity Merge Complete; Block Capacity Dashboard Updated
As provided in the 2024 Long-Term Plan Section 7.4.6.4, on May 1, 2026, the Program and Agency opened EEC subcategory capacity to the entire EEC category, 11 months into the Program Year. The Program updated the Block Capacity Dashboard by merging the EEC capacity bars, combining CS and DG projects (maintaining Group A and Group […]
Community-Driven Community Solar Project Selection Results for 45-Day Application Window in Program Year 2025-26
As previously announced, as a result of the Modified 2024 Long-Term Plan, the Program opened an additional 45-day CDCS application window from January 16, 2026, to March 2, 2026. On April 1, 2026, the Program reallocated 50% of unused Program capacity to waitlisted projects. 16.98 MW of capacity was allocated to the CDCS Group A […]