Traditional Community Solar Scores for Program Year 2025-26
On June 2, 2025, Traditional Community Solar (“TCS”) capacity for the 2025-26 Program Year opened. For the 2025-26 Program Year, capacity available for the TCS category was 64 MW for Group A and 149 MW for Group B. Capacity was initially allocated to projects on the 2024-25 Program Year waitlist on June 2, 2025, leaving […]
Registration for 2025-26 Mentorship Program Fall Cohort to Open September 2
Registration for AVs and Designees for the 2025-26 Mentorship Program Fall Cohort opens Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. CPT on the Mentorship Program page and will close on September 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CPT. The Mentorship Program provides mentees with virtual courses and training covering Program processes and requirements and facilitates opportunities to network […]
New Requirement to Include Illinois Shines Project ID in Certified Transcripts of Payroll (CTP) Submitted to IDOL
Prevailing wage is a minimum compensation level set by the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL), by county, for construction activities related to public works. With the enactment of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), projects receiving incentives through Illinois Shines are classified as “public works” and therefore subject to the Prevailing Wage Act, and […]
IPA Releases Draft 2026 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan
The Illinois Power Agency has released the Draft 2026 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan for public review and comment: The draft 2026 Long-Term Plan details the goals and strategies for the IPA’s renewable energy programs and procurements, including program capacity and renewable energy credit pricing for the Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All programs […]
Petition Filed with ICC, Mentorship Program Registration Opening, CDCS Solar Application Deadline
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]
Petition Filed with Illinois Commerce Commission to Modify 2024 Long-Term Plan
On August 14, 2025, the Solar Energy Industries Association, the Coalition for Community Solar Access, and the Illinois Solar Energy Association, collectively the Joint Solar Parties, and Advanced Energy United petitioned the Illinois Commerce Commission to reopen the proceeding that approved the 2024 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan to make modifications to the Plan in […]
Reminder: Community-Driven Community Solar Application Deadline for Program Year 2025-26 – September 2
As outlined in Section 5 of the Program Guidebook, the Community-Driven Community Solar (“CDCS”) application window closes 90 days after the start of the Program Year. With the Program Year commencing on June 2, 2025, the application submission deadline for Program Year 2025-26 CDCS projects is September 2, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CPT. Applications are not accepted […]
Paused Enforcement of Two Withhold Limit from ICC Meetings, Update to Application Processing Statuses, August REC Invoicing Deadline
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 Program [email protected]
Paused Enforcement of Two Withhold Limit from ICC Meetings
Considering the recent Federal Reconciliation Bill (H.R.1) and the Executive Order issued on July 7, 2025, the Agency has decided to temporarily pause enforcement of the two withhold limit from ICC meetings. This pause will be in effect until additional federal guidance is received, and the Agency determines this pause is no longer necessary. Per […]
August REC Invoicing Opens, Part II Verification Cutoff for August, Illinois Solar Workforce Study
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 · Events · Due Dates Stakeholder Support · Program Administrator Office Hours · Application Tips and Tricks Program […]