Resources and Guidance for Complying with MES Reporting Requirements, Upcoming Webinar
As the May 31, 2026 close of 2025-26 Program Year approaches, Approved Vendors (AVs) and Designees will need to begin preparing for upcoming Minimum Equity Standard (MES) data and reporting requirements. The IPA and Program Administrator are excited to announce that in response to stakeholder feedback, MES reporting for the prior and next Program Years, previously submitted in two separate reports, will be consolidated into one report due on July 15, 2026. This new combined report, the MES Combined Compliance and […]
Resources and Guidance for EECs Complying with MES Reporting Requirements, Upcoming Webinar
As described in the Draft 2026-27 Program Guidebook, beginning June 1, 2026, all Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC) Approved Vendors (AVs) and Designees will be required to meet the Minimum Equity Standard (MES). During the upcoming reporting window, the Program is requesting data from EECs on their 2026-27 project workforce. For the current 2025-26 Program Year, […]
Stakeholder Feedback Deadline on Draft Program Guidebook and Consumer Protection Documents, Financing Opportunities Webinar, Expedited CDCS Review and Scoring Schedule
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]
Expedited Community-Driven Community Solar Application Review and Scoring Schedule for 45-Day Application Window
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. Any project submitted during the 45-day window that qualifies for the waitlist will be placed behind projects submitted during the initial 90-day application window, regardless of […]
Financing Opportunities Webinar – April 9, 2026
In response to stakeholder interest in resources and opportunities for project financing, the Illinois Shines Program Administrator will host a Financing Opportunities webinar on Thursday, April 9, 2026, between 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. CPT. This webinar will include presentations from Illinois Shines partner organizations, including the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA), National Laboratory of […]
Reminder: Stakeholder Feedback on Draft Program Guidebook and Consumer Protection Documents Due March 20, 2026
The Illinois Power Agency has released drafts of several key program documents for stakeholder feedback. On March 4, 2026, the Agency released draft Consumer Protection Documents, including the Consumer Protection Handbook, Illinois Shines Community Solar Contract Requirements and Illinois Shines Distributed Generation Contract Requirements, and 2026 REC Adder – Categories of Stranded Customers Update document. […]
Draft 2026-27 Program Guidebook Feedback Request, Solar Tax Credit Information Sessions, Portal Pause for Interim Capacity Reallocation
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]
Proposed Update to Consumer Protection Working Group Meeting Schedule
Dear Consumer Protection Working Group Stakeholders, The Program Administrators and Illinois Power Agency are proposing a change to the cadence of Consumer Protection Working Group meetings. At the inception of the Programs, these meetings were set to run on a monthly cadence. Having monthly meetings allowed for regular feedback from participants on consumer protection-related matters as significant new Consumer Protection initiatives were launched and […]
IPA to Host Information Sessions, Offer Technical Assistance on Solar Tax Credit Opportunity for Tax Exempt Entities
The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) is hosting a series of information sessions to ensure that tax-exempt entities purchasing solar and other clean energy assets have the resources they need to make use of a new federal tool enabling them to get reimbursed for 30% or more of their project costs. Join the IPA to get […]
Illinois Shines Portal Pause for Interim Capacity Reallocation
As previously announced, following the issuance of a Modified 2024 Long-Term Plan, the Program published a Program Guidebook Addendum to detail changes resulting from the Plan Re-Opening. All Program requirements set forth in the 2025-26 Program Guidebook will continue, with considerations described in the Program Guidebook Addendum, including temporary Program Portal closures, block structure updates, developer cap […]