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. To prioritize the selection of projects in the 2025-26 Program Year, the Program expedited the review schedule for applications and has published final scores in accordance with the CDCS scoring guidelines previously published in both the 2024 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan (pg. 179) and the Program Guidebook (pg. 166).
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 waitlist and 30.83 MW of capacity was allocated to the CDCS Group B waitlist, with no projects remaining on the waitlist after this allocation. Additionally, remaining capacity totaling 106.02 MW was reserved for CDCS projects submitted within the 45-Day application window with 31.81 MW reserved to be allocated to Group A and 74.21 MW were reserved to be allocated to Group B pursuant to the 30%/70% category split.
50% Uncontracted Capacity Reallocation – April 1, 2026
| Group A | Group B | |
| Allocated to CDCS project waitlists on April 1, 2026 | 16.98 MW | 30.83 MW |
| Reserved capacity for CDCS projects submitted during the 45-day application window | 31.81 MW ** | 74.21 MW |
**Please note: this value was corrected from 13.81MW listed in this Program Announcement.
A total of 51 applications were received during the 45-day application window, including 10 project applications totaling 39.29 MW AC for Group A, and 41 project applications totaling 90.22 MW AC for Group B. In accordance with the CDCS scoring guidelines, the Program Administrator has scored all CDCS projects submitted during the 45-day application window. These scores will be used to determine which projects will be placed on a waitlist once the random selection takes place. The scores have been posted on the Program website at the Community-Driven Community Solar page within the Project Category Hub.
Next Steps
While the Program Administrator has carefully reviewed project applications to determine scores and applied scoring criteria consistently across all project applications, an AV may appeal decisions made by the Program Administrator on the scoring of their projects. Any appeal of CDCS scores will need to be in accordance with the appeal process outlined in the Program Guidebook (pg. 28). An AV has one week from April 15, 2026, to file an appeal. Submitted appeals must be received by the Program Administrator at [email protected], by 11:59 p.m. CPT on April 22, 2026.
As the determination of appeals may influence a project’s final score, and thus possibly the final selection of projects, all appeals must be reviewed by the Agency within a distinct timeframe. The Agency intends to have all submitted appeals determined by April 28, 2026, subject to the quantity and substance of appeals submitted.
Following the resolution of scoring appeals, if any, final scores will be posted. At that time, the Agency will announce if a random selection process is necessary to break ties between projects that received the same scores and where those scores would impact project selection, or waitlist placement. The Agency expects that random selection of projects within tied score brackets will be necessary based on the current scoring, but this process cannot occur until the appeal process is complete, and all scores are confirmed. The Agency intends to hold the random selection reordering event April 29, 2026, again dependent on appeal determinations and final scores. Projects that have a minimum score of 10 points that are not awarded capacity will be placed on a waitlist for the 2026-27 Program Year.
Projects that received a score less than the required 10 minimum points to be placed on the waitlist may reapply during the 2026-27 Program Year 90-day application window expected to open in June 2026. The AV will need to submit a new application, thus new application fees will be applied.
Please see the Community-Driven Community Solar page within the Project Category Hub for more information about the CDCS category.
Schedule of Next Steps
- Appeals due to Program by 11:59 p.m. CPT on April 22, 2026.
- Determinations on appeals from Agency to AV expected to be closed out by April 28, 2026.
- Random selection event is expected to be on April 29, 2026, at 12pm CPT. Register for the event here.
The last eligible ICC Meeting for the 2025-26 Program Year is May 21, 2026. Projects not selected for capacity during the random selection event will remain on the waitlist until new capacity becomes available at the start of the 2026-27 Program Year and will be subject to all 2026-27 Program Year requirements and, if awarded capacity, will be placed on the 2026 REC Delivery Contract.
Thank you!
Illinois Shines Program
[email protected]