Consumer Protection & Support

Clear and consistent information about the roles of Approved Vendors, installer/developer, and consumer is critical to ensuring that Illinois Shines projects are properly managed and that consumers are informed and protected. Approved Vendors who submit successful solar projects to the Program stand to receive financial benefit from the program in the form of incentives, and by extension, from the Illinois electric utility customers who fund it. The Illinois Power Agency and Program Administrator take consumer protection very seriously, and the Program includes various requirements with which Approved Vendors and Designees must comply to ensure consumers are protected. The Agency takes disciplinary action against Approved Vendors and Designees found to have violated consumer protection requirements. This website includes a variety of education and support resources for consumers.

The passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (Public Act 102-0662) requires the Illinois Power Agency, along with the Program Administrator of its solar incentive programs, to propose various program terms, conditions, and requirements for participating entities and project applications. Stakeholders should consult the 2026 Long-Term Plan, the Program Guidebook, and the Consumer Protection Handbook, to understand and comply with consumer protections requirements.