Find an Approved Vendor, Designee, or Subcontractor
Customers participating in Illinois Shines may encounter different participating solar entities:
Approved Vendors
Participation in Illinois Shines takes place through Approved Vendors (AVs). Only AVs, who are vetted by and registered with the Program, are eligible to receive direct payments or enter into REC Contracts through the Program. The Program monitors AVs for compliance with Program requirements. AVs who meet applicable criteria can become registered as Equity Eligible Contractors (EEC).
Designees
Third-party (i.e. non-Approved Vendor) entities that have direct interaction with end-use customers on behalf of an AV or another Designee (“Nested Designees”). Current Illinois Shines Designee types include installers, maintenance and repair, warranty holders, marketing firms, lead generators, and sales organizations. Designees meeting applicable criteria can become EEC Designees.
EEC Subcontractors
Equity Eligible Contractors seeking to participate in the Program but who do not yet have a relationship with an Approved Vendor and/or do not have a customer-facing role for projects submitted to the Program.
Customers are encouraged to review materials in the Exploring Solar menu, including the Introduction to Illinois Shines: Solar Basics & More resource, as well as the Consumer Resources including brochures, and the Disclosure Form Deep Dive tools.
Find an Approved Vendor
Illinois Shines includes various types of Approved Vendors:
-
Distributed Generation Installer (DG Installer)
A DG Installer has received certification from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to perform distributed generation installations.
-
Distributed Generation Project Developer (DG Project Developer)
A DG Project Developer may oversee client relationships, design of the solar project, and site management. The DG Project Developer must utilize an installer for the project who is certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
-
Community Solar Project Developer
A Community Solar Project Developer designs, develops, and oversees community solar projects. The Developer must utilize an installer for the project who is certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
-
REC Broker/Aggregator
An REC Broker/Aggregator works with installers, developers, and sometimes individuals to submit projects for approval into Illinois Shines. The REC Broker/Aggregator will be responsible for submitting applications, collecting meter readings, monitoring REC creation, and distributing payments. REC Brokers/Aggregators are usually one step removed from the end-use customer and usually interface with customers via a Designee.
These companies have been qualified as Approved Vendors in the Illinois Shines program:
Find a Designee
Illinois Shines includes various types of Designees:
-
Disclosure Form Designee
An entity that is permitted to generate Disclosure Forms on behalf of an Approved Vendor.
-
Community Solar Subscriber Agent Designee
An entity that is permitted to acquire and manage the community solar subscription information for an Approved Vendor’s community solar projects.
-
Marketing or Sales Designee
An entity that is designated to act as a marketing agent and/or customer acquisition agent on behalf of an Approved Vendor or another Designee.
-
Installer Designee
An entity that has been designated to install systems on behalf of an Approved Vendor or Designee and is certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to do so.
These companies have been qualified as Designees in the Illinois Shines program:
Find an EEC Subcontractor
Entities that meet the qualifications for Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC) certification, but do not yet have a relationship with an Approved Vendor and/or do not have a customer-facing role for projects submitted to the Program, may register as an EEC Subcontractor. To learn more and register for this certification, visit the Become an Equity Eligible Contractor page.
These companies have been qualified as EEC Subcontractors in the Illinois Shines program:
