Program Help Guides and Application Tips

This page includes Program Help Guides and Application Tips and Tricks designed to help Vendors and their Designees successfully participate in  Illinois Shines. Click on a topic to view a resource, which include PDFs and videos. This page and these materials are revised as Program systems, processes, and the Program portal are updated.

These materials are designed to support all participating entities, regardless of project category that they participate in.  

For additional reference, interested entities may wish to review the Presentation Recordings and slide decks from the 2023-24 Program Year Mentorship Pilot Program which cover a range of topics including Program overview, REC contracting, project applications, ongoing Program requirements, Marketing best practices and consumer protection, and more. 

Disclosure Forms are an important consumer education tool that customers can use to understand key project information and to compare offers. In addition to these materials, the Disclosure Form Deep Dive tool is a helpful resource solar vendors may wish to review.

These resources support use of the Program portal  

TopicLast updated
How to Reset Your PasswordSeptember 27, 2022
Portal OverviewJuly 1, 2025
TopicLast updated
Part I Applications (DG and CS)March 31, 2025
Part II Applications (DG and CS)March 31, 2025
BatchingMarch 31, 2025

Application Tips & Tricks Blog

Transferring information from PT I to PT II applications can be impacted by Need Infos

When an AV begins a Part II application, an autofill prompt “Does this system still match the information submitted in Part 1?” will appear in each section (1–4). As a reminder, changes made by the Program Administrator during any Part I Need Info cure are not automatically carried over to

Section 3 of the Part II application will be compared to Part II installer information

In Section 3 of the Part II application, the ICC Docket Number provided for the question, “ICC Docket Number for the Certification of the DG Installer Record,” will be compared to the Part II installer information. ICC Docket Numbers must be entered in the following format is PXXXX-XXXX. Discrepancies between

Systems containing a battery require a battery schematic diagram which must be included with the project’s Part II application as a stand-alone document at the time of submission.

The Program reviews every battery schematic to verify it demonstrates that the system shall be electrically connected in a manner that ensures non-solar generated electricity used to charge the battery is not metered as solar generated power. Applications containing a battery take longer to process compared to systems without a

When providing a photograph of a string inverter, only showing the Inverter Manufacturer/Make will cause Need Info delays.

A photograph must clearly show the inverter manufacturer/make and include the model number. This can be shown through the inverter information panel of the physical inverter, or can be shown through a monitoring platform’s details page showing the inverter model. If more than one string inverter is used, evidence of

Applications for a distributed renewable energy generation projects must submit an affidavit attesting that the project is not affiliated with any other project.

For purposes of determining colocation, an AV who submits an application for a distributed renewable energy generation project shall be required to submit an affidavit attesting that the project is not affiliated with any other distributed renewable energy generation project such that, if the 2 projects were deemed colocated, the

Projects applying for the Small DG Customer-Owned REC Adder must confirm on both the Disclosure Form and in Part I of the application

Projects which are eligible and applying for the Small DG Customer-Owned REC Adder will need to identified as such on both the Disclosure Form and in Part I Section 2 of the application. REC Adder response discrepancies between the Disclosure Form and application will result in Need Info delays.

For assistance within specific project categories, contact the dedicated Sector Strategist, listed here, or the Program Administrator team at [email protected]

Small Distributed Generation

Kaitlin Hogan, at [email protected]

Large Distributed Generation

Stellan Roberts, at [email protected] 

Community Solar (TCS & CDCS)

Jess Blue, at [email protected] 

Public Schools

Brian Keller, [email protected]

Equity Eligible Contractor

Conner Rettig, at [email protected]