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

Application Tips and Tricks – Sufficient Documentation for Battery Schematics

If a system contains a battery, a battery schematic diagram must be included when submitting the Part II application. The detailed schematic must show that either only solar-generated power can be used to charge the battery, the battery’s output does not run through the meter used to measure solar output,

Application Tips and Tricks – Proof of Interconnection for Large DG Applications

Large DG applications (including EEC and Public Schools) must include Proof of Interconnection as evidence of an agreement with the utility for future interconnection, or proof that interconnection has already taken place.Proof of Interconnection must show the interconnection address, through but not limited to: An Interconnection Agreement signed by both

Application Tips and Tricks – Ensure the uploaded site map matches that described in Part I, Section 4 of the Part I application

For example, a site map showing three arrays containing five, five, and 15 modules, respectively, versus Part I, Section 4 of the application indicating three arrays containing five, seven, and 13 modules, respectively, is an example of a discrepancy that would lead to a Need Info request and delay application

Application Tips and Tricks

Make sure to provide all relevant Certified Transcripts of Payroll (“CTPs”) for each contractor and subcontractor under contract for project construction activities Prevailing Wage is a minimum compensation level set by the Illinois Department of Labor (“IDOL”), by county, for construction activities related to public works. All Illinois Shines projects, with

Application Tips and Tricks – Adding comments to the application overview may prevent many types of Need Info delays

Overview comments may be used to explain changes, relationships, and discrepancies. Examples include: Keep in mind that applications must still provide all necessary data in applicable fields. Overview comments cannot be used to circumvent Program or application requirements.

Application Tips and Tricks – Ensure a consistent vendor name is used when registering as a Program Designee

To prevent confusion, AVs and Designees must use a correct and consistent vendor name when registering as a Program Designee, applying for DG Installer ICC Certification, and/or completing applications. Additionally, the installer name (Designee) included in the application must be the same name that the installer used to register when

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]