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.
| Topic | Last updated |
|---|---|
| Approved Vendor Program Requirements – Annual Checklist | October 31, 2024 |
| Prevailing Wage Requirements | June 14, 2024 |
| Prevailing Wage Walkthrough Video | May 29, 2025 |
| Distributed Generation Project Application Checklist | July 31, 2024 |
| Acceptable Formats for Part II CoC/PTO Documents | August 8, 2024 |
| Traditional Community Solar Part I Application Example | October 17, 2024 |
| How to Determine if Electricity Customer Receives Competitive or Non-Competitive Service | November 8, 2024 |
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
| Topic | Last updated |
|---|---|
| How to Reset Your Password | September 27, 2022 |
| Portal Overview | July 1, 2025 |
| Topic | Last updated |
|---|---|
| Part I Applications (DG and CS) | March 31, 2025 |
| Part II Applications (DG and CS) | March 31, 2025 |
| Batching | March 31, 2025 |
| Topic | Last Updated |
|---|---|
| Annual Report Guide | May 29, 2025 |
| REC Performance Evaluation | April 17, 2025 |
| REC Performance Calculation Evaluation Walkthrough Video | May 16, 2025 |
| Community Solar Parameters Evaluation Walkthrough Video | May 7, 2025 |
| Annual Report and REC Performance Evaluation Walkthrough | May 16, 2025 |
| Community Solar System Parameters Evaluation (Annual Subscriber Evaluation) | April 17, 2025 |
| Collateral and Performance Assurance | April 17, 2025 |
| 15 Year REC Delivery Contract – Community Solar Subscriber Verification Overview & Timeline | April 17, 2025 |
| 20 Year REC Delivery Contract – Community Solar Subscriber Verification Overview & Timeline | May 28, 2025 |
Application Tips & Tricks Blog
- Project Application Tips and Tricks
Application Tips and Tricks – Standing Order
Supplementing previous guidance, the Program Administrator seeks to continue supporting stakeholders in the avoidance of project applications entering Need Info status.
- Project Application Tips and Tricks
Application Tips and Tricks – Avoid Duplicate Applications
Supplementing previous guidance, the Program Administrator seeks to continue supporting stakeholders in the avoidance of project applications entering Need Info status.
- Project Application Tips and Tricks
Application Tips and Tricks – Disclosure Form Signatures
Supplementing previous guidance, the Program Administrator seeks to continue supporting stakeholders in the avoidance of project applications entering Need Info status.
- Project Application Tips and Tricks
Application Tips and Tricks – House of Worship Exemption to Prevailing Wage
Supplementing previous guidance, the Program Administrator seeks to continue supporting stakeholders in the avoidance of project applications entering Need Info status.
- Project Application Tips and Tricks
Application Tips and Tricks – Mounting Location and Module Count
Supplementing previous guidance, the Program Administrator seeks to continue supporting stakeholders in the avoidance of project applications entering Need Info status.
- Project Application Tips and Tricks
Interconnection Agreements and Certificates of Completion
Interconnection Agreements and certificates of completion (COC)/permission to operate (PTO) are reviewed for accuracy during application processing. They do not have to match the application exactly and when the Interconnection Agreement or COC/PTO is equal or greater to the size listed on the application, the application can now be validated.
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]