The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) is rolling out a new, streamlined Illinois Shines Energization Extension Request Form for the 2026-27 Program Year that will replace the existing Extension Request process. This form will provide Approved Vendors (AVs) a single entry-point for all Illinois Shines Energization Extension Request submissions, providing AVs with a better submission experience.
Upon submission, the form will automatically notify necessary stakeholders at the IPA, Program Administrator, and Utilities. The form will allow for single- and multi-project submissions, so long as all Energization Extension Requests are made under the same contracting utility and REC Contract clause.
The form will go live June 1, 2026. The IPA will provide a one-month adjustment period, in which it will accept email submitted extension requests. However, starting July 1, 2026, the IPA expects all Extension Requests to be made through the Extension Request Form and will not accept requests made via email.
Background – Extension Request Overview
Each project that is Part I verified in the Illinois Shines program is required to be Energized (Part II Verified) within a designated number of months, beginning at the date that the project was approved for a REC Contract by the Illinois Commerce Commission (“Trade Date”). The deadline for Part II Verification, as specified in the REC Contract, is referred to as the Scheduled Energization Date (“Energization Date”). The Energization Date can be found in the project’s most recent Schedule A.
If within 180 days of the Energization Date an AV determines their project will not reach Part II Verification on time, an extension request may be made to the IPA or the Contracting Utility as provided by the REC Delivery Contract. This includes if the project has been submitted for Part II Verification but has not yet reached Verification. Requests made outside of the 180-day window before the Energization Date will not be accepted and AVs will have to resubmit their request once the project is within 180-days of the Energization Date.
The current process (detailed on the Vendor FAQs page of the Program website under “How should a request for the extension of a project’s Scheduled Energized Date be submitted?”) requires AVs to submit extension requests via email to [email protected], and cc [email protected] and the project’s respective contracting utility.
Next Steps
The Energization Extension Request form will be shared to all AVs via email and published on the Illinois Shines website on June 1, 2026. Additionally, the Program will publish a guide to Extension Requests and updated FAQs on the subject, and will offer dedicated support during Office Hours throughout the month of June.
For any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
Thank you!
Illinois Shines Program
[email protected]