Program Updates

On behalf of the Illinois Shines program, the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) and Program Administrator welcome stakeholders to Program Year 2026-27. This Program Year includes new capacity for project categories, to continue the expansion of solar development in Illinois, and brings new requirements and Program features, updated Program documents, new

The IPA announces new information related to the Illinois Shines program. This announcement includes: Coming Up in Illinois Shines, Stakeholder Support, Program News, Reference and Reminders, and Other Opportunities. The full announcement is available here. Topics include the following: Coming up in Illinois Shines Stakeholder Support Program News Reference and

Illinois Shines features annual blocks of capacity that remain open until block capacity is exhausted for the Program Year, and unused or uncontracted capacity is redistributed after the close of a Program Year. This memo outlines the steps the Agency has taken to reallocate remaining capacity from the 2025-26 Program

Community Driven Community Solar (CDCS)On June 1, 2026, the 90-day CDCS application window will open for the 2026-27 Program Year. Upon closing of the 90-day application window on August 30, 2026, projects will be reviewed and scored based on the scoring criteria as outlined in Appendix F of the Program

The Minimum Equity Standard (MES) Combined Compliance and Year-End Report, which includes the 2026-27 MES Compliance Plan and the 2025-26 MES Year-End Report, has opened for submissions today and is due from all participating Approved Vendors and Designees on July 15, 2026. All Program participants will be receiving an email

As previously announced, 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 Extension Request submissions providing AVs