Program Updates

Welcome to Illinois Shines Program Year 2025-26

On behalf of the Illinois Shines program, the Illinois Power Agency and Program Administrator welcome stakeholders to Program Year 2025-26. 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 REC

Program Year 2025-26 Opening June 2, MES Year-End Report Submission Open, Community Solar Updates and Reminders for 2025-26 Program Year

The IPA announces new information related to the Illinois Shines program. This announcement includes: Coming Up in Illinois Shines, Stakeholder Support, Program News, Ongoing Operations Updates, Application Processing Updates, Ongoing Program Portal Updates, and other Requirements and Reminders. The full announcement is available here. Topics covered include the following: Coming

Minimum Equity Standard Program Year 2024-25: Year-End Report Opens for Submissions

The Minimum Equity Standard (MES) Program Year 2024-25 Year-End Report has opened for submissions today and is due from all participating Approved Vendors and Designees on July 15, 2025. All Program participants should have received an email from the Program Administrator with a link to their secure MES submission portal.

Uncontracted Capacity Reallocation Process for the 2025-26 Program Year

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. A memo outlining the steps the Agency has taken to reallocate remaining capacity from the 2024-25 Program

Community Solar Updates and Reminders for 2025-26 Program Year

Community Driven Community Solar (CDCS)On June 2, 2025, the 90-day CDCS application window will open for the 2025-26 Program Year. Upon closing of the 90-day application window on September 2, 2025, projects will be reviewed and scored based on the scoring criteria as outlined in Appendix F of the Program

Reminder: Partial Portal Closure and Application Unavailability, 2026 Long-Term Plan Feedback Request, and REC Contract Amendments Signatures Due May 26, 2025

The IPA announces new information related to the Illinois Shines program. This announcement includes: Coming Up in Illinois Shines, Stakeholder Support, Program News, Ongoing Operations Updates, Application Processing Updates, Ongoing Program Portal Updates, and other Requirements and Reminders. The full announcement is available here. Topics covered include the following: Coming up

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