Project Inspections
Per the Illinois Shines Program Guidebook, the Program reserves the right to physically or virtually inspect any project submitted to Illinois Shines. Inspections are critical to ensure the Program requirements are met, that the equipment described in the project documentation matches what is installed on-site and the project is on track to meet its Renewable Energy Credit (REC) delivery obligations. All projects are subject to local jurisdiction permitting and inspection processes; however, local code compliance is not included in the Program inspection process. Any potential fraud detected through inspections is immediately communicated to the Illinois Power Agency (“IPA”).
Inspections will be scheduled in advance but may occur at any time during which the project is still participating in the Program. Customers are expected to be informed of the possibility of an inspection by their Approved Vendor (“AV”) or Designee. It is the AV/Designee’s responsibility to ensure customer compliance if the system is selected for inspection.
Once the project is selected for inspection, an email is sent from the Program Administrator to the customer for scheduling, with a copy to the project’s Approved Vendor on the message. If the customer does not reply to the email, the Program Administrator will call the customer by phone to schedule the inspection.
Once the inspection is scheduled, a reminder email is sent to the customer one day before the inspection, providing a one-hour arrival window and the estimated duration to conduct the inspection (typically 90 minutes).
On-Site Inspection Process
1.
Introduction of inspector including:
- Stating the reason for the visit.
- Identify name and company by furnishing a business card.
- Request to speak to the customer.
2.
Inform the customer of items that need to be confirmed, and request permission to enter the premises and conduct the inspection.
3.
Safety:
- The customer and/or AV may request that the inspector follow current COVID guidelines and/or wear a mask.
- Inquiry of any specific safety and/or PPE requirements for the site. The inspector will follow established safety guidelines and any additional reasonable requirements from the customer and/or AV.
4.
Photo and video will be used to document equipment pertaining to the project’s scope of work.
5.
The inspector will use a mobile device to capture findings and discrepancies, referencing a preset and consistent list of fields and criteria.
6.
Upon completion of the inspection, the inspector will inform the customer and/or AV of the expected timing for delivery of the results (within 15 days of the inspection).
7.
A report of the inspection will be generated and shared with the customer and AV.
Results
The inspection report provided will be one of three results:
Inspection results with no material deficiencies identified:
The report is sent to the customer, AV, installer, and Program Sector Strategist.
Inspection results with one or more material deficiencies identified:
The report including Deficiency Notice, if any, is sent to the customer, AV, installer, and their Program Sector Strategist.
Immediate safety concern(s) identified:
In the rare event that an immediate safety concern with the installed project is identified, the inspector will immediately escalate to the Program senior team member and IPA. A senior team member will contact the AV/installer and request the system be shut down immediately due to the identified safety concerns. The AV is responsible for shutting the system down until safety concerns are resolved via repair or replacement of equipment resulting in no safety concerns. The report, including the Deficiency Notice, is sent to the customer, AV, Program Sector Strategist, and the Program Consumer Protection team.
In cases of material deficiencies and/or an immediate safety concern, the Program will be in close contact with the AV and/or installer to address concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Inspections are performed on a proportion of projects in the Illinois Shines program, so you may receive outreach from the program. Scheduling of inspections begins with an email to the customer address on file. If scheduling is not completed via email, the Program Administrator will phone the customer to schedule the inspection and address any questions on the process.
The Program Administrator may be contacted via email or phone.
Email: [email protected] and Phone Number: (877) 783-1820
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CPT, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays
Staff conducting inspections on behalf of the Illinois Shines program will introduce themselves providing their name, reason for the visit, and a business card. The inspector’s name and photo are included in the scheduling emails and should be referenced on the day of the inspection.
There are no costs for customers associated with Illinois Shines project inspections.
Inspections performed by the Illinois Shines Program Administrator are meant to verify the equipment and installation meet the requirements and data provided in the project application provided to the Program. The Illinois Shines team does not inspect projects for electric code or utility requirements.
If your installer is not responsive, please reach out to the Program Administrator to report the issue.
The Help for Stranded Customers page of the Program website provides a list of Approved Vendors and Designees who are willing to assist stranded customers. Please contact the Program Administrator to inform us that your installer is no longer in business.
Installers and AVs are required by the Program to notify you of the inspection process. Installers and AVs are not permitted to deny an inspection without notifying the Program Administrator and providing a rationale for the denial. An Illinois Shines inspection will not void your installation contract. If your installer states it will, please inform the inspection team and the Program Administrator will contact your installer to inform them of their Program obligations.
Scheduling
No, not from the Illinois Shines program. Projects are selected for inspection via a selection process and are not conducted per request. If you do have concerns about their project installation or production, the Program encourages you to reach out to your project installer or Approved Vendor. Your installer’s and Approved Vendor’s contact information are available in the Disclosure Form provided to you prior to signing your installation contract. If the response is not satisfactory, please contact our Consumer Protection team at (877) 708-3456 or [email protected]. The team’s hours are 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CPT, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
No. Currently, the Program conducts inspections during normal business hours.
If you are unavailable on the scheduled inspection date, you may request to reschedule the inspection for the following month. Please note that the Program is unable to offer inspection outside business hours.
The Inspection Process
Depending on the method of interconnection the inspector might have to enter the home to inspect the building’s main electrical panel.
Customers can decline an inspection. If the inspection is declined, the project will be removed from the inspections’ selection process.
No. Customers should NOT go on roofs or portable ladders for any part of this inspection.
Results
If an inspected project is found to not meet the equipment and production information submitted to the Program, the Approved Vendor and installer will be informed. The follow-up depends upon the concern or deficiency found during inspection.
If a deficiency is found in the project, a report will be sent to the installer, Approved Vendor and customer. A resolution plan will be agreed upon between the Program Administrator and the installer.
In rare cases if an immediate safety concern is discovered, the inspector will inform Program leadership and IPA, and the system will be shut down until resolved.
Additional frequently asked questions on the program may be found here.
