Public Schools

Under the Illinois Power Agency Act, the definition of “public schools” for this Program comes from the Illinois School Code, which includes any public school, common school, alternative public school, or free school operated by the authority of the Illinois School Code. Examples include:

• Illinois public schools from pre-school through grade 12,
• Vocational schools over which the State Board of Education has authority
• Public institutions of higher education.

Private and parochial schools are not eligible under the Public Schools Category but are encouraged to apply under other project categories.

(Updated July 2026)

Public Schools projects are eligible for 15- or 20-year REC contracts as of June 1, 2026. The 15-year REC contract is only available for distributed generation projects under the Public Schools category. Public School Distributed Generation projects up to and including 25 kW in size will receive 50% upfront payment at Energization and the rest paid out over 6 years. Public School Distributed Generation projects over 25 kW in size will receive 15% upfront payment at Energization and the rest over 6 years. This structure will provide funds to the school upfront, potentially allowing for a payback period for the solar system. Public School Community Solar projects are not eligible to receive a 15-year contract and will continue to be placed on a 20-Year REC Contract, for which the payments are paid out quarterly based on actual REC deliveries.

(Updated July 2026)

Each project that is Part I verified in the Illinois Shines program is required to be Energized (Part II Verified) within 18 months for DG and 36 months for CS, 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.

(Updated July 2026)

If within 180 days (6 months) of the Energization Date, an AV determines their project will not reach Part II Verification on time, an Extension Request may be requested This includes projects Part II submitted that have not reached Verification prior to the Energization Date. More information about the extension process and how to request an extension can be found on the Projects Extensions and Removals page.

(Updated July 2026)

Yes. Prevailing wage requirements apply to Public Schools Category projects when applicable, consistent with CEJA and Illinois labor law. Approved Vendors are responsible for compliance and documentation. Please visit the Prevailing Wage Hub for more information.

(Updated July 2026)

Yes. Approved Vendors must use the standard Illinois Shines Disclosure Form, even though public schools are institutional customers. Forms must be completed and retained prior to contract execution. Please find the Disclosure forms here.

(Updated July 2026)

Yes. Illinois Shines offers:

• A Public Schools Strategist (Reach out to [email protected])
• Planning guides and one-on-one school workshops
• Case studies and peer examples

These resources help schools and vendors navigate project planning and internal approvals.

(Updated July 2026)