All Traditional Community Solar (TCS) Part I project applications submitted during or after the 2022-2023 Program Year are evaluated against the TCS Final Scoring Guidelines outlined in the Program Guidebook. For the submission of Part II applications, which follow project energization, the Program requires demonstration and confirmation that commitments made in the Part I application, including those that resulted in higher project scoring and thus greater likelihood of contract award, were fulfilled throughout project development and installation. Some changes to Part I commitments are permitted, but must be approved by the Program Administrator via a properly submitted change in commitment request in writing. Any inability to meet Part I commitments or Part I commitments allowed a permissible change is considered an event of default under the REC Delivery Contract, and as noted in the Program Guidebook, will result in the full forfeiture of collateral, and the system will be removed from the REC contract and thus unable to be Part II verified.
The following table outlines what should be submitted to demonstrate fulfillment of Part I commitments for which projects earned scoring points, as well as permissible changes in commitments between Part I and Part II applications. If a project earned points for any of the following criterion at Part I application scoring, Approved Vendors should be prepared to submit the following:
| Scoring Criterion | Topic | Documentation to be Submitted to Demonstrate Fulfillment of Part I Commitment, Including Permissible Changes |
| 1.c | Built Environment – Agrivoltaics | Demonstration of active agricultural use: Please provide a completed agrivoltaics plan outlining the commitments from the Part I agrivoltaics plan that have been met including any photographs or supporting documentation. Changes to an agrivoltaics plan, such as a change in crop utilization or footprint size (above the required 50% outlined in Appendix C of the Program Guidebook), are permitted. Any changes to an agrivoltaics plan that occur between the Part I and Part II application must be made in writing via an updated plan sent to the Program Administrator. Please note, if points for grazing were awarded, active grazing needs to be present at the time of Part II application and demonstration of such must be made through the Part II application. |
| 1.d | Built Environment – Pollinator Friendly Habitat | Demonstration of an active pollinator friendly habitat: Please provide a copy of a submitted Illinois Planned Pollinator Habitat on Solar Sites Scorecard from the DNR with a passing score of at least 85 points. Changes to a Pollinator Friendly Habitat plan, such as a change in crop utilization, are permitted. Any changes to a Pollinator Friendly Habitat plan that occur between the Part I and Part II application must be made in writing via an updated plan sent to the Program Administrator. |
| 3.a-d | Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC) | Demonstration that the committed percentage of development work has been completed by an EEC Approved Vendor/Designee: Please submit the agreements (including the value of work performed) for the construction, electrical and other site-specific work that has been performed by EEC-certified Designees during project development. Substitution of the EEC Designee(s) that will support a project due to unforeseen circumstances can be made between the Part I and Part II applications. Any substitutions must be made in writing to the Program Administrator and are subject to review and verification. |
If project commitments to any areas impacted by any other scoring criteria changed between Part I and Part II application submissions, Approved Vendors should outline that change in writing in conjunction with the Part II application submission.
Thank you!
Illinois Shines Program
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