Updated Program Guidebook, Consumer Protection Documents, and REC Prices for the Program Year 2023-2024 Released

PROGRAM GUIDEBOOK
The Illinois Power Agency announces the publication of an updated version of the Program Guidebook. Program participants must be in compliance with updated requirements by June 1, 2023, the commencement of the 2023-2024 Program year. The new version will replace the version released on October 18, 2022 beginning June 1, 2023, and incorporates the following notable updates:
High Level Changes to Program Guidebook
  • Prohibition of the use of TBD Disclosure Forms for Community-Driven Community Solar projects
  • New information regarding the publishing of disciplinary decisions made by Program
  • New information on the Public Schools anchor tenant waiver
  • New information on the MES waiver
  • Clarifications related to public school land ownership and project siting requirements
  • General reordering and clarifying of information
  • Shifting of listed requirements, waivers, attestations, etc. into appendices
The October 18, 2022 version will remain the effective version of the Guidebook until the new Program year commences on June 1, 2023. Compliance with all changes in the Program year 2023-24 version of the Program Guidebook is required by June 1, 2023.
A rationale document that explains the changes incorporated as it relates to comments received on the Draft Guidebook will be released later this week. Find the new Guidebook and past versions on the Program website’s Resources page:
www.illinoisshines.com/program-guidebook/

CONSUMER PROTECTION DOCUMENTS
The Illinois Power Agency also announces the publication of an updated version of the Consumer Protection Handbook and the Distributed Generation and Community Solar Contract Requirements for use in the upcoming 2023-24 Program year commencing on June 1, 2023. Program participants are required to be in compliance with requirements outlined in these documents by June 1, 2023. The new versions will replace the version released on July 14, 2022 beginning June 1, 2023, and incorporates the following notable updates:
High Level Changes to Consumer Protection Handbook:
  • New requirements and clarifications regarding Approved Vendor management of and responsibility for Designees
  • New requirements related to notification and payment plans when community solar subscription bills are delayed
  • New matrix and processes for responses to Program violations
  • New requirements for providing a copy of executed Disclosure Form and contract to the customer
  • Modifications to community solar requirements related to insurance and maintenance
  • Clarifying requirements around community solar contract assignments
The July 14, 2022 versions of all three updated documents (CP Handbook, DG Contract Requirements, and CS Contract Requirement) will remain the effective versions of the documents until the new Program year commences on June 1, 2023. Compliance with all changes in the Program year 2023-24 version of these documents is required by June 1, 2023.
Find the new Consumer Protection documents and past versions on the Program website’s Resources page: www.illinoisshines.com/program-resources/
REC PRICES
Updated REC prices that are to be utilized for the 2023-24 Program year commencing on June 1, 2023 can be found here:
https://illinoisshines.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-2024-ABP-REC-Prices-For-pub-17-April-2023.xlsx, as well as in Section 1.I of the updated Program Guidebook.A rationale document further explaining changes in pricing, as well as the full model used to produce these updated prices will be released later this week.
As a reminder, these prices are not in effect until June 1, 2023 when the new Program year commences and associated blocks of annual capacity are released.
Find past REC prices for the Program in Appendix A of the Program Guidebook.