Illinois Shines (legally known as the adjustable block program) is open today for the program of 2025-26 and offers 800 MW of capacity in the six project categories. The solar-incentive program assessed by the State, implemented by the Illinois Power Agency (IPA), supports the development of new distributed generation and community zonne projects in Illinois, with a focus on stock provisions and consumer protection.
The most important highlights of the 2025-26 program are the continuous rollout of Initiatives for consumer protection detailed in the long -term plan of 2024, expansion of the Mentoring programresources that support the growth of the Public Schools category, and streamlined shapes and a safe port approach for the Minimum Equity Standard (knife)For which the project work of each participating entity requires that a required minimum percentage of eligible persons (EEPs) meets.
“The IPA is incredibly enthusiastic to announce the start of the seventh year of Illinois Shines, one of our flagship Solar Incentive programs. Solar Energy in Illinois has grown annually since the foundation of the program in 2019, and this year is no exception,” said Planning and Purchasing Office Bureau. “Now that the share initiatives of the program continue to flourish, the agency is proud to celebrate another year from supporting new renewable energy that benefits all Illinoisians.”
In response to a climate and fair job wowering line line, the IPA has set up an Equity Accountability System (EAS) that introduced the minimum Equity Standard, the shares eligible contractant category, the mentoring program and more. Details and growth include:
- In the 2025-26 program year, the knife requires at least 14% of the project staff for each entity participating in Illinois Shines is composed of shares eligible persons (EEPs). The Agency Equity Accountability System Assessment – Part II found a high compliance percentage of 78%, which indicates strong involvement and dedication to stock standards in participating AVs, designated and subcontractors in Illinois Shines.
- The agency celebrates the continuous growth of the Shares category eligible contractor (EEC), which in 2024-25 rose to 114 participating suppliers. The category now represents 11% of the total network since the launch of 2022 and remains support for EEC AVs, designated persons and subcontractors.
- The mentoring program is offered to companies that are considered a small company or are ownership, owned by women, owned by veterans or disabilities. The program sent in 2023, fully launched in 2024, and in program year 2025-26 will expand to several sessions to support extra Mentee Cohorten.
“The introduction of our fourth year of cooperation with the IPA, it is inspiring to constantly expand the vision of the Illinois Office to meet the needs of stakeholders,” said Patrice Flynn, senior director distributed energy sources for energy solutions. “As a program manager, we are proud to continue to strengthen the protection of consumers by supporting new initiatives and to support the current and new solar buyers through the mentoring program, because we help the IPA mission to make the benefits of renewable energy accessible to all residents and companies of Illinois.”
In program year 2025-26, the Public Schools category of the program will introduce new resources to increase awareness, education and support of school decision makers who are considering going solar energy with Illinois Shines. The program will promote a recorded webinar that is presented to schools that have completed the carbon -free assessment of the public schools, offer 1: 1 workshops for schools and districts that seek individualized discussions and support, and share the recently published parts Case Study Public School And other school success stories.
News item from the Illinois Power Agency
