IPA Supports Stranded Solar Customers

The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) is committed to robust consumer protections for customers participating in the Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) solar incentive programs. As part of that commitment, the IPA works diligently to ensure positive experiences for Illinois residents and business interested in going solar.

There are, however, occasions when solar projects do not proceed as planned, and some of these cases fall under the “stranded customer” category. Examples include:

• Solar companies that are unable or unwilling to complete the solar project installation for customers and/or submit a project application to the Illinois Shines program 
• Solar companies that are suspended due to disciplinary action and prohibited from advancing projects through the application process  
• Solar companies that have ceased operations

In these cases, the stranded customer may be left without an “Approved Vendor” (AV) and/or “Designee” – solar developers and their contractors participating in the program – to submit application materials, advance their application through the review process, complete system installation, and/or pass through promised REC incentive payments from the contracting utility, where applicable.

In light of an increased volume of stranded customers within the Illinois Shines program, the Illinois Shines website contains a shortlist of registered AVs and Designees interested in serving stranded customers. This published list is being maintained by the Program Administrator to assist stranded customers in finding a new AV or Designee.

While tens of thousands of Illinois residents and businesses have benefitted from the Illinois Shines program, the Agency takes swift disciplinary action against AVs and Designees who are non-compliant with its consumer protection requirements.



In alignment with the IPA’s commitment to consumer protection, the Agency is currently working proactively to increase the economic incentive in the form of a Stranded Customer REC Adder for AVs who take on projects for customers who have been “stranded” by their original AV going out of business or otherwise becoming unavailable. To learn more, visit the Stranded Customer Resources within the Illinois Shines program website.

IPA Holiday Hours

The IPA will be closed on December 25 for Christmas Day. The Agency will resume work on December 26. Additionally, the IPA will be closed on January 1, 2025, in observance of New Year’s Day. The Agency will resume work on January 2, 2025.

IPA Establishes DEI Advisory Committee

As part of the Agency’s ongoing commitment to equity, the IPA has established a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Committee. The committee, which meets quarterly, aims to ensure that the implementation of IPA-related equity initiatives is informed by diverse perspectives, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and inclusivity of these programs.

The IPA DEI Advisory Committee is composed of 10-15 members and includes representatives from the following categories: Coalitions, Community-Based Organizations, Community Action Agencies, Equity Eligible Persons, Equity Eligible Contractors (EECs), Environmental Justice Advocates, Clean Energy Companies, Unions, and Educational Institutions.

The first IPA DEI Advisory Committee meeting was held on Thursday, November 14. Agenda, slides, and meeting minutes are now available on the DEI Advisory Committee webpage on the IPA website.

To learn more about the Committee’s description of duties, membership, and designation, and how the Committee will inform the IPA’s equity work, visit the DEI Advisory Committee webpage.



2024-25 Illinois Shines Mentorship Program Now Open for Registration

On November 4, following the successful Mentorship Pilot Program in Program Year 2023-24, the Illinois Shines Program Administrator opened registration for the 2024-25 Mentorship Program.

The Mentorship Program supports AVs and Designees that are 1) EECs and/or 2) minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and/or disability-owned businesses, or 3) small businesses. The Mentorship Program is offered annually and provides participants with training and presentations to help them successfully navigate Program requirements, application procedures, CEJA equity requirements, and other aspects of the Illinois Shines program. Additionally, the Mentorship Program provides a platform for networking opportunities between AVs and Designees.

The initial Mentorship Pilot, which included an eight-week training between October 23 and December 18, 2023, covered several key topics including Illinois Shines program requirements, application submission processes and procedures, marketing best practices, consumer protection, and Program resources. The Program Administrator received positive feedback from mentees throughout the pilot. In testimonials given after its conclusion, mentees stated that the training program was an “invaluable experience” and “instrumental” in building confidence and knowledge on the renewable energy landscape. To read these testimonials and explore the results of the pilot, please see the Illinois Shines Mentorship Pilot Program Final Report.  

Registration to participate as a mentor or mentee in the 2024-25 Mentorship Program closes on December 6 at 11:59 p.m. CT.  

To learn more about the Mentorship Program, please visit the Illinois Shines website.