Power Pulse!

A quarterly newsletter featuring the latest news and information

from the Illinois Power Agency.

Our vision is to provide a clean, reliable, equitable, and cost-effective

energy future for residents and businesses across Illinois.

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On October 2, the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) launched Phase I of the Illinois Clean Energy Dashboard at cleanenergy.illinois.gov.

The Dashboard website, developed by IPA staff, is designed to track the progress and impact of renewable energy development across Illinois. The Dashboard website tracks renewable energy projects within and outside of the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard and serves as an educational tool for stakeholders and policymakers to quickly answer common questions about the growth of renewable energy in Illinois.

“The IPA’s Clean Energy Dashboard is the product of well over one year of work corralling numerous different data sets and transforming that data into visualizations to provide a consolidated, in-depth, visualized overview of the growth of the Illinois clean energy economy,” said IPA Director Brian Granahan. “IPA staff is commonly asked basic questions about how many new renewable energy projects have come online or how our progress in Illinois compares to progress in other states, and I’m very proud of our team’s efforts in developing the Clean Energy Dashboard as a helpful resource.”

Equipped with charts and graphs, the Dashboard website visually explores Illinois’ evolution in electricity generation, from traditional to renewable energy, compared to its Midwest counterparts. Additionally, the Dashboard website offers visitors a view of the overall growth of renewable energy in Illinois with a focus on equity, bolstering public understanding of how the IPA’s renewable energy programs and procurements support that growth.

The data on the Dashboard further highlights how legislation like the Future Energy Jobs Act (2016) and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (2021) has played a critical role in accelerating renewable energy development in Illinois.

Launching in 2025, Phase II of the Illinois Clean Energy Dashboard will include interactive dashboards, accessible on desktop and mobile devices.

To explore the Illinois Clean Energy Dashboard, please visit cleanenergy.illinois.gov.

IPA Hosts Legislative Lunch & Learn Series

This summer, the IPA launched a new educational webinar series entitled “IPA Summer School: Lunch & Learn for Legislators and Staff.” This series was designed to introduce legislators, government leaders, and staff to the IPA, its solar incentive programs, and the IPA’s progress toward achieving clean energy and equity goals. This four-part webinar series wrapped up in September. Stakeholders can now access the recordings and presentations on the IPA website:

• Session 1: "Understanding the IPA's Solar Incentive Programs"

• Session 2: "How Consumer Protections for the IPA's Solar Incentive Programs Work"

• Session 3: "Advancing IPA's Equity Initiatives in the Clean Energy Transition"

• Session 4: "IPA's Clean Energy Dashboard & Progress Toward State Clean Energy Goals"

After the sessions, registrants also received additional program materials to share with their constituents following the close of each session.

Electricity Procurement Plan Update

On September 30, the IPA filed its 2025 Annual Electricity Procurement Plan with the Illinois Commerce Commission for approval.

The Procurement Plan serves as the Agency’s roadmap for meeting the electricity supply needs of residential and small commercial customers taking fixed price service from Illinois electric utilities.

The draft 2025 Electricity Procurement Plan was released for public comment on August 15, 2024.

The 2025 Electricity Procurement Plan and supporting documents can be found on the IPA website.

On September 26, the IPA launched a dedicated Small and Emerging Business Hub (Hub), with a goal to centralize industry-specific information to help small and emerging businesses navigate the clean energy sector successfully. The Hub serves as a tool for Illinois’s small and emerging business community to connect with targeted programs and resources that meet their needs in entering the clean energy economy.

The Hub, which resides on the Energy Workforce Equity Portal, streamlines new and existing resources to small and emerging businesses navigating the solar landscape in Illinois. This includes information on essential aspects of the IPA’s solar incentive programs, step-by-step guidance on becoming an Approved Vendor with Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All, benefits of participation, financial incentives, and support services tailored to the needs of small and emerging businesses navigating the programs and their requirements. The Hub also features a wide range of local, state, and federal resources, including business planning, entrepreneurial development, grants and funding, workforce training and human resources, and more. Small and emerging businesses can leverage the Hub’s wide range of materials to help them start and grow their businesses.

“Achieving equity across the clean energy economy requires dedicated support for individuals and small business who may not have the same institutional experience as their larger counterparts,” said IPA Director Brian Granahan. “We hope that the IPA’s new Small and Emerging Business Hub gives those entities a helpful starting point in navigating business development and growth, thus allowing enhanced access to the clean energy economy for all.”

The Hub underscores the IPA DEI’s mission to strengthen and advance equity in the clean energy industry by increasing access to the growing clean energy economy for communities that have historically been excluded from opportunities within the energy sector.



IPA Releases Equity Accountability System Assessment Part I

On August 16, the IPA released Part I of its Equity Accountability System (EAS) Assessment evaluating the effectiveness of statutory EAS provisions in promoting equity across the clean energy economy. Introduced into Illinois law through CEJA in 2021, the EAS works to ensure that new opportunities created by the growing clean energy economy are equitable and accessible to all. Through the EAS, the Agency is empowered to adhere to CEJA’s equity requirements and help historically underserved communities participate in and benefit from the growing clean energy economy in Illinois.

Components of the Equity Accountability System include the following: 

• A minimum equity standard (MES) applicable to the project workforce of companies participating in select IPA programs and procurements

• A dedicated category within Illinois Shines for solar projects submitted by Equity Eligible Contactors (EECs)

• The availability of an advance of capital predating project development within the EEC category

• Bid selection preferences for utility-scale solar and wind projects committed to using a higher percentage of EECs in project construction

• An online portal used to link clean energy companies to Equity Eligible Persons (EEPs)

Although some components of the EAS did not take effect until 2023, Illinois law requires that the IPA “publish a report evaluating the effectiveness of the equity actions point criteria” by Fall 2024, with that report delivered to the General Assembly, the Governor’s Office, and the Illinois Commerce Commission.

The EAS Assessment is being released in two parts. Part I featured a robust analysis of implementation of the EAS based on data collected through the Agency’s programs and procurements, stakeholder interviews, surveys, and other feedback. Additionally, Part I included important information on the participation of Equity Eligible Persons and Equity Eligible Contractors in the growing clean energy economy in Illinois. Part II will provide more robust discussion of MES compliance, including compliance rates, waiver rates and related observations.

New Consumer Protection Initiatives Coming Soon

The IPA is committed to consumer protection and works diligently to ensure positive experiences for Illinois residents and businesses seeking to go solar. As part of that commitment, the IPA is in the process of launching three new initiatives to better protect customers against bad actors in the solar industry. These initiatives were originally proposed in the 2024 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan, which was approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) on February 20:

• The Escrow Process will be used when necessary to ensure that customers who have been promised a portion of the Renewable Energy Credit (REC) incentive payment do in fact receive that promised payment through utilization of an escrow agent as a payee. This initiative answers a concern that has arisen in the context of Illinois Shines Distributed Generation customers, where some Approved Vendors have not passed through promised REC incentive payments.

• The Restitution Program will provide economic assistance to customers who have been harmed through financially detrimental experiences with solar companies for projects participating in Illinois Shines or Illinois Solar for All.

• The Stranded Customer REC Adder creates an economic incentive for Approved Vendors of the IPA’s solar incentive programs to take on “stranded” customers whose original solar company has stopped moving forward with their projects due to ceased or limited operations, or for other reasons, such as disciplinary action.

While the majority of Illinoisans choosing to install solar projects at their homes or businesses have positive experiences, the IPA is dedicated to addressing issues as they arise within the state’s fast-evolving solar industry. To learn more, visit the Consumer Protection Initiatives page on the Illinois Shines website.

IPA Conducts Post-Award Indexed REC Process Workshops

The IPA’s 2024 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan outlined a process for exploring post-award REC delivery contract term changes for utility-scale wind and utility-scale solar projects.

The IPA is currently conducting a series of workshops running through November 2024 with the goal that an Indexed REC contract post-award negotiation process may be finalized for inclusion in a compliance filing with the ICC by mid-February 2025.

For more information and to access materials and notes from each workshop, please visit the Downstream Negotiation for Indexed REC Contracts page on the IPA website.



IPA Relocates to New Office Space

Effective October 23, the IPA has moved into its new offices at 180 N Wabash Ave, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois, 60601. 

The Agency’s former office location no longer had sufficient space to accommodate the IPA’s growing team. When the IPA moved to its previous office space in 2018, the Agency only had eight employees. Enactment and consequent implementation of FEJA in 2016 and CEJA in 2021 have driven significant IPA staff growth. The Agency now has 50 employees – and that number is growing monthly. This new office space is large enough to accommodate the entire IPA team, with room for additional growth.  

The new space will allow IPA staff to connect more in-person, fostering teamwork and innovation.



External Events Featuring IPA Speakers

On October 24, IPA Director Brian Granahan presented at New Project Media’s Distributed Generation (DG) Development & Finance Forum 2024. The forum was attended by DG and community solar developers, financiers, investors, advisors, and utilities, and included discussions on renewable energy procurements, energy planning policies, solar markets, DG expansion and more.

At the event, Brian’s presentation focused on best practices for community solar programs by outlining the past, present, and future of community solar in Illinois. Illinois is now one of the country’s largest community solar markets, with over 1500 MW of community solar projects having received REC delivery contracts through IPA programs.  

To learn more about the DG Development and Finance Forum, please visit the New Project Media website.

IPA Staff Joins Coalition for Community Solar Access Panel Discussion

On October 16, IPA Chief Legal Counsel Kelly Turner spoke on a panel hosted by the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA), sharing the panel with Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Chairman Doug Scott and Illinois State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr. The discussion highlighted how landmark policies like the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act, Future Energy Jobs Act, and Climate Equitable Jobs Act have made significant strides in Illinois’ renewable energy landscape. The panel also touched on key challenges in Illinois community solar implementation, and how policymakers, government, utilities, and developers can work together to overcome these challenges while positioning the state as a continued leader in the clean energy space.

IPA Staff Attends Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies Conference

IPA Chief Legal Counsel Kelly Turner (second from left) discusses transmission challenges and opportunities as part of a panel at Illinois State University's Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies (IRPS) Conference in Springfield, Illinois.

IPA Staff Attends Illinois Renewable Energy Conference

Across October 1-2, Agency staff attended the Illinois Renewable Energy Conference (IREC) in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. 

IPA Chief Strategy and Communications Officer Megha Hamal and Chief DEI Officer Tanvi Shah presented on the Agency’s equity progress and initiatives, including the Small and Emerging Business Hub, which was recently launched on the Energy Workforce Equity Portal. The Hub serves as a tool for Illinois’ small and emerging business community to connect with targeted programs and resources that meet their needs in entering the clean energy economy. To tour the Hub, please visit the Energy Workforce Equity Portal.  

Additionally, IPA Data Analytics Manager Abigail Ramirez presented a plenary session on the Agency’s new Clean Energy Dashboard. The Clean Energy Dashboard website, developed by IPA staff, is designed to track the progress and impact of renewable energy development across Illinois. The Dashboard website tracks renewable energy projects within and outside of the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard and serves as an educational tool for stakeholders and policymakers to quickly answer common questions about the growth of renewable energy in Illinois.  

IPA Senior Advisor Anthony Star delivered a presentation on the future of Illinois’ renewable energy landscape and highlighted challenges facing the clean energy transition. Additionally, Program Associate for Illinois Shines Emily Asbury and Senior Trade Manager for Illinois Shines Program Administrator Energy Solutions, Jozsef Raduly, presented on how the Public Schools category within Illinois Shines supports solar projects at public schools in Illinois. Their presentation highlighted various challenges, solutions, and benefits of solar power for schools. 

To access these presentations, visit the conference website.

IPA Staff Joins Panels at Midcontinent Clean Energy Summit

Across August 20-21 in Indianapolis, IPA Director of Renewable Energy Finance Chandrika Mital spoke on a panel at the Midcontinent Clean Energy Summit, presented by Infocast. The panel, titled “Expanding Utility-Scale Solar & Wind,” highlighted transmission constraints for utility-scale renewable energy projects, including siting/permitting challenges, workforce limitations, and new policies that are changing the development outlook for the next few years.

Additionally, IPA Chief Legal Counsel Kelly Turner spoke on a panel titled “Expanding Community Solar & DERs.” The panel discussion focused on current regulations and incentives that are encouraging growth in community solar and other distributed energy resources, infrastructure expansions and incentive programs that are needed for continued growth of community solar and distributed generation in the MISO footprint, and more. The Summit also served as a forum for clean energy developers, corporate energy buyers, policymakers, consultants, utilities, Munis, and Co-ops to learn industry best practices and to connect with one another.

To learn more, please visit the Midcontinent Clean Energy Summit website.

Employee Spotlight

Register for IPA Power Hour 7—Upcoming Illinois Net Metering Changes

Please join the IPA for an educational Power Hour webinar, titled “Upcoming Illinois Net Metering Changes," on Friday, November 15, from 12-1 p.m. CT.

Net metering, one of the key drivers of solar energy in Illinois, will be undergoing significant changes effective January 1, 2025. With this development coming down the pike, the IPA will be hosting an educational webinar to discuss net metering policy changes and potential impacts to ComEd, MidAmerican, and Ameren customers.

Speakers for the webinar include IPA Chief Legal Counsel Kelly Turner, Environmental Law & Policy Center Senior Attorney Brad Klein, and Elevate Energy Chief Engineer Lawrence Kotewa.

Registration is required to attend this webinar.

Date: November 15, 2024

Time: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. CT

REGISTER NOW



IPA in the News

Energy News Network: Midwest study finds solar farms don’t hurt property values and they may even boost them

Surge Radio: Illinois Solar Panel Incentives: Rebates, Tax Credits, and More

PV Magazine: Illinois energy storage legislation may save ratepayers $30 per month

Solar Power World: Illinois moving to “Smart Solar Billing” in 2025

The IPA is Hiring!

The IPA is actively recruiting for the following positions:

• Deputy Legal Counsel

• Associate Legal Counsel

• Clean Energy Administration Fellowship

• Planning and Procurement Post-Graduate Fellowship

To apply for these positions, please visit the IPA Careers page.