Community Renewable Generation Project Rules
If you can't or don't want to put solar panels on your own roof, you can subscribe to a community solar project run by a third party and receive bill credits from your electric utility. Credits reflect energy supply, transmission, and capacity values but not delivery service costs, and ComEd offers consolidated billing, while Ameren's provider may bill the subscription fee or offer consolidated billing. Contact a community solar provider to subscribe, and check with your utility about how billing works.
Community solar projects in Illinois are owned and operated by third parties that sell subscriptions to individuals and businesses, and the rules were updated by Public Act 104-0458 (the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act). Projects can now be up to 10 MW (up from 5 MW), including colocated projects, projects over 3 MW must follow certain project labor agreements, and the net crediting (consolidated billing) fee is capped at 1%. Developers can pursue incentives through Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All, which purchase RECs from project developers.
Community renewable generation rules stem from Public Act 102-0662 (Climate and Equitable Jobs Act) as amended by Public Act 104-0458, covering third-party-owned solar PV that serves subscribers including individuals and businesses. Utilities issue bill credits including energy supply, transmission, and capacity values but excluding delivery charges, and must offer consolidated billing, which ComEd provides and Ameren may provide or leave to the provider. Project incentives are funded through REC purchases under Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All, with a 10 MW cap, labor agreement requirements above 3 MW, and a 1% maximum net crediting fee.
Program details
- Program ID
- 22440
- Last updated
- 3/26/2026
Eligibility
- Sectors
- commercial investor-owned utility
- Technologies
- solar photovoltaics
Program summary
Note: Information on community renewable projects in Illinois is also listed in the Net Metering program entry.
Illinois's most recent rules for community renewable generation projects are derived from Public Act 104-0458 (titled the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act), which modified the rules outlined in Public Act 102-0662 (titled the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act) of 2021. Key changes include increasing the maximum capacity from 5 MW to 10 MW (both individual and colocated), adding requirements that projects over 3 MW must adhere to certain project labor agreements, and lowering the maximum fee for net crediting (consolidated billing) to 1%.
Community solar projects are owned and operated by third parties, which offer subscriptions to individuals and businesses. Bill credits are provided by the electric utility at a rate which includes energy supply, transmission, and capacity values but excludes delivery service costs.
Incentives for community solar projects are provided through the Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All programs, which purchase RECs from project developers.
Public Act 102-0662 requires utilities to offer consolidated billing for community solar subscribers. As of early 2025, Commonwealth Edison offers consolidated billing; Ameren customers' community solar provider may bill the subscription fee or consolidated billing may be offered.
Contact & resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
