Illinois Solar for All Program
Illinois Solar for All helps income-eligible residents reduce electricity bills through solar panels installed on their property or via community solar subscriptions with no or low upfront costs. The program requires approved solar companies to offer terms that guarantee you pay less for electricity than without solar, with savings appearing as credits on your monthly bill. Check the eligibility tool on the program website to see if you qualify.
This program targets income-eligible households and organizations seeking solar solutions, offering a customer base motivated by guaranteed bill savings and streamlined financing. Approved solar companies must structure offers to ensure participants pay less for electricity than baseline rates, making transparent, affordable terms essential to compete in this market segment.
Illinois Solar for All operates four sub-programs (Low-Income Single-Family/Small Multifamily, Community Solar, Non-Profit/Public Facilities, and Low-Income Multifamily) plus the Bright Neighborhoods Initiative offering no-cost solar in select Chicago, Waukegan, and Carbondale-Marion areas. As part of Illinois's Renewable Portfolio Standard, the program uses SREC purchases at higher prices than the Illinois Shines program to incentivize deployment among low-income households, nonprofits, schools, and public facilities through system ownership, community solar subscriptions, or host arrangements.
Program details
- Program ID
- 22442
- Last updated
- 8/14/2024
Eligibility
- Sectors
- local government nonprofit residential schools multifamily residential
- Technologies
- solar photovoltaics
Incentive amount
$66,500,000 annually
Program summary
Information for this program is taken from the 2024 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan
As part of its Renewable Portfolio Standard, Illinois operates two SREC purchase programs to support deployment of solar photovoltaic generation.
By offering more generous REC prices than the Illinois Shines program, the Illinois Solar for All program incents low-income residents (as well as non-profit and public facilities) to participate in solar projects, whether as a system owner, community solar project subscriber, or system host.
The Illinois Solar for All Program consists of four sub-programs: the Low-Income Single-Family and Small Multifamily Solar Incentive (also referred to as "Residential Solar (Small)"); the Low-Income Community Solar Project Initiative (referred to as "Community Solar"); the Non-Profit and Public Facilities program; and the Low-Income Multifamily Solar Incentive (referred to as "Residential Solar (Large)").
The Illinois Solar for All Program also offers incentives through the Bright Neighborhoods Initiative in select areas. The initiative provides solar panels at no upfront cost to participants in West Garfield Park (Chicago), Waukegan, and the Carbondale-Marion area. Enrollment was open through March 31, 2024. Illinois Solar for All is recommending design changes for a re-launch of the Bright Neighborhoods initiative for the new program year.
Contact & resources
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
