Illinois has a new Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and with it will come greater stability and predictability for the clean energy sector including solar installers, developers and system owners. Having originally started as part of the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill until early 2016, when state legislative leaders requested all energy focused bills in Illinois merge into a single piece of legislation. The end result is the Future Energy Jobs Bill, a comprehensive energy package, encompassing many technologies including solar, wind and energy efficiency. The bill also establishes a new Zero Energy Credit (ZEC) market designed to compensate the Clinton and Quad Cities failing Exelon nuclear plants for their low carbon emissions in exchange for commitments to keep them open for 10 years.   

This bill will ensure development of every type of solar - residential, commercial & utility scale - within all public utility service areas, while also ensuring that all ratepayers have fair and easy access to the solar technology either through direct purchase, community solar subscriptions or low income solar programs.  

As the name implies, the focus is on creating clean jobs - building an industry that will provide clean energy solutions that result in good paying, long term jobs across Illinois.

Click here to read a full statement on the bill. You can also look at the slides from the 12/13/16 Policy Webinar on the Future Jobs Bill here. You can watch the webinar here.