FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Law Signed by Governor Quinn to Promote Solar Energy in Illinois 

ILLINOIS, July 2, 2014: --  Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation on Saturday to promote solar energy purchases in Illinois. With this law, $30 million will be available to develop solar projects including residential rooftop solar installations.

“These last days of June are some of the longest of the year, the perfect time to talk about getting more of our electricity from solar,” Governor Quinn said. “Thousands of residents will soon get cheaper, cleaner energy, and we will create good paying jobs for working families in the process. It’s this sort of innovation that has made Illinois a national leader in clean energy production.”

House Bill 2427 frees $30 million from the Illinois Power Agency’s Renewable Energy Resources Fund that has been collected from clean energy fees paid by Illinois power suppliers. The law establishes a competitive procurement process to purchase energy from existing solar devices and from new solar installations. This could mean thousands of new solar panel installations on homes in Illinois. The law is effective immediately.

Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) Executive Director Lesley McCain said “Solar businesses in Illinois are extremely pleased that Governor Quinn has signed this legislation. We would like to thank State Representative Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) and State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) for sponsoring the bill. This special solar procurement will be incredibly significant for our business members and help make solar more affordable for Illinois homeowners.”

Contact:

Illinois Solar Energy Association

contactisea@illinoissolar.org

http://www.illinoissolar.org

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