As of January 1st, 2025, new solar customers will receive net metering for their supply charges, but NOT for their delivery charges or taxes/fees as they have in the past. Customers will be able to choose between a 1:1 kWh or monetary credit for excess electricity exported to the grid, applied to their next bill if exports exceed consumption. These credits will not expire.

To offset the initial cost to install solar and/or storage, customers can apply for a one-time “Distributed Generation (DG) Rebate” (also called the “Smart Inverter Rebate”) and/or the “Storage Rebate.” The DG Rebate offers an incentive of $300 per kilowatt of generating capacity and the Storage Rebate offers an incentive of $300 per kilowatt hour of storage. A customer must participate in a peak time rebate program, hourly pricing program or time of use rate program offered by their utility to qualify for the Storage Rebate.

Solar customers who installed their system BEFORE January 1, 2025 will receive full retail net metering, which includes for supply charges, delivery charges, and taxes/fees. This is legacy net metering.

To qualify, the installation, testing, and final inspections of a customer's system must be completed, and all required paperwork submitted to the utility by 5:00 PM CT on December 31, 2024.

Legacy customers will receive legacy net metering for the whole lifetime of the system, but the credits will zero out once a year, in either April or October.

Legacy customers in ComEd territory may expand their systems with no cap and still retain legacy net metering. Legacy customers in Ameren territory may expand their systems with a cap at 100% and still retain legacy net metering.

Learn more on the Solar Powers Illinois Net Metering Landing Page!

Watch the NEM transition webinar recorded on September 5, 2024 here. Organized by ISEA and SEIA, the webinar was presented by Nikhil Vijaykar, Partner with Keyes and Fox, who represents community choice aggregation providers, clean energy companies, transportation sector clients, and advocates in administrative litigation, rulemakings, and other regulatory matters. Representatives from Illinois’ investor-owned utilities were on hand to help answer questions.

Eligible Training Providers Can Apply to Run CEJA Pre-Apprenticeship Programs Today

SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today launched $10 million in funding for the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program and $6 million for the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program as part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The programs will increase training opportunities in the trades, expand the clean energy talent pipeline, and boost diversity in the clean energy trade industries by providing resources to limit barriers to participation. The programs will be run through training partners which will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

“The Climate Works and Barrier Reduction programs are essential to opening the door to countless opportunities in the clean energy trades industry for communities who have historically been left out and left behind,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Economic progress in Illinois depends on our diverse workforce, and these investments will break down barriers for more women and people of color to pave the way with good-paying careers that will push our state toward a carbon-free future. The strategic investments we make today in our clean energy workforce will have a lasting impact for generations to come.”

“The future of Illinois is bright as we work towards creating jobs that will contribute to a robust economy, while building a clean energy environment that benefits all communities,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “This pre-apprenticeship program seeks out and shapes talent, and addresses their needs equitably so they are set up for success. This is how we uplift communities to access the opportunities to thrive.”

The Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program will prioritize underrepresented populations and Illinoisans living in communities that have historically faced economic and environmental barriers, bolstering a diverse workforce in the clean energy industry. The Climate Works program will be bolstered by Barrier Reduction Program funding, which will provide services for participants to address common barriers for underrepresented populations such as transportation, childcare, supplies, and other expenditures that often amount to roadblocks to success.

“Supporting Illinois’ strong, diverse and qualified workforce is among DCEO’s highest priorities as we build our clean energy future and grow our economy,” said DCEO Director Kristin A. Richards. “Climate Works doesn’t just offer training opportunities in the clean energy sector – it also provides comprehensive support, and funding to eliminate economic barriers to sector access. This pre-apprenticeship program relies on nationally recognized credentials to train the workforce, and is designed to help participants succeed while creating a more diverse workforce pipeline. Thousands of future Climate Works participants will help push Illinois toward securing a carbon-free future.”

The Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program will align with the needs of clean energy employers in the construction and building trades, provide students with nationally recognized certifications, and provide a pathway to an apprenticeship in the growing renewable energy, electrification and energy efficiency industries. The program will also provide access to educational and career counseling along with hands-on learning that will reinforce foundational professional skills taught in the classroom.

“Communities like mine are too often left behind, even when the larger economy is booming,” said State Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (D-Chicago). “This pre-apprenticeship program will go a long way in ensuring that Black and Latino men and women are at the forefront of the clean-energy economy. I look forward to seeing the graduates of these programs from my district working on projects that will power Illinois for generations to come.”

As outlined in statute, the pre-apprenticeship program will consist of three regional centers serving the Chicago metropolitan area, Northern /Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois. Centers will recruit, prescreen, and provide pre-apprenticeship skills training, for which participants can attend free of charge, receive a stipend, and access to support services through the Barrier Reduction Program.

“Illinois has been leading the clean-energy revolution, and we are leading the way with our clean energy workforce as well,” said State Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin). “Between CEJA and the federal Inflation Reduction Act, there is going to be incredible demand for a workforce that knows their way around a wind turbine. Because of this pre-apprenticeship program, every community will have access to these jobs.”

People of color, women, and other underrepresented populations have historically been significantly underrepresented in apprenticeship programs. A pre-apprenticeship helps break down barriers and provide greater access to apprenticeships, which provide a pathway to good-paying long-term careers. The Climate Works model provides nationally recognized credentials, provides funding to cover costs to address barriers, and provides hands-on support that will help program graduates enter an apprenticeship program and lay the foundation for a long-term career in a growing sector.

The program is expected to enroll 500-700 pre-apprentices during its first year, with capacity increasing over the course of the program. Climate Works will help participants secure good-paying clean energy careers in construction, installation, maintenance and repair activities after being trained on topics specific to clean energy such as solar PV basics and building energy efficiency.

Through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), qualified entities can apply for grants, with awards ranging from $3 million to $6.5 million (inclusive of Illinois Climate Works and Barrier Reduction Program funding). Applications will be accepted until June 2, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. To view the NOFO and apply for the grant, please visit the DCEO website. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov for application assistance.

To help applicants prepare to apply for funding, DCEO will also be hosting a series of informational webinars:

• Bidder's Conference: April 26 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. [Register here]

• Technical assistance workshop for first-time applicants: May 9 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. [Register here]

The Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program and Barrier Reduction Program are two of several workforce programs established by the landmark CEJA legislation intended to move Illinois to a 100% carbon-free future. Under CEJA, DCEO will administer $180 million per year in workforce and community support programs designed to build Illinois' clean energy economy and prepare the state's workforce and communities for the jobs of the future.

DCEO is responsible for implementing programs to prepare Illinois' workforce for the transition to clean energy and to support Illinois communities undergoing energy transitions, including the following:

• Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program (20 ILCS 730/5-45)

• Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program (20 ILCS 730/5-55)

• Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program ("Clean Jobs Hubs") (20 ILCS 730/5-20)

• Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Initiative Fund (20 ILCS 3855/1-75)

• Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program (20 ILCS 730/5-30)

• Energy Transition Community Support Grants (20 ILCS 730/10-20)

• Energy Transition Navigators Program (20 ILCS 730/5-35)

• Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program (20 ILCS 730/5-40)

• Jobs and Environmental Justice Grant Program (20 ILCS 730/5-60)

• Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program (20 ILCS 730/5-50)

CHICAGO (PRWEB) FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Five months after the passage of Illinois’ landmark clean energy law, solar businesses have installed enough renewable energy to power 30,000 homes and are building a more diverse workforce with the help of job training programs. Data collected by the solar industry found 2022 is on track to be one of the biggest years for solar energy in Illinois’ history. The renewable energy industry plans to complete more than 8,400 additional solar installations and increase its workforce by nearly 50% in 2022. Data was provided by members of the Solar Energy Industries Association, Illinois Solar Energy Association and the Coalition for Community Solar Access and the Illinois Power Agency.

The progress is due in large part to the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) that was enacted on September 15, 2021. Governor JB Pritzker described the legislation as “the most significant step Illinois has taken toward a reliable, renewable, affordable and clean energy future in a generation.” CEJA sets the long-term goal of 100% clean energy in Illinois by 2050 but also provides immediate steps that help accelerate the renewable energy transition that’s already underway in Illinois.

Data from the Illinois Power Agency shows that:

• 8,052 waitlisted solar projects have moved forward and are expected to be approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission this month.
• 250 MW of new community solar projects have been approved– when completed, these projects will allow an estimated 35,000 families to lower their electric bills without installing solar panels.

A survey of solar businesses in Illinois found that:

• More than 2,000 rooftop and community solar projects have already been installed and are generating enough electricity to power more than 30,000 homes.
• Illinois businesses will complete more than 8,400 rooftop and community solar projects by the end of 2022.
• Businesses are hiring rapidly and the workforce in the state is expected to increase 47% by the end of this year.

Renewable energy businesses reported that they have already expanded their work on diversity, equity and inclusion by recruiting from solar job training programs, creating internal committees focused on diversity and hiring consultants and recruiters to guide their diversity efforts.

The Illinois Power Agency maintains an online map of solar projects that participate in the state’s adjustable block program here – roughly 25,000 solar projects have been completed since the program launched in 2017. The Agency is currently developing its long-term renewable energy plan that will establish the path for renewable energy growth for coming years. The plan will establish an Equity Eligible Contractor certification and an Equity Accountability System in the next 12-18 months.

About Coalition for Community Solar Access
The Coalition for Community Solar Access is a national Coalition of businesses and non-profits working to expand customer choice and access to solar for all American households and businesses through community solar. Our mission is to empower every American energy consumer with the option to choose local, clean, and affordable community solar. For more information, visit https://www.communitysolaraccess.org and follow the group on Facebook.

About The Illinois Solar Energy Association
The Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) is a non-profit organization that promotes the widespread application of solar and other forms of renewable energy through our mission of education and advocacy. ISEA is the state resource for renewable energy related policy developments, educational classes, events and access to local renewable energy businesses. http://www.illinoissolar.org

About Solar Energy Industries Association
The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Visit SEIA online at http://www.seia.org and follow @SEIA on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

The nonprofit Evergreen Climate Innovations, formerly Clean Energy Trust, and the U.S. Bank Foundation are on a mission to support underserved and underrepresented cleantech entrepreneurs through the U.S. Bank Foundation Cleantech Inclusion Award.

This award will be granted to entrepreneurs who are female and/or people of color and who are building innovative companies that benefit the environment, create jobs, and drive economic development.

Recipients of the award will receive:

• a non-recourse grant of $25,000,
• 12-months of business mentorship from Evergreen Climate Innovations and U.S. Bank,
• and heightened exposure to both investors and potential customers.

Please visit the website to learn more about the application criteria and how entrepreneurs can apply. Eligible sectors include renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart buildings/cities, energy storage, mobility/advanced transportation, and environmental product/ service innovation.

The award application window is open now but closes on February 25, 2022.

Public Act 102-0662 (the “Climate and Equitable Jobs Act”) was signed into law and became effective on September 15, 2021. The IPA Act, as amended by Public Act 102-0662, establishes a subsequent forward procurement for indexed renewable energy credits from new utility-scale wind projects, new utility-scale solar projects, and new brownfield site photovoltaic projects. The Illinois Power Agency (“IPA”) will be conducting a competitive procurement event (the “Indexed REC RFP”) in Spring 2022 for the procurement of indexed renewable energy credits.

On December 6, 2021, the Procurement Administrator posted to the procurement website a document containing preliminary proposal requirements and draft key contract terms. The Procurement Administrator invites interested parties to submit their comments on any aspect of the preliminary proposal requirements and draft key contract terms. The Procurement Administrator also seeks stakeholder feedback on specific topics. The comment process is explained in the Invitation to Comment posted here. The process can be summarized as follows:

• Please include your comments on the preliminary proposal requirements and draft key contract terms in an attachment and email it to the Procurement Administrator at: Illinois-RFP@nera.com
• Please provide telephone and e-mail contact information in the event that the Procurement Administrator seeks clarification regarding your comments.
• Please include a reference to the section name from the left-hand column of the applicable table that is applicable to the requirement or contract term for which you are providing comment(s).

The deadline to provide comments is Friday, December 17, 2021.

To receive updates and information regarding the Indexed REC RFP, please click here to register for the mailing list.

As authorized under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (Public Act 102-0662), the Adjustable Block Program will reopen to project applications on December 14, 2021. REC pricing for this new Program capacity has been developed consistent with the Act’s requirements, and block reopening REC prices have been published on the ABP website.

Please note that these REC prices are only applicable to new capacity available resultant from program reopening under Public Act 102-0662. The Agency plans to reexamine REC pricing for all subsequent annual blocks of the Adjustable Block Program through updates to its Long-Term Renewable Resource Procurement Plan. A draft version of that updated Plan will be published on January 13, 2022 and Commission approval of that updated Plan is expected by July of 2022.

Public Act 102-0662 (the “Climate and Equitable Jobs Act”) was signed into law and became effective on September 15, 2021. The IPA Act, as amended by Public Act 102-0662, establishes a subsequent forward procurement for indexed renewable energy credits from new utility-scale wind projects, new utility-scale solar projects, and new brownfield site photovoltaic projects. 

The schedule for the Indexed Wind, Solar, and Brownfield REC RFP is posted to the Calendar page of the procurement website. Preliminary proposal requirements will be posted on Friday, December 3, 2021.  To receive updates and information regarding the Indexed REC RFP, please register here.

The Illinois Power Agency has issued Requests for Stakeholder Feedback on various topics as the Agency prepares to develop the 2022 Revised Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan. These Stakeholder Requests for Feedback covers topics that focus on new elements of the Plan that implement provisions of the recently enacted Public Act 102-0662 (the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act). The linked documents below provide background on the various requests and pose numerous questions for stakeholder input. Stakeholders can respond to as few or as many of these topics as they see fit.

Feedback on the topics outlined below are due by 5:00 PM Central Prevailing Time (“CPT”) on Friday, December 3, 2021. Responses to this Request for Stakeholder Feedback should be emailed to IPA.ContactUs@Illinois.gov . Details for how to submit responses are found in each individual document. Responses will be made public and published on the Renewable Resources Workshop page of the Agency’s website.

Stakeholder Feedback Request Documents

1. High Level RPS Questions

2. Utility Scale Questions

3. Self-Direct Questions

4. Adjustable Block Program Questions

5. Illinois Solar for All Questions

6. Consumer Protection Questions

7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Questions

8. REC Price Questions

Stakeholder Workshops

To facilitate feedback, the IPA will hold virtual workshops on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Registration is required to attend the workshops. Please click the following links for registration:

Workshop Session 1

Thursday, November 18, 2021

9am - Noon

REGISTER HERE

• High Level RPS Questions
• Utility Scale Questions
• Self-Direct Questions
• REC Price Questions
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Questions

Workshop Session 2

Thursday, November 18, 2021

1pm -4pm

REGISTER HERE

• Illinois Solar for All Questions
• Adjustable Block Program Questions
• Consumer Protection Questions

Recordings and slides for IPA Stakeholder workshops and webinars can be found here.

Recordings and slides for IPA Power Hours can be found here.

Requests for Stakeholder Feedback for Adjustable Block Program Opening

The IPA has issued Requests for Stakeholder Feedback to solicit comments as the Agency prepares to open new capacity for the Adjustable Block Program (ABP) in line with the new requirements of Public Act 102-0662 (the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act). Written stakeholder feedback is due on November 4, 2021. As part of this stakeholder feedback process, the IPA will be holding two virtual workshops on Thursday, October 21, 2021. The first workshop will be held from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM CPT and will cover topics related to new Program requirements. The second workshop will be held from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM CPT and will cover the development of new ABP REC contracts. Registration is required to attend the workshops. For more information and to register for the Workshops, visit the Adjustable Block Program website. Register for the IPA Power Hour Webinar This Friday! The Agency will be hosting its IPA Power Hour Webinar 2: Impact of CEJA on the Adjustable Block Program on Friday, October 22, 2021. IPA Power Hour Webinars are educational and informative and feature a wide range of clean energy topics and issues presented over the lunch hour. Registration is required to attend the IPA Power Hour Webinar this coming Friday. For registration, click the webinar registration page. IPA Launches new Dedicated Resource Page on Public Act 102-0662 Implementation The IPA’s new dedicated resource page on Public Act 102-0662 implementation includes information on activities crucial to the Agency. This includes the development of a Carbon Mitigation Credit Procurement Plan (to support at-risk nuclear plants), procurements of Renewable Energy Credits from new utility-scale wind and solar projects, changes to the Adjustable Block Program and the Illinois Solar for All Program, the reopening of Adjustable Block Program blocks, the development of a coal-to-solar procurement process, and many other requirements. This dedicated CEJA implementation page serves as an up-to-date hub of information to ensure stakeholders and interested parties are apprised the latest developments related to the Agency's implementation of the Act. This page will be updated periodically, and important developments will be shared as needed.   The IPA is Hiring The IPA is actively seeking candidates for several positions: Consumer Protection Counsel IT Coordinator Program Associate Fellow To learn more about the positions and apply, visit the Current Open Positions page on the IPA website.