On April 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $156 million (the maximum award available to Illinois) to Illinois through the Illinois Finance Authority/Climate Bank (IFA) to expand existing solar incentive programs and bring the benefits of solar energy to income-eligible and disadvantaged communities.

This award is part of the comprehensive $7 billion Solar for All program grant competition. Developed under the Inflation Reduction Act, this grant supports states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits nationwide that enable underserved and disadvantaged communities to benefit from solar energy, lower energy costs, create good-quality jobs in communities facing energy burdens, and tackle the climate crisis. The EPA selected 60 applicants to receive funding.

A portion of the funds, which will be distributed by the IFA, will help the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) to expand access to Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) programs. Additionally, the funds from the Illinois Climate Bank will provide financial assistance to support health and safety, enable upgrades, incorporate energy storage, support energy sovereignty and community-driven projects, and provide support to diverse solar vendors to grow their businesses to bring solar projects to income-eligible communities. This investment will also improve and extend direct community engagement efforts to expand residential solar projects and build upon Illinois’ soon-to-be-implemented clean energy workforce development programs to grow an equitable workforce. The funding is expected to roll out in the fall of 2024.