The Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Residential Solar Pilot will be implemented in three community areas across Illinois. The following parameters were used to determine the selected communities: a Chicago community area, a Cook County or Collar County suburban municipality, or a Metropolitan or Micropolitan Statistical area outside the ComEd utility territory. The community areas were selected based on analysis and deliberation of scored and unscored criteria.
The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) and the Program Administrator (the Program Team) are pleased to announce the three community areas selected for the Residential Solar Pilot. Those communities are:
1. West Garfield Park, Chicago
The neighborhood of West Garfield Park is an environmental justice community with a high percentage of income-eligible 1-4-unit households. The neighborhood has participated in energy efficiency programs and Illinois Shines but remains underserved by ILSFA programming. Because of this, West Garfield Park represents a community highly eligible to participate in ILSFA but faces barriers that may be addressed through this pilot.
2. Waukegan, IL
The City of Waukegan is mostly designated as an environmental justice community with high numbers of income-eligible 1-4-unit households and home ownership. The community will be served by a CEJA workforce hub and has a retired coal fired power plant in the area. Waukegan has high numbers of installations through Illinois Shines but remains underserved by ILSFA. Because of these reasons, the City of Waukegan represents a community eligible to participate in ILSFA but faces barriers that may be addressed through this pilot.
3. Carbondale-Marion Micropolitan Statistical Area
The Carbondale-Marion Micropolitan Statistical Area includes Jackson, Williamson, and Johnson counties. This geographic area has many income-eligible 1-4-unit households. There will be a CEJA workforce hub in the City of Carbondale, and the area has multiple coal fired plants and mines. The area has seen multiple installations through Illinois Shines but not with ILSFA. Because of these reasons, the Carbondale-Marion Micropolitan Statistical Area represents communities eligible to participate in ILSFA but faces barriers that may be addressed through this pilot.
The Program Team looks forward to working within these communities in the Residential Solar Pilot to expand access to household solar installations.