Community Solar allows income-eligible homeowners and renters to benefit from solar energy savings without installing solar panels on their property. In this state program, residents subscribe to a community solar project in their utility area, built by qualified solar companies called Approved Vendors. Participants are guaranteed to see savings on their energy bills.
HOW IT WORKS
1
Approved Vendors build large solar projects to support renewable energy needs in communities across Illinois.
2
Eligible residents subscribe to a solar project with no upfront costs in their utility area.
3
Subscribers receive credits on their electricity bill based on their share of the electricity generated from the solar project.
4
Participants will begin seeing savings on their electric bill!
Who Can Participate in Illinois Solar for All: Community Solar?
Renters and Homeowners
Households must have an income of 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Benefits of Subscribing to Solar
Simple Process
- Easy to subscribe
- Guaranteed savings on electric bills
- Ability to reduce electricity costs without a solar installation
Community Impact
- Reduces the impact of climate change in your community
- Helps Illinois reach its renewable energy goals
Frequently Asked Questions – Community Solar
The graphic below is an example of how ILSFA can help lower your electricity bill monthly with a Community Solar subscription.
Electricity Bill Before Solar
Supply 800kWh x $0.10$80
Delivery$45
Fees$8
Total $133
Electricity Bill With Solar
Supply 800kWh x $0.10$80
Community Solar Credit 600kWh x $0.10-$60
Total supply$20
Monthly Subscription Cost$30
Delivery$45
Fees$8
Total$103
Your monthly solar subscription fee can be no more than 50% of your community solar credit. Some solar providers offer no-cost subscriptions. You can use the standard disclosure forms from Approved Vendors to compare community solar offers. The savings example is based on average electricity supply rates. Individual savings will vary.
ILSFA guarantees all qualified Community Solar participants will see savings in the form of credits on their monthly utility electric bill. If your monthly credits are greater than your total electricity supply bill, those credits may roll over to the next month.
Below are the most common subscription options:
Fixed: You pay a fixed amount per kWh of electricity generated by your subscription. For example, you pay $0.03 kWh and receive a $0.06 per kWh hour bill credit. Your rate may include an annual escalation rate. This subscription option agreement must have no upfront costs and meet minimum savings requirements.
Percent Savings: This option refers to a guaranteed percent savings, even if your cost of energy changes. For example, a 50% guaranteed savings might refer to a cost of $0.03 per kWh for community solar generation, when you receive $0.06 per kWh of credits on your bill. If the bill credits increase to $0.08 per kWh, your community solar fee increases to $0.04 per kWh. If the bill credit rate decreases, then the community solar subscription rate you have decreases. This subscription option agreement must have no upfront costs and meet minimum savings requirements.
As another example, if the subscription fee is 50% of the bill credits, and the customer receives $50 of community solar bill credits in a billing period, their community solar subscription fee would be $25.
Panel Lease: Subscribers lease panels, and the energy produced from them is credited to their electricity bill. Your bill credits will change seasonally as system production changes. The lease agreement must have no upfront costs and meet minimum savings requirements over the course of a year.
It depends. Your Approved Vendor can provide a more accurate timeline.
Your community solar project is operated within your utility’s coverage area. The exact location of the facility will be provided to you before you enroll in the project.
ILSFA has stringent requirements for Approved Vendors to ensure a transparent, safe, and positive experience for every participant.
Approved Vendors must present standard disclosure forms before a contract is signed. These disclosure forms provide important information on exactly how much you will pay and estimates of how much you will save. You can even use the disclosure forms to compare offers from different Approved Vendors. The program guarantees savings and has a 3-day cancellation period from the initial contract. In addition, you can cancel subscriptions at any time with a 30-day notice.
You can typically keep your subscription when you move within the same utility territory (e.g., from one home with an Ameren bill to another). The terms of the contract will generally remain the same, although the size of the subscription may change if your household’s electricity usage is expected to change.
If you are moving outside of the utility territory, you can cancel or transfer your subscription to another household. Subscribers should review the terms of the standard disclosure form to understand the conditions under which the transfer may be permitted and the terms and costs associated with moving.
Residents who do not qualify for ILSFA may be able to subscribe to a Community Solar project through Illinois Shines, another state solar program.