In addition to technical system requirements, Approved Vendors are required to work within prescribed guidelines that govern their interaction with the marketplace and program participants. These requirements ensure consumers are protected against unsafe and unfair business practices and are designed to minimize risk to participants. These guidelines require that the information shared with participants is clear and accurate to ensure a transparent and positive experience for participants.
While the Illinois Shines Program provides guidelines for many consumer protections, the Illinois Solar for All program prescribes a number of additional protections, including standard disclosures, financial protections, cost and savings requirements, and marketing requirements.
Important resources
- Consumer Protection Database
- Consumer Complaints and Disciplinary Annual Report 2023
- Consumer Complaints and Disciplinary Annual Report 2022
- Consumer Protection Handbook
Standard disclosures
Approved Vendors must complete standard disclosure forms and provide these to participants before contract execution. Standard disclosures include system equipment and components, warranty, financial terms, total costs and fees, projected energy production and savings, and other important information. The Illinois Solar for All program requires that ILSFA participants have a 14-day window to cancel an installation contract without penalty.
View Disclosure Form Resources for a section-by-section guide to support your understanding of your solar offer.
Costs and savings
Approved Vendors are required to offer participants access to solar projects with no upfront cost, and any ongoing costs and fees are not to exceed 50% of the value of energy generated by the system, regardless of whether the system is owned, leased, or financed through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
Financial requirements
Financing amounts, terms, and conditions must be based on an assessment of the participant’s ability to repay the debt, as defined by federal requirements. Any loans must not be secured by the participant’s home or home equity. Contracts must include a forbearance option and cannot include penalties for pre-payment.
Marketing requirements
All Approved Vendors must adhere to comprehensive guidelines that govern the information used in marketing materials and the behavior of vendors in their interactions with participants. Marketing requirements include the use of standardized brochures that must be presented to all participants.
- English Brochure for Residential Solar
- Spanish Brochure for Residential Solar
- English Brochure for Community Solar
- Spanish Brochure for Community Solar
- English Brochure for Non-Profit and Public Facilities
- Spanish Brochure for Non-Profit and Public Facilities
Quality workmanship
Approved Vendors are fully vetted and must adhere to technical system requirements to ensure efficient system performance, as well as adhere to all local ordinances governing building codes, permitting, and zoning. In addition, there are requirements that Approved Vendors meet minimum site suitability guidelines and must allow all installations to undergo photo and onsite inspections by Program Administrator technicians.