Year-In-Review: ILSFA Continues to Grow!
Illinois Solar for All saw growth during its fourth program year, which ended on May 31, 2022. The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which passed last fall, allocated additional funding for solar projects that help Illinois residents save money while supporting small and emerging solar developers. The additional funding allowed waitlisted Community Solar and Non-Profit and Public Facilities projects to receive funding.
Community Solar
Six Low-Income Community Solar sub-program projects received ILSFA funding for the 2021-2022 program year, compared to three projects in the previous program year.
ILSFA community solar projects selected in previous program years are beginning to be completed and enroll income-eligible subscribers! Learn more about the selected community solar projects and review the community solar offers document to find projects actively accepting subscribers.
Non-Profit/Public Facilities
With the additional funding made available from CEJA, all projects previously placed on a waitlist and an additional 19 submitted during the rolling submission window were eligible for funding. In total, 46 Non-Profit/Public Facility projects received funding in Program Year 4, compared to 19 projects in the previous program year.
One of the projects selected is for the Rock River Valley Pantry in Rockford. This project will help the organization save money on its energy costs and increase energy efficiency so it can focus more resources on its mission to provide food to households in need in Rockford. Each year, this project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions approximately equal to an average passenger vehicle driving 192,892 miles, based on national average data.
Residential
The Program Administrator is excited to share that the residential (distributed generation) sub-program grew and expanded to more areas of Illinois!
In the recently completed program year, the Program Administrator funded 160 small residential projects, more than double the number of projects from the previous year (63). Residential projects were also submitted and approved in Ameren territory (Champaign and Normal) for the first time.
What to Expect in the Next Program Year
The Illinois Power Agency’s 2022 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan (“Plan”), which outlines how the IPA administers ILSFA and its other programs and procurement activities, includes updates to the requirements for Program Year 5. The plan is still under consideration by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
Once the ICC approves the final 2022 Plan, the Program Administrator will incorporate program changes into the ILSFA program processes and materials. Stakeholder feedback opportunities will be available for several new program aspects.
Program Year 5 will begin processing project submissions this fall after the plan is finalized and the program documents are updated and published. The full calendar will be announced later this summer, and we hope stakeholders will provide their perspectives to help shape how ILSFA grows.
Grassroots Educators: The Applications Are In!
Grassroots educators are trusted members of their communities who educate income-eligible Illinois residents about ILSFA. Thanks to all the organizations who applied to be grassroots educators during the 2022-2023 program year. The Program Administrator is reviewing applications and will announce selected organizations in August.
Another grassroots education funding opportunity is anticipated next spring. Non-profit organizations interested in bringing solar benefits to their communities can find those opportunities on the Grassroots Education page. The Additional Resources section has information on the request for proposals (RFP) process to provide an idea of what to expect when applying.
What People Are Saying About ILSFA!
Thanks to ILSFA, CityLink in Peoria is developing a solar installation on a regional transportation hub. Read more about this exciting project that is currently under construction.
A Northwest Herald story featured a new community solar farm project in Woodstock. This project will provide 70% of the energy it produces to income-eligible and middle-income households in McHenry County once completed in summer 2023.
The Crisis Nursery in Urbana used ILSFA funding for a solar project that helps the child care facility save money on energy bills. Watch this short video about the project, produced by Prairie Rivers Network, an ILSFA grassroots educator.
Prairie Rivers Network also created a video testimonial from an ILSFA homeowner in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood. Marie Cunningham explains how the Approved Vendor addressed her initial skepticism about the program and how she is excited about her electric bill savings.
Reverend Tony Pierce at Heaven’s View Christian Fellowship said ILSFA saves the church about $500 a month in electricity bills. Learn more about this story from a Peoria news station.
In These Times explores the increased interest in solar power in Southern Illinois and how ILSFA makes solar more affordable for income-eligible residents, non-profits, and public facilities.
An Energy News Network story features Pastor Wade Halva of First Presbyterian Church, which is in the process of getting solar panels installed through ILSFA, advocating for the positive effects the solar economy will bring to Southern Illinois.
Featured photo courtesy of Sunrun