Illinois Solar for All

Approved Vendors

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Role of Approved Vendors

Approved Vendors are a critical component of the Illinois Solar for All program, which aims to expand the solar market in income-eligible and environmental justice communities. Approved Vendors are responsible for all aspects of solar installation for Illinois Solar for All projects. They ensure all program requirements are met, including income verification, job training requirements, minimum customer savings, community engagement, and consumer protections.

Additionally, Approved Vendors will receive support and resources for the duration of their participation, including assistance in identifying qualified job trainees.  For details on the role of Approved Vendors, refer to the Illinois Solar for All Approved Vendor Manual.

Approved Vendor Types

There are four types of Approved Vendors that can develop projects for Illinois Solar for All: 1) Approved Vendors, 2) Aggregator Approved Vendors, 3) Aggregator Designees, and 4) Single Project Approved Vendors. All types except Aggregator Designees must register and maintain their status as Approved Vendors in Illinois Shines. Approved Vendors and Single Project Approved Vendors have similar roles and responsibilities as they do in Illinois Shines. Illinois Solar for All creates “Aggregator Approved Vendors” and “Aggregator Designees” – two new Approved Vendor types that will work collaboratively to develop ILSFA projects. The categories are described below in further detail.

Approved Vendors will be the entity that is the contractual counterparty with either the Illinois Power Agency or an Illinois electric utility for RECs purchased through the Illinois Solar for All Program, and thus will be the entity that receives payments from the IPA or utility for REC deliveries as contract obligations are met. Approved Vendors are the entities responsible for submitting documentation to the Program Administrator (as the responsible party for the information contained in that documentation), maintaining collateral requirements, and providing ongoing information and reporting. As such, Approved Vendors will have to coordinate the downstream information from installers/developers, as well as individual system owners who may provide required information through the installer/developer.

The Program Administrator recognizes that the role Aggregators play in the market is an important one, especially for small or new solar installation companies. These Aggregators can help to provide important services to qualified entities that may otherwise face barriers in the market. Renewable Energy Credit Aggregators will work within the Illinois Solar for All program, managing renewable energy credits on behalf of system owners. Aggregators function as a counterparty to contracts with REC purchasers, allowing system owners the opportunity to generate revenue from the sale of their RECs.

Designees or system owners will contract directly with Aggregators, working within the Aggregator’s business and fee structure as a separate contractual arrangement from this program. The Aggregator must first be registered with Illinois Shines and meet all Illinois Solar for All program requirements, with the Aggregator acting as Approved Vendor, accountable for meeting program requirements for projects developed by the Designee.

It is anticipated that the Aggregator Designee will act in most respects exactly as an Approved Vendor, except for allowing Aggregators to manage and serve as counterparty to their long-term REC contracts. However, Aggregators may find a market advantage in providing collective services for their Designees, like leveraging installation services, compliance with job training requirements, or procurement. Project applications can be completed by the Designee or the Approved Vendor Aggregator. While Approved Vendor Aggregators are ultimately responsible for meeting all program requirements, Designees will be required to meet all project level requirements, including quality assurance and inspection requirements. Failure to meet these requirements or poor-quality performance may result in remedial action or warning and suspension status for both the Aggregator and Designee.

Aggregator Designees are not required to register for Illinois Shines. However, Designees are required to register for Illinois Solar for All in the same way as an Approved Vendor. Designees must be designated by at least one Approved Vendor Aggregators before registration. Aggregators must approve final Designee registration submissions prior to Program Administrator approval.

Entities can choose to register as an Illinois Solar for All Single Project Approved Vendor according to the limitations and requirements set forth in the Plan. Single Project Approved Vendors within the Illinois Solar for All program must meet the following requirements:

  • The Single Project Approved Vendor will be the registered owner of the system
  • Total capacity of the system will be at least 50 kW
  • Single Project Approved Vendors can only submit one project to either Illinois Solar for All or Illinois Shines

The following Illinois Solar for All requirements are not applicable to Single Project Approved Vendor applications:

  • Standard contracts between the Approved Vendor and program participant/system host
  • Standard disclosures
  • The use of Illinois Solar for All standard brochures

Note that for community solar projects, all consumer protection requirements for Illinois Solar for All still apply for projects submitted by Single Project Approved Vendors. Also, all Single Project Approved Vendor projects must meet the job training requirement that 10% of all installation hours be performed by qualified trainees. View this manual for more details on job training requirements.

Approved Vendors may also use subcontractors such as installers and sales organizations. This is common in the solar industry to have multiple businesses play a role in the development of solar projects. Subcontractor registration forms can be found here. View this list of subcontractors that have completed a registration form and acknowledged they will comply with all program requirements.

Requirements of being an approved vendor

  • Illinois Shines Program Registration

    All applicants, with the exception of the Approved Vendor Designee, must first qualify as Approved Vendors under Illinois Shines’ vendor registration process before applying to be an Illinois Solar for All Approved Vendor.

  • Community Engagement

    Approved Vendors must present a community engagement plan during the registration process. Additional community engagement steps will be required during project development, particularly for community solar projects.

  • Job Training

    Approved Vendors must demonstrate that a minimum number of hours performed during the installation process are completed by qualified job trainees. The registration process requires candidates to submit a plan for achieving these requirements over the first three years of the program. For more information on Illinois Solar for All job training requirements, visit the job training page or download the Illinois Solar for All Approved Vendor Manual.

  • Savings Requirements

    Illinois Solar for All requires that all eligible solar projects are offered to participants with no upfront costs and any ongoing costs and fees do not exceed 50% of the value of energy generated by the system in the first year, regardless of whether the system is owned, leased, or financed through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

  • Consumer Protections

    Illinois Solar for All protects consumers by ensuring projects have  no upfront costs and that any ongoing costs and fees do not exceed 50% of the value of energy generated by the system. Other protections include standard disclosures, no prepayment penalties, and the right for participants to cancel the contract with vendors. Additionally, comprehensive marketing guidelines are established for all Approved Vendors.

Approved Vendor Registration

Applicants must be registered with Illinois Shines to qualify for Illinois Solar for All, with the exception of the Approved Vendor Designee. Applicants will also need to submit additional information and detailed plans for meeting program requirements to the Program Administrator. Aggregator Designees must also have their submissions approved by the Approved Vendor Aggregator designating them.

The Project Application Process

Illinois Solar for All Approved Vendors will submit projects in batches, similar to Illinois Shines. Batches of projects should be submitted during the program year project submission window or the rolling submission window, if applicable. You can learn more about the annual project submission window dates and other related dates. The project application and review process takes about two months. A unique online portal login will be created for, and is only visible by, each Approved Vendor. This portal provides tools for project application and document submission. Once projects are approved by the Illinois Solar for All Program Administrator and the Illinois Commerce Commission, 15-year Renewable Energy Credit (REC) delivery contracts will be generated, with either an electric utility or the State of Illinois as counterparty.

Become an Approved Vendor

Please click below to complete the Illinois Solar for All Approved Vendor Registration Form.

Approved Vendor Registration Form