Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program) · Illinois Power Agency · Illinois Shines
One of the country's deepest community solar markets - annual block capacity, 25-year REC contracts, and a dedicated Illinois Solar for All track for LMI customers.
Project cap
Up to 5 MW AC
Typical savings
20% guaranteed bill credit (Solar for All)
LMI requirement
Dedicated LMI carve-out via ILSFA
Utilities
ComEd · Ameren · MidAmerican
Program overview
Illinois runs one of the most competitive and durable community solar programs in the country. The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) administers the Adjustable Block Program ('Illinois Shines') and Illinois Solar for All ('ILSFA'), procuring 25-year Renewable Energy Credit (REC) contracts at prices reset annually. Each Program Year, capacity is allocated across Traditional, Community Driven Community Solar (CDCS), and equity-eligible categories - and demand consistently exceeds supply.
The laws & rules
Authorizes the IPA to procure RECs from community solar projects under the Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan, refreshed every two years. The 2024 Long-Term Plan governs PY 2025–26.
Community solar projects are capped at 5 MW AC. CDCS projects must demonstrate community participation, ownership, or benefit and compete in a 90-day scoring window.
Subscribers must be in the same utility service territory as the project. Minimum 50% of nameplate must be allocated to small subscribers (under 25 kW). Consumer protection rules cap fees, mandate disclosure forms, and prohibit ETFs in many cases.
A separate, fully-funded LMI track delivers a guaranteed 20% bill discount with no subscriber risk. Projects must serve income-eligible households, non-profits, or environmental-justice communities.
Utilities we deliver in
ComEd · Ameren Illinois · MidAmerican Energy
What Cannon does in Illinois
Site origination, ALTA + interconnection studies, AHJ engagement for special-use permits, and CDCS scoring strategy. We've tracked block capacity and queue dynamics every program year.
Full-stack EPC for ground-mount, agrivoltaic, and rooftop community solar across ComEd and Ameren territory. Domestic-content procurement for the 10% IRA ITC adder.
Long-term operations, vegetation management, inverter swaps, and IE-grade reporting on assets we built and assets we acquired - managed on the same CANOS platform we use across our 22-state service footprint.
Acquisition campaigns, ILSFA-compliant LMI funnels, on-bill credit allocation, and US-based subscriber support - built for the Illinois consumer protection regime.
Why we win Illinois
Block-capacity and CDCS scoring expertise - we know what it takes to win the 90-day window
Illinois Solar for All compliance handled in-house, not subcontracted
One contract, one accountable team from REC application through year-25 O&M