ILActive

Community Solar in Illinois - 2026 Programs & Savings Guide

Illinois offers community solar through Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program). Subscribers save 5-15% on their electricity bills with no installation required. Renters are eligible.

Active Subscribers

50,000

1% of households

Subscribed Capacity

400 MW

Typical Savings

5-15%

~$15/mo avg

Available to Renters

Yes

Income-qualified tier available

Program Name

Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program)

Serving Utilities

ComEd, Ameren Illinois

Contract Length

Up to 20 years

Community Solar Programs in Illinois

Illinois Shines — Adjustable Block Program (ABP) Community Solar

Administrator: Illinois Power Agency (IPA)

Adjustable Block / REC-Based Community Solar

Illinois Shines is the state's renewable energy incentive program that includes a robust community solar component. Subscribers sign up with approved community solar developers and receive Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) that translate into monthly bill credits. Projects must be 2 MW or smaller and located in the utility territory where subscribers are located. The program has expanded significantly under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) passed in 2021.

Savings Range: 5–15% off your electricity bill
Contract Length: Up to 20 years; cancellation terms vary by developer
Subscription Size: Up to 40 kW for residential; up to 2,000 kW for commercial
Eligibility: ComEd or Ameren Illinois customers with an active electric service account
Available to Renters: Yes
Income-Qualified Savings: Equity Eligible Customers receive enhanced incentives and up to 25% savings

Illinois Shines — Equity Eligible Subscriber Organization

Administrator: Illinois Power Agency (IPA)

Income-Qualified Community Solar

A dedicated tier under Illinois Shines for income-qualified subscribers, created under CEJA. Projects serving low-income communities receive a higher block price, enabling developers to offer larger discounts — often 15–25% off retail rates — to qualifying subscribers in environmental justice communities.

Savings Range: 15–25% off your electricity bill
Contract Length: Up to 20 years
Subscription Size: Based on household usage
Eligibility: Households at or below 80% of Area Median Income, or located in a designated environmental justice community
Available to Renters: Yes
Income-Qualified Savings: 15–25% savings

How Community Solar Works in Illinois

Find an Illinois Shines approved community solar project through the IPA's approved vendor list or a community solar marketplace.

Subscribe to a share — no installation, no credit check, and no upfront cost for most residential programs.

The solar farm generates electricity and the project operator retires RECs on your behalf.

Your utility applies monthly bill credits reflecting your share of the project's solar output.

You pay the community solar provider a discounted rate, keeping the difference as savings on your ComEd or Ameren bill.

Is Community Solar Worth It in Illinois?

✓

Strong Savings

This state has one of the strongest community solar programs in the country, with above-average savings, strong consumer protections, and broad eligibility including renters.

Typical Savings

5-15%

Upfront Cost

Renters Eligible

Yes

Participating Utilities in Illinois

ComEdAmeren Illinois

Ready to Subscribe?

Visit the official Illinois community solar program to find available projects and sign up.

Find Projects in IL →

Community Solar FAQs - Illinois

No. Renters are eligible for Illinois Shines community solar as long as they have an active ComEd or Ameren Illinois electric account. You do not need to own your property or make any changes to your home.

Standard Illinois Shines subscribers typically save 5–15% on the electricity covered by their subscription. Income-qualified households and those in environmental justice communities may qualify for the Equity Eligible tier, with savings of 15–25%.

CEJA, signed in 2021, dramatically expanded the Illinois Shines program by adding new capacity blocks, creating the Equity Eligible Subscriber tier with higher incentives for low-income communities, and setting a goal of 40% of program capacity reserved for equity-eligible projects.

Cancellation terms vary by project developer. Many residential contracts allow exit with 30–90 days notice. Review your specific contract carefully before signing and ask about any early termination fees.

Once your subscription is activated and the solar project is operational, you should see bill credits appear within one to two billing cycles. Most subscribers see their first credit within 60 days of project commissioning.

More Solar Resources for Illinois

Illinois Solar Data

Installations, costs & panel brands

Illinois Solar Incentives

Tax credits, rebates & exemptions

Source: NREL Community Solar Policy, state public utility commissions, DSIRE, and utility program documentation. Data reflects programs available as of 2026. Program terms, capacity, and availability change frequently - verify current details with your utility or a licensed community solar provider.