At the beginning of April, the Illinois Commerce Commission approved the Illinois Power Agency’s Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan with modifications to encourage more development in solar and wind power. According to the Solar Industry Magazine, the plan was created to help bolster the Future Energy Jobs Act signed into law in 2016.

The plan signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner creates a path for the state to get 25 percent of its power from renewable resources by 2025.

“The changes adopted by the commission ensure that all Illinoisans and all regions of the state will benefit from the development of renewable energy resources and the strengthening our clean energy economy,” Anastasia Palivos, the ICC’s acting commissioner, said in a statement. 

Solar panels on the house roof in Chicago

Solar Power Will Be Made Available to Low-Income Communities

The Illinois Solar for All program helps to provide access to solar energy for low-income communities and areas that meet designation for environmental injustice communities. According to the Environmental Defence Fund, the program addresses the biggest problems that communities face in order to participate in solar energy programs by providing access to solar without upfront costs and creating “a cash-positive experience.” 

Illinois Solar for All has three subprograms, which includes the low-income distributed generation funding for solar projects on individuals and multi-family buildings.

The program is being funded by the Renewable Energy Resources Fund established by the Illinois Power Agency Act in 2007 and two pots of funds from statewide renewable resources budgets.

The Plan Includes the Creation of a Community Solar Program

The group highlights the need and creation of a community solar program, which would allow homeowners and business owners to get solar energy without having solar panels on their property. MeLena Hessel, policy advocate at the Environmental Law & Policy Center, told Solar Industry Magazine that the plan will help to power 825,000 homes with solar energy in Illinois by 2030.

According to the Citizens Utility Board, the community solar program will help homeowners who can’t afford solar panels, don’t have space, don’t get enough sun, or live in an area limited by local zoning codes. Illinois homeowners can benefit from lower electric bills, increased reliability, and reduced peak demand because there is more electricity added to the grid. 

Homeowners Can Get Incentives and Tax Breaks

The Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems means that property owners who add a solar system to their home will not be negatively impacted by the increased value of their home. According to Energy Sage, under the assessment program, a home will be taxed as if the panels were not there. At the same time, the federal Investment Tax Credit gives Illinois homeowners the ability to reduce the cost of a solar energy system by 30 percent. However, the caveat is that homeowners need to purchase the system with cash or a solar loan. Homeowners will also need to make enough income to qualify for the tax credit. 

Homeowners who add solar panels to their homes may be able to sell excess electricity off their system through Illinois’ net metering policy.