Since 2018, the Illinois Shines solar incentive has been compensating homeowners for the electricity that their solar systems produce, reducing the cost of solar by up to 40%. However, the current block of funding for Illinois Shines is nearing its limit, and if you delay, you could miss out on the higher incentive available right now.
How the Illinois solar incentive works
Under the Illinois Shines program, every megawatt-hour of electricity your solar system generates over its first 15 years produces a Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC). Illinois utilities buys these SRECs in an upfront, one-time payment based on your system’s expected production—dramatically reducing your solar costs.
The program, formerly called the Adjustable Block Program, operates in "block" cycles, adjusting SREC prices as each block's capacity is reached. The amount of funding available depends on demand and market factors, meaning that when a block is full, new applicants have to wait until the next block opens, potentially at a lower rate.
When will the current Illinois incentive block run out?
Program years generally run from June 1 to May 31. This year’s block, which runs through May 31, 2025, is expected to be fully subscribed by December or January. This means that waiting too long could cost you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars. After this block is full, new applicants will be waitlisted until funding is available again on June 1, 2025. The funding for this new block could be lower, depending on how demand was in the current cycle. You can see the current block capacity on the Illinois Shines Block Capacity Dashboard.
What happens when the block runs out?
Any incentives applied for between when the funding runs out will be waitlisted until the new block opens on June 1. Projects waitlisted between January and June 2025 will likely face processing delays once the new block is open, which could mean an extended waiting period before you receive your incentive.
What will the new incentive price be?
We won't know the new incentive price until sometime in the spring. Since the price is in part based on demand, and the current cycle will likely end with 5 months remaining in the cycle, the rate could decrease to decrease demand. The rate will not change by more than 20%.
Go solar now to lock in today’s incentive block prices
Certasun will guarantee your solar incentive at the current rate if you sign before the block is depleted. Our team is here to help you navigate the Illinois Shines program and lock in your incentive now. Learn more about Illinois Shines.
