New Solar Projects and Program Updates

Learn About ILSFA’s Latest Solar Projects

Twenty-one Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) projects have been approved to date during our third program year. Three community solar projects were approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission on December 16, 2020. These projects join the 18 onsite solar projects for non-profits and public facilities that were approved earlier this fall and serve organizations statewide from Effingham to Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. Learn more about approved projects and their economic and environmental benefits with our Project Summaries document.

We’re still accepting applications for residential projects, and we encourage interested income-eligible residents to compare the offers available and reach out to an Approved Vendor to get started.

Spreading Solar Knowledge Safely

Grassroots education is a key component of ILSFA. The ten community-based organizations currently conducting education campaigns have been adapting their usual methods to perform safe and effective outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Help us spread the word about a webinar on January 21, 2021, which North River Commission (NRC) will hold in English and Spanish. NRC has been working one-on-one with affordable housing providers, partnering with nearby community-based and civic organizations, and placing content in local newsletters and social media to continue reaching eligible households at a time when ILSFA’s cost savings are needed most.

Additional Updates

Changes to Residential Sub-Program

We recently held a workshop with stakeholders to discuss proposed changes to increase participation in the Low-Income Distributed Generation, or residential, sub-program. We’re issuing a revised proposal that outlines a referral process for customers and vendors and are requesting stakeholder comments

Updated Program Guidelines

We’re in the process of updating our Approved Vendor Manual and Project Selection Protocol. Requests for stakeholder comments and notices of new documents will be published on the ILSFA website and emailed to stakeholders in January 2021.

Happy Holidays from the ILSFA Team

Finally, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season! The pandemic has made this year especially challenging for many, and we hope the holidays can offer a reprieve. Our COVID-19-Related Marketing Guidelines remain in place to protect the health of ILSFA workers and participants, and we urge Illinoisans statewide to follow government and public health restrictions and recommendations.

And since many of us are spending more time at home than usual, we recommend the following weatherization and energy efficiency measures to lower your energy usage and costs:

1. Cover your windows with plastic wrap, and open your blinds on sunny days to help heat your home.
2. Seal any gaps under your door or other openings with caulk or weather strips.
3. Replace your furnace filter monthly to improve air flow, and close the vents in any rooms you don’t use.

Featured photo courtesy of Certasun LLC