Unveiling Our New Website: Fresh News & Program Enhancements
A Fresh Look, A Better Experience: Our New Website is Live
Illinois Solar for All has launched a new website, making it easier for residents, organizations, and interested solar companies to learn about the program’s benefits. The website features two distinct hubs, one for participants and another for interested solar companies, creating a tailored user experience for every visitor. In the coming weeks, the website will continue to feature new improvements and resources for participants and solar companies alike, so stay tuned!
Meet Our New Grassroots Education Cohort
Grassroots Educators are deeply involved and trusted members of their communities. Grassroots Educators work to educate and engage community members about the benefits of solar energy and the Illinois Solar for All program. Congratulations to the following organizations as they work to spread the benefits of solar energy across the state during the 2024-2025 program year:
- A Just Harvest
- Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI)
- Citizens Utility Board (CUB)
- El Valor
- Faith in Place
- Far South Community Development Corporation
- Garfield Park Community Council (GPCC)
- Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO)
- Party Per Purpose
- Plant Chicago
Illinois Solar for All Unveils Improved Initiatives to Enhance Solar Access and Home Improvements
Illinois Solar for All is re-launching the Bright Neighborhoods and Home Repairs and Upgrades initiatives in September. The design of both initiatives has been updated to reflect feedback from the community and to support residents.
Bright Neighborhoods continues its mission to reduce barriers and streamline the residential solar installation process. To reach more residents, the initiative is expanding its Chicago community area to include Humboldt Park, Austin, East Garfield Park, and North and South Lawndale while continuing to serve the West Garfield Park neighborhood, Waukegan, and the Carbondale-Marion micropolitan areas. By fostering solar energy adoption, this initiative is making a difference where it’s needed most.
Home Repairs and Upgrades helps households across Illinois by providing crucial roof and electrical repairs and achieving solar readiness paving the way for solar project installations through the Illinois Solar for All: Residential Solar sub-program.
Illinois Solar for All in the News
Illinois was awarded the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All $156 million grant, which will support the development of solar projects for communities across the state while achieving three main goals: reducing climate pollution, uplifting disadvantaged communities, and spurring continual deployment of affordable solar energy.
A portion of the funds, which will be distributed by the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA), will help the IPA to expand access to Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All programs. IPA is working with the IFA to distribute the funding to support equity and access to solar energy for Illinoisans.
In Chicago Heights, the Olympic Village affordable housing community is an example of how Illinois Solar for All: Community Solar benefits disadvantaged communities in the state’s ongoing renewable energy goals. Olympic Village’s community solar project produces enough electricity to offset 200 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually—the equivalent of a car driving 513,000 miles. Not only will the electricity power 320 household units, but it’ll also save the community money by lowering electricity bills.
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