What Illinois Shines pays for
Every megawatt-hour your panels produce creates one renewable energy credit (REC). Illinois utilities must buy RECs to meet the state's clean energy goals, and the Illinois Power Agency buys them through Illinois Shines, also called the Adjustable Block Program.
For a home system, the program contracts for many years of expected RECs up front. Payments are front-loaded, so most of the value arrives soon after your system is connected.
Who receives the money
Only IPA-approved vendors can submit projects, so the REC contract is between your installer and the program. Installers handle it in one of two ways:
- Price reduction: the installer keeps the REC payment and lowers your quote by roughly that amount. This is the most common approach.
- Pass-through: the installer passes some or all of the payment to you after your system is energized.
Either way, your contract must disclose how the incentive is handled. Illinois Shines also requires installers to give you a standard disclosure form, so you can compare offers fairly.
What changed for 2026
The 2026–2027 program year opened in June 2026. With the federal homeowner tax credit gone, the IPA added an extra payment of about $20 per REC for small, customer-owned systems that don't claim the federal credit, starting June 1, 2026. Prices also differ between ComEd and Ameren territory and change as capacity blocks fill, so get current quotes rather than relying on last year's numbers.
Consumer protections worth knowing
- Approved vendors must follow Illinois Shines marketing and consumer protection rules.
- You must receive the program's standard disclosure form before you sign.
- Complaints can be filed directly with the program administrator.
Sources
This guide is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Incentive programs change, so confirm current terms with your installer, your utility and a tax professional.