§ 1-56

(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 104-458 ) Sec. 1-56. Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund; Illinois Solar for All Program. (a) The Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. (b) The Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall be administered by the Agency as described in this subsection (b), provided that the changes to this subsection (b) made by Public Act 99-906 shall not interfere with existing contracts under this Section. (1) The Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall be used to purchase renewable energy credits according to any approved procurement plan developed by the Agency prior to June 1, 2017. (2) The Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall also be used to create the Illinois Solar for All Program, which provides incentives for low-income distributed generation and community solar projects, and other associated approved expenditures. The objectives of the Illinois Solar for All Program are to bring photovoltaics to low-income communities in this State in a manner that maximizes the development of new photovoltaic generating facilities, to create a long-term, low-income solar marketplace throughout this State, to integrate, through interaction with stakeholders, with existing energy efficiency initiatives, and to minimize administrative costs. The Illinois Solar for All Program shall be implemented in a manner that seeks to minimize administrative costs, and maximize efficiencies and synergies available through coordination with similar initiatives, including the Adjustable Block program described in subparagraphs (K) through (M) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75, energy efficiency programs, job training programs, and community action agencies. The Agency shall strive to ensure that renewable energy credits procured through the Illinois Solar for All Program and each of its subprograms are purchased from projects across the breadth of low-income and environmental justice communities in Illinois, including both urban and rural communities, are not concentrated in a few communities, and do not exclude particular low-income or environmental justice communities. The Agency shall include a description of its proposed approach to the design, administration, implementation and evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All Program, as part of the long-term renewable resources procurement plan authorized by subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act, and the program shall be designed to grow the low-income solar market. The Agency or utility, as applicable, shall purchase renewable energy credits from the (i) photovoltaic distributed renewable energy generation projects and (ii) community solar projects that are procured under procurement processes authorized by the long-term renewable resources procurement plans approved by the Commission. The Illinois Solar for All Program shall include the program offerings described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of this paragraph (2), which the Agency shall implement through contracts with third-party providers and, subject to appropriation, pay the approximate amounts identified using monies available in the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund. Each contract that provides for the installation of solar facilities shall provide that the solar facilities will produce energy and economic benefits, at a level determined by the Agency to be reasonable, for the participating low-income customers. The monies available in the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund and not otherwise committed to contracts executed under subsection (i) of this Section, as well as, in the case of the programs described under subparagraphs (A) through (E) of this paragraph (2), funding authorized pursuant to subparagraph (O) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act, shall initially be allocated among the programs described in this paragraph (2), as follows: 35% of these funds shall be allocated to programs described in subparagraphs (A) and (E) of this paragraph (2), 40% of these funds shall be allocated to programs described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph (2), and 25% of these funds shall be allocated to programs described in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph (2). The allocation of funds among subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (E) of this paragraph (2) may be changed if the Agency, after receiving input through a stakeholder process, determines incentives in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), or (E) of this paragraph (2) have not been adequately subscribed to fully utilize available Illinois Solar for All Program funds. Contracts that will be paid with funds in the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall be executed by the Agency. Contracts that will be paid with funds collected by an electric utility shall be executed by the electric utility. Contracts under the Illinois Solar for All Program shall include an approach, as set forth in the long-term renewable resources procurement plans, to ensure the wholesale market value of the energy is credited to participating low-income customers or organizations and to ensure tangible economic benefits flow directly to program participants, except in the case of low-income multi-family housing where the low-income customer does not directly pay for energy. Priority shall be given to projects that demonstrate meaningful involvement of low-income community members in designing the initial proposals. Acceptable proposals to implement projects must demonstrate the applicant's ability to conduct initial community outreach, education, and recruitment of low-income participants in the community. Projects must include job training opportunities if available, with the specific level of trainee usage to be determined through the Agency's long-term renewable resources procurement plan, and the Illinois Solar for All Program Administrator shall coordinate with the job training programs described in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 16-108.12 of the Public Utilities Act and in the Energy Transition Act. The Agency shall make every effort to ensure that small and emerging businesses, particularly those located in low-income and environmental justice communities, are able to participate in the Illinois Solar for All Program. These efforts may include, but shall not be limited to, proactive support from the program administrator, different or preferred access to subprograms and administrator-identified customers or grassroots education provider-identified customers, and different incentive levels. The Agency shall report on progress and barriers to participation of small and emerging businesses in the Illinois Solar for All Program at least once a year. The report shall be made available on the Agency's website and, in years when the Agency is updating its long-term renewable resources procurement plan, included in that Plan. (A) Low-income single-family and small multifamily solar incentive. This program will provide incentives to low-income customers, either directly or through solar providers, to increase the participation of low-income households in photovoltaic on-site distributed generation at residential buildings containing one to 4 units. Companies participating in this program that install solar panels shall commit to hiring job trainees for a portion of their low-income installations, and an administrator shall facilitate partnering the companies that install solar panels with entities that provide solar panel installation job training. It is a goal of this program that a minimum of 25% of the incentives for this program be allocated to projects located within environmental justice communities. Contracts entered into under this paragraph may be entered into with an entity that will develop and administer the program and shall also include contracts for renewable energy credits from the photovoltaic distributed generation that is the subject of the program, as set forth in the long-term renewable resources procurement plan. Additionally: (i) The Agency shall reserve a portion of this program for projects that promote energy sovereignty through ownership of projects by low-income households, not-for-profit organizations providing services to low-income households, affordable housing owners, community cooperatives, or community-based limited liability companies providing services to low-income households. Projects that feature energy ownership should ensure that local people have control of the project and reap benefits from the project over and above energy bill savings. The Agency may consider the inclusion of projects that promote ownership over time or that involve partial project ownership by communities, as promoting energy sovereignty. Incentives for projects that promote energy sovereignty may be higher than incentives for equivalent projects that do not promote energy sovereignty under this same program. (ii) Through its long-term renewable resources procurement plan, the Agency shall consider additional program and contract requirements to ensure faithful compliance by applicants benefiting from preferences for projects designated to promote energy sovereignty. The Agency shall make every effort to enable solar providers already participating in the Adjustable Block Program under subparagraph (K) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act, and particularly solar providers developing projects under item (i) of subparagraph (K) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act to easily participate in the Low-Income Distributed Generation Incentive program described under this subparagraph (A), and vice versa. This effort may include, but shall not be limited to, utilizing similar or the same application systems and processes, similar or the same forms and formats of communication, and providing active outreach to companies participating in one program but not the other. The Agency shall report on efforts made to encourage this cross-participation in its long-term renewable resources procurement plan. (B) Low-Income Community Solar Project Initiative. Incentives shall be offered to low-income customers, either directly or through developers, to increase the participation of low-income subscribers of community solar projects. The developer of each project shall identify its partnership with community stakeholders regarding the location, development, and participation in the project, provided that nothing shall preclude a project from including an anchor tenant that does not qualify as low-income. Companies participating in this program that develop or install solar projects shall commit to hiring job trainees for a portion of their low-income installations, and an administrator shall facilitate partnering the companies that install solar projects with entities that provide solar installation and related job training. It is a goal of this program that a minimum of 25% of the incentives for this program be allocated to community photovoltaic projects in environmental justice communities. The Agency shall reserve a portion of this program for projects that promote energy sovereignty through ownership of projects by low-income households, not-for-profit organizations providing services to low-income households, affordable housing owners, or community-based limited liability companies providing services to low-income households. Projects that feature energy ownership should ensure that local people have control of the project and reap benefits from the project over and above energy bill savings. The Agency may consider the inclusion of projects that promote ownership over time or that involve partial project ownership by communities, as promoting energy sovereignty. Incentives for projects that promote energy sovereignty may be higher than incentives for equivalent projects that do not promote energy sovereignty under this same program. Contracts entered into under this paragraph may be entered into with developers and shall also include contracts for renewable energy credits related to the program. (C) Incentives for non-profits and public facilities. Under this program funds shall be used to support on-site photovoltaic distributed renewable energy generation devices to serve the load associated with not-for-profit customers and to support photovoltaic distributed renewable energy generation that uses photovoltaic technology to serve the load associated with public sector customers taking service at public buildings. Companies participating in this program that develop or install solar projects shall commit to hiring job trainees for a portion of their low-income installations, and an administrator shall facilitate partnering the companies that install solar projects with entities that provide solar installation and related job training. Through its long-term renewable resources procurement plan, the Agency shall consider additional program and contract requirements to ensure faithful compliance by applicants benefiting from preferences for projects designated to promote energy sovereignty. It is a goal of this program that at least 25% of the incentives for this program be allocated to projects located in environmental justice communities. Contracts entered into under this paragraph may be entered into with an entity that will develop and administer the program or with developers and shall also include contracts for renewable energy credits related to the program. (D) (Blank). (E) Low-income large multifamily solar incentive. This program shall provide incentives to low-income customers, either directly or through solar providers, to increase the participation of low-income households in photovoltaic on-site distributed generation at residential buildings with 5 or more units. Companies participating in this program that develop or install solar projects shall commit to hiring job trainees for a portion of their low-income installations, and an administrator shall facilitate partnering the companies that install solar projects with entities that provide solar installation and related job training. It is a goal of this program that a minimum of 25% of the incentives for this program be allocated to projects located within environmental justice communities. The Agency shall reserve a portion of this program for projects that promote energy sovereignty through ownership of projects by low-income households, not-for-profit organizations providing services to low-income households, affordable housing owners, or community-based limited liability companies providing services to low-income households. Projects that feature energy ownership should ensure that local people have control of the project and reap benefits from the project over and above energy bill savings. The Agency may consider the inclusion of projects that promote ownership over time or that involve partial project ownership by communities, as promoting energy sovereignty. Incentives for projects that promote energy sovereignty may be higher than incentives for equivalent projects that do not promote energy sovereignty under this same program. The requirement that a qualified person, as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (i) of this Section, install photovoltaic devices does not apply to the Illinois Solar for All Program described in this subsection (b). In addition to the programs outlined in paragraphs (A) through (E), the Agency and other parties may propose additional programs through the Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan developed and approved under paragraph (5) of subsection (b) of Section 16-111.5 of the Public Utilities Act. Additional programs may target market segments not specified above and may also include incentives targeted to increase the uptake of nonphotovoltaic technologies by low-income customers, including energy storage paired with photovoltaics, if the Commission determines that the Illinois Solar for All Program would provide greater benefits to the public health and well-being of low-income residents through also supporting that additional program versus supporting programs already authorized. (3) Costs associated with the Illinois Solar for All Program and its components described in paragraph (2) of this subsection (b), including, but not limited to, costs associated with procuring experts, consultants, and the program administrator referenced in this subsection (b) and related incremental costs, costs related to income verification and facilitating customer participation in the program, and costs related to the evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All Program, may be paid for using monies in the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund, and funds allocated pursuant to subparagraph (O) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75, but the Agency or program administrator shall strive to minimize costs in the implementation of the program. The Agency or contracting electric utility shall purchase renewable energy credits from generation that is the subject of a contract under subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (2) of this subsection (b), and may pay for such renewable energy credits through an upfront payment per installed kilowatt of nameplate capacity paid once the device is interconnected at the distribution system level of the interconnecting utility and verified as energized. Payments for renewable energy credits shall be in exchange for all renewable energy credits generated by the system during the first 15 years of operation and shall be structured to overcome barriers to participation in the solar market by the low-income community. The incentives provided for in this Section may be implemented through the pricing of renewable energy credits where the prices paid for the credits are higher than the prices from programs offered under subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act to account for the additional capital necessary to successfully access targeted market segments. The Agency or contracting electric utility shall retire any renewable energy credits purchased under this program and the credits shall count toward the obligation under subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act for the electric utility to which the project is interconnected, if applicable. The Agency shall direct that up to 5% of the funds available under the Illinois Solar for All Program to community-based groups and other qualifying organizations to assist in community-driven education efforts related to the Illinois Solar for All Program, including general energy education, job training program outreach efforts, and other activities deemed to be qualified by the Agency. Grassroots education funding shall not be used to support the marketing by solar project development firms and organizations, unless such education provides equal opportunities for all applicable firms and organizations. (4) The Agency shall, consistent with the requirements of this subsection (b), propose the Illinois Solar for All Program terms, conditions, and requirements, including the prices to be paid for renewable energy credits, and which prices may be determined through a formula, through the development, review, and approval of the Agency's long-term renewable resources procurement plan described in subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act and Section 16-111.5 of the Public Utilities Act. In the course of the Commission proceeding initiated to review and approve the plan, including the Illinois Solar for All Program proposed by the Agency, a party may propose an additional low-income solar or solar incentive program, or modifications to the programs proposed by the Agency, and the Commission may approve an additional program, or modifications to the Agency's proposed program, if the additional or modified program more effectively maximizes the benefits to low-income customers after taking into account all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the extent to which a competitive market for low-income solar has developed. Following the Commission's approval of the Illinois Solar for All Program, the Agency or a party may propose adjustments to the program terms, conditions, and requirements, including the price offered to new systems, to ensure the long-term viability and success of the program. The Commission shall review and approve any modifications to the program through the plan revision process described in Section 16-111.5 of the Public Utilities Act. (5) The Agency shall issue a request for qualifications for a third-party program administrator or administrators to administer all or a portion of the Illinois Solar for All Program. The third-party program administrator shall be chosen through a competitive bid process based on selection criteria and requirements developed by the Agency, including, but not limited to, experience in administering low-income energy programs and overseeing statewide clean energy or energy efficiency services. If the Agency retains a program administrator or administrators to implement all or a portion of the Illinois Solar for All Program, each administrator shall periodically submit reports to the Agency and Commission for each program that it administers, at appropriate intervals to be identified by the Agency in its long-term renewable resources procurement plan, provided that the reporting interval is at least quarterly. The third-party program administrator may be, but need not be, the same administrator as for the Adjustable Block program described in subparagraphs (K) through (M) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75. The Agency, through its long-term renewable resources procurement plan approval process, shall also determine if individual subprograms of the Illinois Solar for All Program are better served by a different or separate Program Administrator. The third-party administrator's responsibilities shall also include facilitating placement for graduates of Illinois-based renewable energy-specific job training programs, including the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program and the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and programs administered under Section 16-108.12 of the Public Utilities Act. To increase the uptake of trainees by participating firms, the administrator shall also develop a web-based clearinghouse for information available to both job training program graduates and firms participating, directly or indirectly, in Illinois solar incentive programs. The program administrator shall also coordinate its activities with entities implementing electric and natural gas income-qualified energy efficiency programs, including customer referrals to and from such programs, and connect prospective low-income solar customers with any existing deferred maintenance programs where applicable. (6) The long-term renewable resources procurement plan shall also provide for an independent evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All Program. At least every 2 years, the Agency shall select an independent evaluator to review and report on the Illinois Solar for All Program and the performance of the third-party program administrator of the Illinois Solar for All Program. The evaluation shall be based on objective criteria developed through a public stakeholder process. The process shall include feedback and participation from Illinois Solar for All Program stakeholders, including participants and organizations in environmental justice and historically underserved communities. The report shall include a summary of the evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All Program based on the stakeholder developed objective criteria. The report shall include the number of projects installed; the total installed capacity in kilowatts; the average cost per kilowatt of installed capacity to the extent reasonably obtainable by the Agency; the number of jobs or job opportunities created; economic, social, and environmental benefits created; and the total administrative costs expended by the Agency and program administrator to implement and evaluate the program. The report shall be delivered to the Commission and posted on the Agency's website, and shall be used, as needed, to revise the Illinois Solar for All Program. The Commission shall also consider the results of the evaluation as part of its review of the long-term renewable resources procurement plan under subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act. (7) If additional funding for the programs described in this subsection (b) is available under subsection (k) of Section 16-108 of the Public Utilities Act, then the Agency shall submit a procurement plan to the Commission no later than September 1, 2018, that proposes how the Agency will procure programs on behalf of the applicable utility. After notice and hearing, the Commission shall approve, or approve with modification, the plan no later than November 1, 2018. (8) As part of the development and update of the long-term renewable resources procurement plan authorized by subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act, the Agency shall plan for: (A) actions to refer customers from the Illinois Solar for All Program to electric and natural gas income-qualified energy efficiency programs, and vice versa, with the goal of increasing participation in both of these programs; (B) effective procedures for data sharing, as needed, to effectuate referrals between the Illinois Solar for All Program and both electric and natural gas income-qualified energy efficiency programs, including sharing customer information directly with the utilities, as needed and appropriate; and (C) efforts to identify any existing deferred maintenance programs for which prospective Solar for All Program customers may be eligible and connect prospective customers for whom deferred maintenance is or may be a barrier to solar installation to those programs. As used in this subsection (b), "low-income households" means persons and families whose income does not exceed 80% of area median income, adjusted for family size and revised every year. For the purposes of this subsection (b), the Agency shall define "environmental justice community" based on the methodologies and findings established by the Agency and the Administrator for the Illinois Solar for All Program in its initial long-term renewable resources procurement plan and as updated by the Agency and the Administrator for the Illinois Solar for All Program as part of the long-term renewable resources procurement plan update. (b-5) After the receipt of all payments required by Section 16-115D of the Public Utilities Act, no additional funds shall be deposited into the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund unless directed by order of the Commission. (b-10) After the receipt of all payments required by Section 16-115D of the Public Utilities Act and payment in full of all contracts executed by the Agency under subsections (b) and (i) of this Section, if the balance of the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund is under $5,000, then the Fund shall be inoperative and any remaining funds and any funds submitted to the Fund after that date, shall be transferred to the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund for use in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, as authorized by the Energy Assistance Act. (b-15) The prevailing wage requirements set forth in the Prevailing Wage Act apply to each project that is undertaken pursuant to one or more of the programs of incentives and initiatives described in subsection (b) of this Section and for which a project application is submitted to the program after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly, except (i) projects that serve single-family or multi-family residential buildings and (ii) projects with an aggregate capacity of less than 100 kilowatts that serve houses of worship. The Agency shall require verification that all construction performed on a project by the renewable energy credit delivery contract holder, its contractors, or its subcontractors relating to the construction of the facility is performed by workers receiving an amount for that work that is greater than or equal to the general prevailing rate of wages as that term is defined in the Prevailing Wage Act, and the Agency may adjust renewable energy credit prices to account for increased labor costs. In this subsection (b-15), "house of worship" has the meaning given in subparagraph (Q) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75. (c) (Blank). (d) (Blank). (e) All renewable energy credits procured using monies from the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall be permanently retired. (f) The selection of one or more third-party program managers or administrators, the selection of the independent evaluator, and the procurement processes described in this Section are exempt from the requirements of the Illinois Procurement Code, under Section 20-10 of that Code. (g) All disbursements from the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall be made only upon warrants of the Comptroller drawn upon the Treasurer as custodian of the Fund upon vouchers signed by the Director or by the person or persons designated by the Director for that purpose. The Comptroller is authorized to draw the warrant upon vouchers so signed. The Treasurer shall accept all warrants so signed and shall be released from liability for all payments made on those warrants. (h) The Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall not be subject to sweeps, administrative charges, or chargebacks, including, but not limited to, those authorized under Section 8h of the State Finance Act, that would in any way result in the transfer of any funds from this Fund to any other fund of this State or in having any such funds utilized for any purpose other than the express purposes set forth in this Section. (h-5) The Agency may assess fees to each bidder to recover the costs incurred in connection with a procurement process held under this Section. Fees collected from bidders shall be deposited into the Renewable Energy Resources Fund. (i) Supplemental procurement process. (1) Within 90 days after June 30, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act 98-672), the Agency shall develop a one-time supplemental procurement plan limited to the procurement of renewable energy credits, if available, from new or existing photovoltaics, including, but not limited to, distributed photovoltaic generation. Nothing in this subsection (i) requires procurement of wind generation through the supplemental procurement. Renewable energy credits procured from new photovoltaics, including, but not limited to, distributed photovoltaic generation, under this subsection (i) must be procured from devices installed by a qualified person. In its supplemental procurement plan, the Agency shall establish contractually enforceable mechanisms for ensuring that the installation of new photovoltaics is performed by a qualified person. For the purposes of this paragraph (1), "qualified person" means a person who performs installations of photovoltaics, including, but not limited to, distributed photovoltaic generation, and who: (A) has completed an apprenticeship as a journeyman electrician from a United States Department of Labor registered electrical apprenticeship and training program and received a certification of satisfactory completion; or (B) does not currently meet the criteria under clause (A) of this paragraph (1), but is enrolled in a United States Department of Labor registered electrical apprenticeship program, provided that the person is directly supervised by a person who meets the criteria under clause (A) of this paragraph (1); or (C) has obtained one of the following credentials in addition to attesting to satisfactory completion of at least 5 years or 8,000 hours of documented hands-on electrical experience: (i) a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Installer Certificate for Solar PV; (ii) an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) PV Systems Installer Certificate; (iii) an Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETAI) Level 3 PV Installer Certificate; or (iv) an Associate in Applied Science degree from an Illinois Community College Board approved community college program in renewable energy or a distributed generation technology. For the purposes of this paragraph (1), "directly supervised" means that there is a qualified person who meets the qualifications under clause (A) of this paragraph (1) and who is available for supervision and consultation regarding the work performed by persons under clause (B) of this paragraph (1), including a final inspection of the installation work that has been directly supervised to ensure safety and conformity with applicable codes. For the purposes of this paragraph (1), "install" means the major activities and actions required to connect, in accordance with applicable building and electrical codes, the conductors, connectors, and all associated fittings, devices, power outlets, or apparatuses mounted at the premises that are directly involved in delivering energy to the premises' electrical wiring from the photovoltaics, including, but not limited to, to distributed photovoltaic generation. The renewable energy credits procured pursuant to the supplemental procurement plan shall be procured using up to $30,000,000 from the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund. The Agency shall not plan to use funds from the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund in excess of the monies on deposit in such fund or projected to be deposited into such fund. The supplemental procurement plan shall ensure adequate, reliable, affordable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable renewable energy resources (including credits) at the lowest total cost over time, taking into account any benefits of price stability. To the extent available, 50% of the renewable energy credits procured from distributed renewable energy generation shall come from devices of less than 25 kilowatts in nameplate capacity. Procurement of renewable energy credits from distributed renewable energy generation devices shall be done through multi-year contracts of no less than 5 years. The Agency shall create credit requirements for counterparties. In order to minimize the administrative burden on contracting entities, the Agency shall solicit the use of third parties to aggregate distributed renewable energy. These third parties shall enter into and administer contracts with individual distributed renewable energy generation device owners. An individual distributed renewable energy generation device owner shall have the ability to measure the output of his or her distributed renewable energy generation device. In developing the supplemental procurement plan, the Agency shall hold at least one workshop open to the public within 90 days after June 30, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act 98-672) and shall consider any comments made by stakeholders or the public. Upon development of the supplemental procurement plan within this 90-day period, copies of the supplemental procurement plan shall be posted and made publicly available on the Agency's and Commission's websites. All interested parties shall have 14 days following the date of posting to provide comment to the Agency on the supplemental procurement plan. All comments submitted to the Agency shall be specific, supported by data or other detailed analyses, and, if objecting to all or a portion of the supplemental procurement plan, accompanied by specific alternative wording or proposals. All comments shall be posted on the Agency's and Commission's websites. Within 14 days following the end of the 14-day review period, the Agency shall revise the supplemental procurement plan as necessary based on the comments received and file its revised supplemental procurement plan with the Commission for approval. (2) Within 5 days after the filing of the supplemental procurement plan at the Commission, any person objecting to the supplemental procurement plan shall file an objection with the Commission. Within 10 days after the filing, the Commission shall determine whether a hearing is necessary. The Commission shall enter its order confirming or modifying the supplemental procurement plan within 90 days after the filing of the supplemental procurement plan by the Agency. (3) The Commission shall approve the supplemental procurement plan of renewable energy credits to be procured from new or existing photovoltaics, including, but not limited to, distributed photovoltaic generation, if the Commission determines that it will ensure adequate, reliable, affordable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable electric service in the form of renewable energy credits at the lowest total cost over time, taking into account any benefits of price stability. (4) The supplemental procurement process under this subsection (i) shall include each of the following components: (A) Procurement administrator. The Agency may retain a procurement administrator in the manner set forth in item (2) of subsection (a) of Section 1-75 of this Act to conduct the supplemental procurement or may elect to use the same procurement administrator administering the Agency's annual procurement under Section 1-75. (B) Procurement monitor. The procurement monitor retained by the Commission pursuant to Section 16-111.5 of the Public Utilities Act shall: (i) monitor interactions among the procurement administrator and bidders and suppliers; (ii) monitor and report to the Commission on the progress of the supplemental procurement process; (iii) provide an independent confidential report to the Commission regarding the results of the procurement events; (iv) assess compliance with the procurement plan approved by the Commission for the supplemental procurement process; (v) preserve the confidentiality of supplier and bidding information in a manner consistent with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and tariffs; (vi) provide expert advice to the Commission and consult with the procurement administrator regarding issues related to procurement process design, rules, protocols, and policy-related matters; (vii) consult with the procurement administrator regarding the development and use of benchmark criteria, standard form contracts, credit policies, and bid documents; and (viii) perform, with respect to the supplemental procurement process, any other procurement monitor duties specifically delineated within subsection (i) of this Section. (C) Solicitation, prequalification, and registration of bidders. The procurement administrator shall disseminate information to potential bidders to promote a procurement event, notify potential bidders that the procurement administrator may enter into a post-bid price negotiation with bidders that meet the applicable benchmarks, provide supply requirements, and otherwise explain the competitive procurement process. In addition to such other publication as the procurement administrator determines is appropriate, this information shall be posted on the Agency's and the Commission's websites. The procurement administrator shall also administer the prequalification process, including evaluation of credit worthiness, compliance with procurement rules, and agreement to the standard form contract developed pursuant to item (D) of this paragraph (4). The procurement administrator shall then identify and register bidders to participate in the procurement event. (D) Standard contract forms and credit terms and instruments. The procurement administrator, in consultation with the Agency, the Commission, and other interested parties and subject to Commission oversight, shall develop and provide standard contract forms for the supplier contracts that meet generally accepted industry practices as well as include any applicable State of Illinois terms and conditions that are required for contracts entered into by an agency of the State of Illinois. Standard credit terms and instruments that meet generally accepted industry practices shall be similarly developed. Contracts for new photovoltaics shall include a provision attesting that the supplier will use a qualified person for the installation of the device pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (i) of this Section. The procurement administrator shall make available to the Commission all written comments it receives on the contract forms, credit terms, or instruments. If the procurement administrator cannot reach agreement with the parties as to the contract terms and conditions, the procurement administrator must notify the Commission of any disputed terms and the Commission shall resolve the dispute. The terms of the contracts shall not be subject to negotiation by winning bidders, and the bidders must agree to the terms of the contract in advance so that winning bids are selected solely on the basis of price. (E) Requests for proposals; competitive procurement process. The procurement administrator shall design and issue requests for proposals to supply renewable energy credits in accordance with the supplemental procurement plan, as approved by the Commission. The requests for proposals shall set forth a procedure for sealed, binding commitment bidding with pay-as-bid settlement, and provision for selection of bids on the basis of price, provided, however, that no bid shall be accepted if it exceeds the benchmark developed pursuant to item (F) of this paragraph (4). (F) Benchmarks. Benchmarks for each product to be procured shall be developed by the procurement administrator in consultation with Commission staff, the Agency, and the procurement monitor for use in this supplemental procurement. (G) A plan for implementing contingencies in the event of supplier default, Commission rejection of results, or any other cause. (5) Within 2 business days after opening the sealed bids, the procurement administrator shall submit a confidential report to the Commission. The report shall contain the results of the bidding for each of the products along with the procurement administrator's recommendation for the acceptance and rejection of bids based on the price benchmark criteria and other factors observed in the process. The procurement monitor also shall submit a confidential report to the Commission within 2 business days after opening the sealed bids. The report shall contain the procurement monitor's assessment of bidder behavior in the process as well as an assessment of the procurement administrator's compliance with the procurement process and rules. The Commission shall review the confidential reports submitted by the procurement administrator and procurement monitor and shall accept or reject the recommendations of the procurement administrator within 2 business days after receipt of the reports. (6) Within 3 business days after the Commission decision approving the results of a procurement event, the Agency shall enter into binding contractual arrangements with the winning suppliers using the standard form contracts. (7) The names of the successful bidders and the average of the winning bid prices for each contract type and for each contract term shall be made available to the public within 2 days after the supplemental procurement event. The Commission, the procurement monitor, the procurement administrator, the Agency, and all participants in the procurement process shall maintain the confidentiality of all other supplier and bidding information in a manner consistent with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and tariffs. Confidential information, including the confidential reports submitted by the procurement administrator and procurement monitor pursuant to this Section, shall not be made publicly available and shall not be discoverable by any party in any proceeding, absent a compelling demonstration of need, nor shall those reports be admissible in any proceeding other than one for law enforcement purposes. (8) The supplemental procurement provided in this subsection (i) shall not be subject to the requirements and limitations of subsections (c) and (d) of this Section. (9) Expenses incurred in connection with the procurement process held pursuant to this Section, including, but not limited to, the cost of developing the supplemental procurement plan, the procurement administrator, procurement monitor, and the cost of the retirement of renewable energy credits purchased pursuant to the supplemental procurement shall be paid for from the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund. The Agency shall enter into an interagency agreement with the Commission to reimburse the Commission for its costs associated with the procurement monitor for the supplemental procurement process. (Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21; 103-188, eff. 6-30-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24; 103-1066, eff. 2-20-25.) (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 104-458 ) Sec. 1-56. Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund; Illinois Solar for All Program. (a) The Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. (b) The Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall be administered by the Agency as described in this subsection (b), provided that the changes to this subsection (b) made by Public Act 99-906 shall not interfere with existing contracts under this Section. (1) The Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall be used to purchase renewable energy credits according to any approved procurement plan developed by the Agency prior to June 1, 2017. (2) The Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall also be used to create the Illinois Solar for All Program, which provides incentives for low-income distributed generation and community solar projects, and other associated approved expenditures. The objectives of the Illinois Solar for All Program are to bring photovoltaics to low-income communities in this State in a manner that maximizes the development of new photovoltaic generating facilities, to create a long-term, low-income solar marketplace throughout this State, to integrate, through interaction with stakeholders, with existing energy efficiency initiatives, and to minimize administrative costs. The Illinois Solar for All Program shall be implemented in a manner that seeks to minimize administrative costs, and maximize efficiencies and synergies available through coordination with similar initiatives, including the Adjustable Block program described in subparagraphs (K) through (M) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75, energy efficiency programs, job training programs, community action agencies, and agencies that administer the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The Agency shall strive to ensure that renewable energy credits procured through the Illinois Solar for All Program and each of its subprograms are purchased from projects across the breadth of low-income and environmental justice communities in Illinois, including both urban and rural communities, are not concentrated in a few communities, and do not exclude particular low-income or environmental justice communities. The Agency shall include a description of its proposed approach to the design, administration, implementation and evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All Program, as part of the long-term renewable resources procurement plan authorized by subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act, and the program shall be designed to grow the low-income solar market. The Agency or utility, as applicable, shall purchase renewable energy credits from the (i) photovoltaic distributed renewable energy generation projects and (ii) community solar projects that are procured under procurement processes authorized by the long-term renewable resources procurement plans approved by the Commission. The Illinois Solar for All Program shall include the program offerings described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of this paragraph (2), which the Agency shall implement through contracts with third-party providers and, subject to appropriation, pay the approximate amounts identified using monies available in the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund. Each contract that provides for the installation of solar facilities shall provide that the solar facilities will produce energy and economic benefits, at a level determined by the Agency to be reasonable, for the participating low-income customers. The monies available in the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund and not otherwise committed to contracts executed under subsection (i) of this Section, as well as, in the case of the programs described under subparagraphs (A) through (E) of this paragraph (2), funding authorized pursuant to subparagraph (O) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act, shall initially be allocated among the programs described in this paragraph (2), as follows: 35% of these funds shall be allocated to programs described in subparagraphs (A) and (E) of this paragraph (2), 40% of these funds shall be allocated to programs described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph (2), and 25% of these funds shall be allocated to programs described in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph (2). The allocation of funds among subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (E) of this paragraph (2) may be changed if the Agency, after receiving input through a stakeholder process, determines incentives in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (E) of this paragraph (2) have not been adequately subscribed to fully utilize available Illinois Solar for All Program funds. Contracts that will be paid with funds in the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall be executed by the Agency. Contracts that will be paid with funds collected by an electric utility shall be executed by the electric utility. Contracts under the Illinois Solar for All Program shall include an approach, as set forth in the long-term renewable resources procurement plans, to ensure the wholesale market value of the energy is credited to participating low-income customers or organizations and to ensure tangible economic benefits flow directly to program participants, except in the case of low-income multi-family housing where the low-income customer does not directly pay for energy. Priority shall be given to projects that demonstrate meaningful involvement of low-income community members in designing the initial proposals. Acceptable proposals to implement projects must demonstrate the applicant's ability to conduct initial community outreach, education, and recruitment of low-income participants in the community. Projects submitted by approved vendors must either comply with the minimum equity standard set forth in subsection (c-10) of Section 1-75 of this Act or include job training opportunities if available, with the specific level of trainee usage to be determined through the Agency's long-term renewable resources procurement plan, and the Illinois Solar for All Program Administrator shall coordinate with the job training programs described in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 16-108.12 of the Public Utilities Act and in the Energy Transition Act. The Agency shall make every effort to ensure that small and emerging businesses, particularly those located in low-income and environmental justice communities, are able to participate in the Illinois Solar for All Program. These efforts may include, but shall not be limited to, proactive support from the program administrator, different or preferred access to subprograms and administrator-identified customers or grassroots education provider-identified customers, and different incentive levels. The Agency shall report on progress and barriers to participation of small and emerging businesses in the Illinois Solar for All Program at least once a year. The report shall be made available on the Agency's website and, in years when the Agency is updating its long-term renewable resources procurement plan, included in that Plan. (A) Low-income single-family and small multifamily solar incentive. This program will provide incentives to low-income customers, either directly or through solar providers, to increase the participation of low-income households in photovoltaic on-site distributed generation at residential buildings containing one to 4 units. Companies participating in this program that install solar panels shall commit to meeting a minimum equity standard or hiring job trainees for a portion of their low-income installations, and an administrator shall facilitate partnering the companies that install solar panels with entities that provide solar panel installation job training. It is a goal of this program that a minimum of 25% of the incentives for this program be allocated to projects located within environmental justice communities. Contracts entered into under this paragraph may be entered into with an entity that will develop and administer the program and shall also include contracts for renewable energy credits from the photovoltaic distributed generation that is the subject of the program, as set forth in the long-term renewable resources procurement plan. Additionally: (i) The Agency shall reserve a portion of this program for projects that promote energy sovereignty through ownership of projects by low-income households, not-for-profit organizations providing services to low-income households, affordable housing owners, community cooperatives, or community-based limited liability companies providing services to low-income households. Projects that feature energy ownership should ensure that local people have control of the project and reap benefits from the project over and above energy bill savings. The Agency may consider the inclusion of projects that promote ownership over time or that involve partial project ownership by communities, as promoting energy sovereignty. Incentives for projects that promote energy sovereignty may be higher than incentives for equivalent projects that do not promote energy sovereignty under this same program. (ii) Through its long-term renewable resources procurement plan, the Agency shall consider additional program and contract requirements to ensure faithful compliance by applicants benefiting from preferences for projects designated to promote energy sovereignty. The Agency shall make every effort to enable solar providers already participating in the Adjustable Block program under subparagraph (K) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act, and particularly solar providers developing projects under item (i) of subparagraph (K) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act to easily participate in the Low-Income Distributed Generation Incentive program described under this subparagraph (A), and vice versa. This effort may include, but shall not be limited to, utilizing similar or the same application systems and processes, utilizing similar or the same forms and formats of communication, and providing active outreach to companies participating in one program but not the other. The Agency shall report on efforts made to encourage this cross-participation in its long-term renewable resources procurement plan. (iii) To maximize equitable participation in this program and overcome challenges facing the development of residential solar projects, the Agency may propose a payment structure for contracts executed pursuant to this subparagraph (A) under which applicant firms are advanced capital that is disbursed after contract execution but before the contracted project's energization, upon a demonstration of qualification or need under criteria established by the Agency that are focused on supporting the small and emerging businesses and the businesses that most acutely face barriers to capital access, which severely limits the businesses' participation in the program described in this subparagraph (A). The amount or percentage of capital advanced before project energization shall be designed to overcome the barriers in access to capital that are faced by an applicant. The amount or percentage of advanced capital may vary under this subparagraph (A) by an applicant's demonstration of need, with such levels to be established through the Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan and any application requirements or evaluation criteria developed under that Plan. (B) Low-Income Community Solar Project Initiative. Incentives shall be offered to low-income customers, either directly or through developers, to increase the participation of low-income subscribers of community solar projects. The developer of each project shall identify its partnership with community stakeholders regarding the location, development, and participation in the project, provided that nothing shall preclude a project from including an anchor tenant that does not qualify as low-income. Companies participating in this program that develop or install solar projects shall commit to meeting a minimum equity standard or to hiring job trainees for a portion of their low-income installations, and an administrator shall facilitate partnering the companies that install solar projects with entities that provide solar installation and related job training. It is a goal of this program that a minimum of 25% of the incentives for this program be allocated to community photovoltaic projects in environmental justice communities. The Agency shall reserve a portion of this program for projects that promote energy sovereignty through ownership of projects by low-income households, not-for-profit organizations providing services to low-income households, affordable housing owners, or community-based limited liability companies providing services to low-income households. Projects that feature energy ownership should ensure that local people have control of the project and reap benefits from the project over and above energy bill savings. The Agency may consider the inclusion of projects that promote ownership over time or that involve partial project ownership by communities, as promoting energy sovereignty. Incentives for projects that promote energy sovereignty may be higher than incentives for equivalent projects that do not promote energy sovereignty under this same program. Contracts entered into under this paragraph may be entered into with developers and shall also include contracts for renewable energy credits related to the program. (C) Incentives for non-profits and public facilities. Under this program funds shall be used to support on-site photovoltaic distributed renewable energy generation devices to serve the load associated with not-for-profit customers and to support photovoltaic distributed renewable energy generation that uses photovoltaic technology to serve the load associated with public sector customers taking service at public buildings. Master-metered multifamily buildings that primarily house income-eligible residents may qualify under this subparagraph (C). Nonprofits and public facilities that can demonstrate that the nonprofit or public facility serves income-qualified or environmental justice communities may potentially qualify for the program, regardless of physical location. Qualification may be determined using the same procedures applied to critical service provider requests for the purpose of establishing project eligibility in areas that are not designated as income-eligible or environmental justice communities. Companies participating in this program that develop or install solar projects shall commit to meeting a minimum equity standard or to hiring job trainees for a portion of their low-income installations, and an administrator shall facilitate partnering the companies that install solar projects with entities that provide solar installation and related job training. Through its long-term renewable resources procurement plan, the Agency shall consider additional program and contract requirements to ensure faithful compliance by applicants benefiting from preferences for projects designated to promote energy sovereignty. It is a goal of this program that at least 25% of the incentives for this program be allocated to projects located in environmental justice communities. Contracts entered into under this paragraph may be entered into with an entity that will develop and administer the program or with developers and shall also include contracts for renewable energy credits related to the program. (D) (Blank). (E) Low-income large multifamily solar incentive. This program shall provide incentives to low-income customers, either directly or through solar providers, to increase the participation of low-income households in photovoltaic on-site distributed generation at residential buildings with 5 or more units. Companies participating in this program that develop or install solar projects shall commit to meeting a minimum equity standard or to hiring job trainees for a portion of their low-income installations, and an administrator shall facilitate partnering the companies that install solar projects with entities that provide solar installation and related job training. It is a goal of this program that a minimum of 25% of the incentives for this program be allocated to projects located within environmental justice communities. The Agency shall reserve a portion of this program for projects that promote energy sovereignty through ownership of projects by low-income households, not-for-profit organizations providing services to low-income households, affordable housing owners, or community-based limited liability companies providing services to low-income households. Projects that feature energy ownership should ensure that local people have control of the project and reap benefits from the project over and above energy bill savings. The Agency may consider the inclusion of projects that promote ownership over time or that involve partial project ownership by communities, as promoting energy sovereignty. Incentives for projects that promote energy sovereignty may be higher than incentives for equivalent projects that do not promote energy sovereignty under this same program. The requirement that a qualified person, as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (i) of this Section, install photovoltaic devices does not apply to the Illinois Solar for All Program described in this subsection (b). In addition to the programs outlined in paragraphs (A) through (E), the Agency and other parties may propose additional programs through the long-term renewable resources procurement plan developed and approved under paragraph (5) of subsection (b) of Section 16-111.5 of the Public Utilities Act. Additional programs may target market segments not specified above and may also include incentives targeted to increase the uptake of nonphotovoltaic technologies by low-income customers, including energy storage paired with photovoltaics, if the Commission determines that the Illinois Solar for All Program would provide greater benefits to the public health and well-being of low-income residents through also supporting that additional program versus supporting programs already authorized. (3) Costs associated with the Illinois Solar for All Program and its components described in paragraph (2) of this subsection (b), including, but not limited to, costs associated with procuring experts, consultants, and the program administrator referenced in this subsection (b) and related incremental costs, costs related to income verification and facilitating customer participation in the program through referrals and other methods, costs related to obtaining feedback on the program from parties that do not have a financial interest, and costs related to the evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All Program, may be paid for using monies in the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund, and funds allocated pursuant to subparagraph (O) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75, but the Agency or program administrator shall strive to minimize costs in the implementation of the program. The Agency or contracting electric utility shall purchase renewable energy credits from generation that is the subject of a contract under subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (2) of this subsection (b), and may pay for such renewable energy credits through an upfront payment per installed kilowatt of nameplate capacity paid once the device is interconnected at the distribution system level of the interconnecting utility and verified as energized. Unless otherwise provided in the Agency's long-term renewable resources procurement plan, payments for renewable energy credits shall be in exchange for all renewable energy credits generated by the system during the first 15 years of operation and shall be structured to overcome barriers to participation in the solar market by the low-income community. The incentives provided for in this Section may be implemented through the pricing of renewable energy credits where the prices paid for the credits are higher than the prices from programs offered under subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act to account for the additional capital necessary to successfully access targeted market segments. The Agency or contracting electric utility shall retire any renewable energy credits purchased under this program and the credits shall count toward the obligation under subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act for the electric utility to which the project is interconnected, if applicable. The Agency shall direct that up to 5% of the funds available under the Illinois Solar for All Program to community-based groups and other qualifying organizations to assist in community-driven education efforts related to the Illinois Solar for All Program, including general energy education, job training program outreach efforts, and other activities deemed to be qualified by the Agency. Grassroots education funding shall not be used to support the marketing by solar project development firms and organizations, unless such education provides equal opportunities for all applicable firms and organizations. The Agency may direct up to 25% of the funds currently allocated to subparagraphs (A), (C), and (E) of paragraph (2) toward the Illinois Storage for All Program, which provides incentives through grants, rebates, or other incentives to encourage development of energy storage colocated with photovoltaic distributed renewable energy generation devices developed through the Illinois Solar for All Program. Any unused Storage for All funds during a program year may be reallocated to other Solar for All Program projects that are waitlisted or otherwise not selected due to funding limitation per the Agency's defined process. The Illinois Storage for All Program shall be available to current and future participants of the low-income single-family and multifamily subprogram described in subparagraphs (A) and (E) of paragraph (2), and the subprogram for nonprofit and public facilities described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2). If developed, the Illinois Storage for All Program may be designed to support community energy resilience, disaster preparedness, and energy bill reductions, particularly for residents of low-income and environmental justice communities. The Agency may propose the funding amount, structure, and details of the Illinois Storage for All Program in the Agency's long-term renewable resources procurement plan described in subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act and Section 16-111.5 of the Public Utilities Act, or through its energy storage resources procurement plan described in subsection (d-20) of Section 1-75 of this Act. As part of the development of its initial energy storage resources procurement plan, the Agency shall engage stakeholders in the development of the Illinois Storage for All Program, including, but not limited to, members of the Illinois Commission on Environmental Justice described in Section 10 of the Environmental Justice Act, representatives of approved vendors participating in the Illinois Solar for All Program, representatives of community-based organizations, and members of the Illinois Solar for All Stakeholder Advisory Group. The stakeholder process shall include, but not be limited to, an exploration of how to ensure that the distributed storage will be accessible to income-qualified households with zero upfront costs and in coordination with job training programs, as well as how the program may be supported by other programs or initiatives to maximize storage benefits and limit double-counting of incentives. (4) The Agency shall, consistent with the requirements of this subsection (b), propose the Illinois Solar for All Program terms, conditions, and requirements, including the prices to be paid for renewable energy credits, and which prices may be determined through a formula, through the development, review, and approval of the Agency's long-term renewable resources procurement plan described in subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act and Section 16-111.5 of the Public Utilities Act. In the course of the Commission proceeding initiated to review and approve the plan, including the Illinois Solar for All Program proposed by the Agency, a party may propose an additional low-income solar or solar incentive program, or modifications to the programs proposed by the Agency, and the Commission may approve an additional program, or modifications to the Agency's proposed program, if the additional or modified program more effectively maximizes the benefits to low-income customers after taking into account all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the extent to which a competitive market for low-income solar has developed. Following the Commission's approval of the Illinois Solar for All Program, the Agency or a party may propose adjustments to the program terms, conditions, and requirements, including the price offered to new systems, to ensure the long-term viability and success of the program. The Commission shall review and approve any modifications to the program through the plan revision process described in Section 16-111.5 of the Public Utilities Act. (5) The Agency shall issue a request for qualifications for a third-party program administrator or administrators to administer all or a portion of the Illinois Solar for All Program. The third-party program administrator shall be chosen through a competitive bid process based on selection criteria and requirements developed by the Agency, including, but not limited to, experience in administering low-income energy programs and overseeing statewide clean energy or energy efficiency services. If the Agency retains a program administrator or administrators to implement all or a portion of the Illinois Solar for All Program, each administrator shall periodically submit reports to the Agency and Commission for each program that it administers, at appropriate intervals to be identified by the Agency in its long-term renewable resources procurement plan, subject to Commission approval, provided that the reporting interval is at least an annual period. The third-party program administrator may be, but need not be, the same administrator as for the Adjustable Block program described in subparagraphs (K) through (M) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75. The Agency, through its long-term renewable resources procurement plan approval process, shall also determine if individual subprograms of the Illinois Solar for All Program are better served by a different or separate Program Administrator. The third-party administrator's responsibilities shall also include facilitating placement for graduates of Illinois-based renewable energy-specific job training programs, including the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program and the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and programs administered under Section 16-108.12 of the Public Utilities Act. To increase the uptake of trainees by participating firms, the administrator shall also develop a web-based clearinghouse for information available to both job training program graduates and firms participating, directly or indirectly, in Illinois solar incentive programs. The program administrator shall also coordinate its activities with entities implementing electric and natural gas income-qualified energy efficiency programs, including customer referrals to and from such programs, and connect prospective low-income solar customers with any existing deferred maintenance programs where applicable. (6) The long-term renewable resources procurement plan shall also provide for an independent evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All Program. At least every 5 years, the Agency shall select an independent evaluator to review and report on the Illinois Solar for All Program and the performance of the third-party program administrator of the Illinois Solar for All Program. The evaluation shall be based on objective criteria developed through a public stakeholder process. The process shall include feedback and participation from Illinois Solar for All Program stakeholders, including participants and organizations in environmental justice and historically underserved communities. The report shall include a summary of the evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All Program based on the stakeholder developed objective criteria. The report shall include the number of projects installed; the total installed capacity in kilowatts; the average cost per kilowatt of installed capacity to the extent reasonably obtainable by the Agency; the number of jobs or job opportunities created; economic, social, and environmental benefits created; and the total administrative costs expended by the Agency and program administrator to implement and evaluate the program. The report shall be prepared at least every 2 years and shall be delivered to the Commission and posted on the Agency's website, and shall be used, as needed, to revise the Illinois Solar for All Program. The Commission shall also consider the results of the evaluation as part of its review of the long-term renewable resources procurement plan under subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act. (7) If additional funding for the programs described in this subsection (b) is available under subsection (k) of Section 16-108 of the Public Utilities Act, then the Agency shall submit a procurement plan to the Commission no later than September 1, 2018, that proposes how the Agency will procure programs on behalf of the applicable utility. After notice and hearing, the Commission shall approve, or approve with modification, the plan no later than November 1, 2018. (8) As part of the development and update of the long-term renewable resources procurement plan authorized by subsection (c) of Section 1-75 of this Act, the Agency shall plan for: (A) actions to refer customers from the Illinois Solar for All Program to electric and natural gas income-qualified energy efficiency programs, and vice versa, with the goal of increasing participation in both of these programs; (B) effective procedures for data sharing, as needed, to effectuate referrals between the Illinois Solar for All Program and both electric and natural gas income-qualified energy efficiency programs, including sharing customer information directly with the utilities, as needed and appropriate; and (C) efforts to identify any existing deferred maintenance programs for which prospective Solar for All Program customers may be eligible and connect prospective customers for whom deferred maintenance is or may be a barrier to solar installation to those programs. Income verification for participation in the Illinois Solar for All subprograms described in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph (2) may include pathways for verification that rely on self-attestation by the applicant if the applicant's residence is located within a low-income or environmental justice community as defined in this subsection (b). The Agency shall proactively explore approaches that make the income verification process less burdensome for residents of low-income or environmental justice communities, as defined in this subsection (b). As used in this subsection (b), "low-income households" means persons and families whose income does not exceed 80% of area median income, adjusted for family size and revised every year. For the purposes of this subsection (b), the Agency shall define "environmental justice community" based on the methodologies and findings established by the Agency and the Administrator for the Illinois Solar for All Program in its initial long-term renewable resources procurement plan and as updated by the Agency and the Administrator for the Illinois Solar for All Program as part of the long-term renewable resources procurement plan update. (b-5) After the receipt of all payments required by Section 16-115D of the Public Utilities Act, no additional funds shall be deposited into the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund unless directed by order of the Commission. (b-10) After the receipt of all payments required by Section 16-115D of the Public Utilities Act and payment in full of all contracts executed by the Agency under subsections (b) and (i) of this Section, if the balance of the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund is under $5,000, then the Fund shall be inoperative and any remaining funds and any funds submitted to the Fund after that date, shall be transferred to the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund for use in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, as authorized by the Energy Assistance Act. (b-15) The prevailing wage requirements set forth in the Prevailing Wage Act apply to each project that is undertaken pursuant to one or more of the programs of incentives and initiatives described in subsection (b) of this Section and for which a project application is submitted to the program after June 30, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 103-188), except (i) projects that serve single-family or multi-family residential buildings and (ii) projects with an aggregate capacity of less than 100 kilowatts that serve houses of worship. The Agency shall require verification that all construction performed on a project by the renewable energy credit delivery contract holder, its contractors, or its subcontractors relating to the construction of the facility is performed by workers receiving an amount for that work that is greater than or equal to the general prevailing rate of wages as that term is defined in the Prevailing Wage Act, and the Agency may adjust renewable energy credit prices to account for increased labor costs. In this subsection (b-15), "house of worship" has the meaning given in subparagraph (Q) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Section 1-75. (c) (Blank). (d) (Blank). (e) All renewable energy credits procured using monies from the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall be permanently retired. (f) The selection of one or more third-party program managers or administrators, the selection of the independent evaluator, and the procurement processes described in this Section are exempt from the requirements of the Illinois Procurement Code, under Section 20-10 of that Code. (g) All disbursements from the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall be made only upon warrants of the Comptroller drawn upon the Treasurer as custodian of the Fund upon vouchers signed by the Director or by the person or persons designated by the Director for that purpose. The Comptroller is authorized to draw the warrant upon vouchers so signed. The Treasurer shall accept all warrants so signed and shall be released from liability for all payments made on those warrants. (h) The Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund shall not be subject to sweeps, administrative charges, or chargebacks, including, but not limited to, those authorized under Section 8h of the State Finance Act, that would in any way result in the transfer of any funds from this Fund to any other fund of this State or in having any such funds utilized for any purpose other than the express purposes set forth in this Section. (h-5) The Agency may assess fees to each bidder to recover the costs incurred in connection with a procurement process held under this Section. Fees collected from bidders shall be deposited into the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund. (i) Supplemental procurement process. (1) Within 90 days after June 30, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act 98-672), the Agency shall develop a one-time supplemental procurement plan limited to the procurement of renewable energy credits, if available, from new or existing photovoltaics, including, but not limited to, distributed photovoltaic generation. Nothing in this subsection (i) requires procurement of wind generation through the supplemental procurement. Renewable energy credits procured from new photovoltaics, including, but not limited to, distributed photovoltaic generation, under this subsection (i) must be procured from devices installed by a qualified person. In its supplemental procurement plan, the Agency shall establish contractually enforceable mechanisms for ensuring that the installation of new photovoltaics is performed by a qualified person. For the purposes of this paragraph (1), "qualified person" means a person who performs installations of photovoltaics, including, but not limited to, distributed photovoltaic generation, and who: (A) has completed an apprenticeship as a journeyman electrician from a United States Department of Labor registered electrical apprenticeship and training program and received a certification of satisfactory completion; or (B) does not currently meet the criteria under clause (A) of this paragraph (1), but is enrolled in a United States Department of Labor registered electrical apprenticeship program, provided that the person is directly supervised by a person who meets the criteria under clause (A) of this paragraph (1); or (C) has obtained one of the following credentials in addition to attesting to satisfactory completion of at least 5 years or 8,000 hours of documented hands-on electrical experience: (i) a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Installer Certificate for Solar PV; (ii) an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) PV Systems Installer Certificate; (iii) an Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETAI) Level 3 PV Installer Certificate; or (iv) an Associate in Applied Science degree from an Illinois Community College Board approved community college program in renewable energy or a distributed generation technology. For the purposes of this paragraph (1), "directly supervised" means that there is a qualified person who meets the qualifications under clause (A) of this paragraph (1) and who is available for supervision and consultation regarding the work performed by persons under clause (B) of this paragraph (1), including a final inspection of the installation work that has been directly supervised to ensure safety and conformity with applicable codes. For the purposes of this paragraph (1), "install" means the major activities and actions required to connect, in accordance with applicable building and electrical codes, the conductors, connectors, and all associated fittings, devices, power outlets, or apparatuses mounted at the premises that are directly involved in delivering energy to the premises' electrical wiring from the photovoltaics, including, but not limited to, to distributed photovoltaic generation. The renewable energy credits procured pursuant to the supplemental procurement plan shall be procured using up to $30,000,000 from the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund. The Agency shall not plan to use funds from the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund in excess of the monies on deposit in such fund or projected to be deposited into such fund. The supplemental procurement plan shall ensure adequate, reliable, affordable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable renewable energy resources (including credits) at the lowest total cost over time, taking into account any benefits of price stability. To the extent available, 50% of the renewable energy credits procured from distributed renewable energy generation shall come from devices of less than 25 kilowatts in nameplate capacity. Procurement of renewable energy credits from distributed renewable energy generation devices shall be done through multi-year contracts of no less than 5 years. The Agency shall create credit requirements for counterparties. In order to minimize the administrative burden on contracting entities, the Agency shall solicit the use of third parties to aggregate distributed renewable energy. These third parties shall enter into and administer contracts with individual distributed renewable energy generation device owners. An individual distributed renewable energy generation device owner shall have the ability to measure the output of his or her distributed renewable energy generation device. In developing the supplemental procurement plan, the Agency shall hold at least one workshop open to the public within 90 days after June 30, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act 98-672) and shall consider any comments made by stakeholders or the public. Upon development of the supplemental procurement plan within this 90-day period, copies of the supplemental procurement plan shall be posted and made publicly available on the Agency's and Commission's websites. All interested parties shall have 14 days following the date of posting to provide comment to the Agency on the supplemental procurement plan. All comments submitted to the Agency shall be specific, supported by data or other detailed analyses, and, if objecting to all or a portion of the supplemental procurement plan, accompanied by specific alternative wording or proposals. All comments shall be posted on the Agency's and Commission's websites. Within 14 days following the end of the 14-day review period, the Agency shall revise the supplemental procurement plan as necessary based on the comments received and file its revised supplemental procurement plan with the Commission for approval. (2) Within 5 days after the filing of the supplemental procurement plan at the Commission, any person objecting to the supplemental procurement plan shall file an objection with the Commission. Within 10 days after the filing, the Commission shall determine whether a hearing is necessary. The Commission shall enter its order confirming or modifying the supplemental procurement plan within 90 days after the filing of the supplemental procurement plan by the Agency. (3) The Commission shall approve the supplemental procurement plan of renewable energy credits to be procured from new or existing photovoltaics, including, but not limited to, distributed photovoltaic generation, if the Commission determines that it will ensure adequate, reliable, affordable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable electric service in the form of renewable energy credits at the lowest total cost over time, taking into account any benefits of price stability. (4) The supplemental procurement process under this subsection (i) shall include each of the following components: (A) Procurement administrator. The Agency may retain a procurement administrator in the manner set forth in item (2) of subsection (a) of Section 1-75 of this Act to conduct the supplemental procurement or may elect to use the same procurement administrator administering the Agency's annual procurement under Section 1-75. (B) Procurement monitor. The procurement monitor retained by the Commission pursuant to Section 16-111.5 of the Public Utilities Act shall: (i) monitor interactions among the procurement administrator and bidders and suppliers; (ii) monitor and report to the Commission on the progress of the supplemental procurement process; (iii) provide an independent confidential report to the Commission regarding the results of the procurement events; (iv) assess compliance with the procurement plan approved by the Commission for the supplemental procurement process; (v) preserve the confidentiality of supplier and bidding information in a manner consistent with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and tariffs; (vi) provide expert advice to the Commission and consult with the procurement administrator regarding issues related to procurement process design, rules, protocols, and policy-related matters; (vii) consult with the procurement administrator regarding the development and use of benchmark criteria, standard form contracts, credit policies, and bid documents; and (viii) perform, with respect to the supplemental procurement process, any other procurement monitor duties specifically delineated within subsection (i) of this Section. (C) Solicitation, prequalification, and registration of bidders. The procurement administrator shall disseminate information to potential bidders to promote a procurement event, notify potential bidders that the procurement administrator may enter into a post-bid price negotiation with bidders that meet the applicable benchmarks, provide supply requirements, and otherwise explain the competitive procurement process. In addition to such other publication as the procurement administrator determines is appropriate, this information shall be posted on the Agency's and the Commission's websites. The procurement administrator shall also administer the prequalification process, including evaluation of credit worthiness, compliance with procurement rules, and agreement to the standard form contract developed pursuant to item (D) of this paragraph (4). The procurement administrator shall then identify and register bidders to participate in the procurement event. (D) Standard contract forms and credit terms and instruments. The procurement administrator, in consultation with the Agency, the Commission, and other interested parties and subject to Commission oversight, shall develop and provide standard contract forms for the supplier contracts that meet generally accepted industry practices as well as include any applicable State of Illinois terms and conditions that are required for contracts entered into by an agency of the State of Illinois. Standard credit terms and instruments that meet generally accepted industry practices shall be similarly developed. Contracts for new photovoltaics shall include a provision attesting that the supplier will use a qualified person for the installation of the device pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (i) of this Section. The procurement administrator shall make available to the Commission all written comments it receives on the contract forms, credit terms, or instruments. If the procurement administrator cannot reach agreement with the parties as to the contract terms and conditions, the procurement administrator must notify the Commission of any disputed terms and the Commission shall resolve the dispute. The terms of the contracts shall not be subject to negotiation by winning bidders, and the bidders must agree to the terms of the contract in advance so that winning bids are selected solely on the basis of price. (E) Requests for proposals; competitive procurement process. The procurement administrator shall design and issue requests for proposals to supply renewable energy credits in accordance with the supplemental procurement plan, as approved by the Commission. The requests for proposals shall set forth a procedure for sealed, binding commitment bidding with pay-as-bid settlement, and provision for selection of bids on the basis of price, provided, however, that no bid shall be accepted if it exceeds the benchmark developed pursuant to item (F) of this paragraph (4). (F) Benchmarks. Benchmarks for each product to be procured shall be developed by the procurement administrator in consultation with Commission staff, the Agency, and the procurement monitor for use in this supplemental procurement. (G) A plan for implementing contingencies in the event of supplier default, Commission rejection of results, or any other cause. (5) Within 2 business days after opening the sealed bids, the procurement administrator shall submit a confidential report to the Commission. The report shall contain the results of the bidding for each of the products along with the procurement administrator's recommendation for the acceptance and rejection of bids based on the price benchmark criteria and other factors observed in the process. The procurement monitor also shall submit a confidential report to the Commission within 2 business days after opening the sealed bids. The report shall contain the procurement monitor's assessment of bidder behavior in the process as well as an assessment of the procurement administrator's compliance with the procurement process and rules. The Commission shall review the confidential reports submitted by the procurement administrator and procurement monitor and shall accept or reject the recommendations of the procurement administrator within 2 business days after receipt of the reports. (6) Within 3 business days after the Commission decision approving the results of a procurement event, the Agency shall enter into binding contractual arrangements with the winning suppliers using the standard form contracts. (7) The names of the successful bidders and the average of the winning bid prices for each contract type and for each contract term shall be made available to the public within 2 days after the supplemental procurement event. The Commission, the procurement monitor, the procurement administrator, the Agency, and all participants in the procurement process shall maintain the confidentiality of all other supplier and bidding information in a manner consistent with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and tariffs. Confidential information, including the confidential reports submitted by the procurement administrator and procurement monitor pursuant to this Section, shall not be made publicly available and shall not be discoverable by any party in any proceeding, absent a compelling demonstration of need, nor shall those reports be admissible in any proceeding other than one for law enforcement purposes. (8) The supplemental procurement provided in this subsection (i) shall not be subject to the requirements and limitations of subsections (c) and (d) of this Section. (9) Expenses incurred in connection with the procurement process held pursuant to this Section, including, but not limited to, the cost of developing the supplemental procurement plan, the procurement administrator, procurement monitor, and the cost of the retirement of renewable energy credits purchased pursuant to the supplemental procurement shall be paid for from the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund. The Agency shall enter into an interagency agreement with the Commission to reimburse the Commission for its costs associated with the procurement monitor for the supplemental procurement process.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 103-188, eff. 6-30-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24; 103-1066, eff. 2-20-25; 104-458, eff. 6-1-26.)