Illinois solar power seriously includes solar panels and heat systems? Why Illinois

The following is a list of programs, contacts, and incentives specific to each Midwest state. For a more complete list, please visit the “Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)”, a comprehensive source of information on the status of programs and incentives that promote renewable energy. The database tracks information on financial incentives, regulatory policies and awareness and investment programs and is accessible online at http://www.dsireusa.org/. DSIRE is an ongoing project of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Power Technologies and managed by the North Carolina Solar Center.

Property Tax Special Assessment for Renewable Energy Systems
This statute allows for a special assessment of solar energy systems for property tax purposes. Eligible equipment includes active and passive systems, as well as wind and geothermal systems. Contact the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs for more information.

Alternative Energy Bond Fund Program
This grant program funds capital projects of any renewable energy technology up to 100 percent of the total project cost. Grants range from $60,000 to $1,000,000, and current appropriations for the program are $5 million. Note that this fund is not available for residential projects. The Bureau of Energy and Recycling under the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs administers the program.

Renewable Energy Resources Program Grants and Rebates
The Renewable Energy Resources Program (RERP) fosters investment in and the development and use of renewable energy resources within the state of Illinois. RERP distributes funds in the form of grants (for large systems) and rebates (for small systems). Grant funds may only be used for actual equipment and installation expenses. Eligible applicants include associations, individuals, private companies, public and private schools, colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, and units of state and local government. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Contact the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs for more information.

Mainstay Energy Rewards Program - Green Tag Purchase Program
Mainstay Energy is a private company offering customers who install, or have installed, renewable energy systems the opportunity to sell the green tags (also known as renewable energy credits, or RECs) associated with the energy generated by these systems. These green tags will be brought to market as Green-e certified products. Participating customers receive regular, recurring payments. The amount of the payments depends on the type of renewable energy technology, the production of electricity by that system, and the length of the contract period. The system must be grid-connected, but does not need to be a net "exporter" of electricity.
For more information, contact:

Mainstay Energy
161 E. Chicago Ave.
Suite 41B
Chicago, IL 60611-2624
(877) 473-3682
www.mainstayenergy.com

Photovoltaic Incentive Program
Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), in partnership with Spire Solar Chicago, offers property owners a rebate to help support locally-based photovoltaics manufacturing and the installation of photovoltaic systems within the City of Chicago. Under the Photovoltaic Incentive Program, which began in January 2003, individuals and organizations are eligible for ComEd rebates on grid-tied solar electric systems purchased from Spire Solar Chicago. All building owners are eligible, provided they are located in the City of Chicago and have an active ComEd electricity account. Systems must be between 1 kW and 50 kW of direct current nameplate capacity. Eligible recipients will be awarded $1,250 per kilowatt in 2003 and $1,000 per kilowatt in 2004. Rebates are available through 2004 or until funding is exhausted. All solar energy systems will be installed by Spire Solar Chicago, a local manufacturer of solar electric panels.
For more information, contact:

Spire Solar Chicago
445 North Sacramento Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 638-1543
www.spiresolarchicago.com

Net Metering
In April 2000, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), the investor-owned utility serving the city of Chicago and surrounding areas, established a special billing program that allows for net metering of photovoltaic and wind energy systems up to 40 kW. The program is available to all customer classes in the ComEd service area, with the total installed generating capacity not to exceed 0.1 percent of the utility's annual peak demand.

ComEd will pay the customer, on a monthly basis, the utility's avoided costs for any net excess generation. In addition, as an incentive for customers to participate in the program, ComEd will make an annual payment for the customer's total excess power put back into ComEd's system during the year (up to the amount of power the customer took from ComEd during the year). Customers will be paid at a rate representing the difference between the average avoided cost paid to the customer and the average retail rate paid by the customer during the year.
Visit ComEd’s Web site at www.ucm.com/comedfor more information, or contact:

ComEd Energy
ESO Tech. Services, 2nd Fl (02-NE-025)
Three Lincoln Centre
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-4260
(630) 437-2766

Interconnection
Illinois has not enacted any statewide requirements for interconnection of renewable energy systems, other than standards established under the federal PURPA law. Commonwealth Edison’s net metering agreement specifies that generating facilities must use an inverter listed per UL 1741. It also requires systems over 25 kilowatts to be inspected and tested by ComEd to its satisfaction. Commonwealth Edison has developed a relatively simple, user-friendly, five-page interconnection agreement for customers participating in its net metering program. Contact ComEd (see above address) for more information.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs Bureau of Energy and Recycling
The Renewable Energy Resources Program is administered through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs' (DCCA) Bureau of Energy and Recycling. The Renewable Energy Resources program fosters investment in and the development and use of renewable energy resources within the state of Illinois. This program provides rebate and grant funding for projects that increase the use of alternative energy technologies in Illinois.

For more information, contact:
Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs
Bureau of Energy and Recycling
620 East Adams Street
Springfield, Illinois 62701
(217) 557-1925
www.commerce.state.il.us/com/energy/index.html

Illinois Commerce Commission
The Illinois Commerce Commission is the state's Public Utility Commission. In an age of diminishing economic regulation, the agency still holds authority in the public interest to oversee several financial and service aspects of investor-owned electric, gas, telephone, water and sewer utilities.

For more information, contact:
IL Commerce Commission
527 E. Capitol Avenue
Springfield, IL 62701
(800) 524-0795
www.icc.state.il.us

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