Large Distributed Solar and Wind Grant Program

March 15, 2017

Summary

Note: This program is closed as of December 2015. Updates regarding funding availability for Fiscal Year 2016 will be posted on the program website shown above as they are available. At this time, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is unsure if there will be any changes to incentive levels for 2016. 

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering grants for community-scale solar and wind projects located in Illinois.

The incentives last year for proposed solar photovoltaic projects were grants up to 25% of eligible project costs for business entities and 40% for local government and non-profit entities. Solar thermal and wind energy projects were eligible for grants up to 30% of eligible project costs for business entities and 40% for local government and non-profit entities. The maximum grant award is $250,000. 

Applicants must be customers of a utility that imposes the Renewable Energy Resources and Coal Technology Development Assistance Charge

All solar PV and wind energy systems must be installed by a distributed generation installer that is certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission. A list of certified installers can be found here.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector: State
Category: Financial Incentive
State: Illinois
Incentive Type: Grant Program
Web Site: https://www.illinois.gov/dceo/whyillinois/TargetIndustries/Energy/Pages/01aCommunitySolar.aspx
Administrator: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:
  • Solar Water Heat
  • Solar Thermal Electric
  • Solar Thermal Process Heat
  • Solar Photovoltaics
  • Wind (All)
Incentive Amount: Business Solar Thermal: 30% of project costs
Government and Nonprofit Solar Thermal: 40% of project costs
Business PV: $1.25/watt or 25% of project costs
Government and Nonprofit PV: $2.50/watt or 40% of project costs
Business Wind: $1.75/watt or 40% of project costs
Government and Nonprofit Wind: $2.60/watt or 40% of project costs
Maximum Incentive: $250,000
Equipment Requirements: PV, Solar Thermal, and Wind systems minimum cost: $100,000
Solar Thermal: Must be SRCC rated or equivalent
PV: Must be UL-listed or field tested
Wind: Must have site assessment

Incentives

This program has 7 incentives
Technologies: Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Photovoltaics, Wind (All)
Sectors: Commercial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Schools, State Government, Institutional
Parameters: The incentive has a minimum of $250000.00
Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat
Sectors: Commercial
Parameters: The incentive has a minimum of 30.00 % of cost
Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat
Sectors: Local Government, Nonprofit
Parameters: The incentive has a minimum of 40.00 % of cost
Technologies: Solar Photovoltaics
Sectors: Commercial
Parameters: The incentive has a minimum of 25.00 % of cost
Technologies: Solar Photovoltaics
Sectors: Local Government, Nonprofit
Parameters: The incentive has a minimum of 40.00 % of cost
Technologies: Wind (All)
Sectors: Commercial
Parameters: The incentive has a minimum of 40.00 % of cost
Technologies: Wind (All)
Sectors: Local Government, Nonprofit, State Government
Parameters: The incentive has a minimum of 40.00 % of cost

Contact

Name: Wayne Hartel
Organization: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Address: 620 East Adams Street
Springfield IL 62704
Phone: (217) 785-3420
Email: wayne.hartel@illinois.gov

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.