This article provides a clear, state-by-state breakdown of all requirements and links involved in the solar installation process, covering every requirement from M0 to M1 through M2 for Illinois. It outlines the documentation, approvals, and compliance steps that installers and sales teams must follow to ensure each project meets state-specific regulations. Designed as a practical guide, it helps teams quickly understand what’s required in each state to keep projects compliant and moving efficiently.
State | Utilities | Min. Production Factor for Sales (Y1 Prod / DC kW) |
Illinois |
| 550 |
The Illinois Shines / ABP Program has strict compliance requirements. Selling in Illinois demands diligence on the part of all Certified Installers to ensure strict adherence to all compliance requirements in order to maintain selling eligibility with LightReach. There are two compliance processes, detailed below, applicable to all Certified Installers prior to operating in the state.
*See link for all details
Illinois homeowners have a variety of Programs available designed to incentivize the deployment of renewable technologies. The Climate & Equitable Jobs Act (“CEJA”), passed in 2021 by the Illinois legislature, required ComEd & Ameren to establish rebates for qualifying solar energy and energy storage devices. There are currently three active incentive programs for ComEd and Ameren customers.
To be eligible for the Energy Storage Rebate:
Applicant must be a ComEd or Ameren electric customer
Agree to abide by all Program Terms & Conditions for the life of the system
Energy Storage System must be coupled with a qualifying solar system (ie. standalone storage is not eligible)
System must be installed in accordance with all state codes & standards
Applicant is required to take their utility supply service under a time varying or ‘time of use’ rate and remain on a qualifying rate for the life of the Energy Storage System.
*See link for all details
The Minimum Equity Standard (MES) is a compliance requirement under the Illinois Shines Program intended to help historically underserved communities participate in and benefit from the growing clean energy economy in Illinois. The MES originated as a provision in the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) of 2021 and went into effect on June 1, 2023 ahead of the 2023/ 2024 Program Year.
*See link for all details
State(s) | Snow Loss (Only use if design platform does not have a total value) | Minimum System Loss without Shade Loss (Includes Snow Loss) |
| 4% | 12.3% |
Lightreach has recommendations for the Battery settings based on a variety of factors; contract type, location, utility rate plan options and net metering policy, system design/configuration, etc.
Recommended battery operation mode varies by home. Some homes are not incentivized to use stored energy except during outages (e.g. 1:1 NEM with non-TOU markets) where Backup Power is desirable. California NEM 3 has customized TOU and AI Optimization modes and rate plans. While utilities with low export credits can optimize utility bill savings with Self-Consumption modes as in Illinois.
*See link for all details
System Pre-Requisites by State:
State | Pre-Requisite |
IL | IL Shines / ABP Incentives
Click for Full Details
DG Rebate
|
M1 Documents: Submission Requirements
State | Document 1 | Document 2 |
IL | Utility Bill
| Illinois Shines Disclosure Forms (2x)
|
Requirements by State:
State | Document 1 | Document 2 |
Illinois
| COC/PTO Ameren - Ameren - PTO ComEd - ComEd - COC | Net Metering Approval Ameren - Ameren - NM ComEd - ComEd - NM |
*IL - Ameren PTO letter will be the same document as the net metering approval document*