solar power Archives | Citizens Utility Board

CUB Q&A: Solar and EE tax credits are being phased out–so what now?

Jim Chilsen — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 18:39:05 +0000

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Considering solar? CUB encourages you to use Illinois Shines’ Homeowner Handout

Jim Chilsen — Mon, 12 May 2025 18:01:18 +0000

CUB encourages consumers to utilize the newly launched resource, Illinois Shines: Selecting a Solar Company: Green and Red Flags, to make informed decisions regarding going solar. This is the first handout in the Illinois Power Agency’s (IPA) Homeowner Handout Series, which is part of an expanding resource library designed to help consumers make informed, confident decisions about going solar with the IPA-administered Illinois Shines program. The launch of this important resource is part of the IPA’s broader consumer-protection commitment to educating consumers about the decision to go solar and providing resources to increase their knowledge. These resources are geared toward helping protect consumers against predatory and problematic vendor practices, including misleading marketing, contract confusion and financial risks. Consumer protection is a key pillar for Illinois Shines, helping ensure consumers have necessary information and safeguards when considering going solar or when approached by companies about going solar. The new Homeowner Handout offers guidance to evaluate Illinois Shines solar companies, compare offers using Disclosure Forms, and spot the red flags of misleading, deceptive, or pressurized practices. Upcoming Homeowner Handouts will cover solar loans, financing, and buying and selling a home with an existing solar project.

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Notice: Complaints about EverBright Solar

Jim Chilsen — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 18:37:03 +0000

CUB has received several complaints recently about a company called EverBright Solar going door-to-door across the state. The complaints include seniors who say they thought the 25-year lease was free when, in fact, it is not. (Some have told CUB they unknowingly signed up for an extremely expensive contract.) Because of strong energy policy, solar power is an excellent deal in Illinois. The state has solid residential solar programs (see Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All) and consumers have a lot of legitimate solar offers to choose from.(See CUB’s recent work in a solar group-buy program.) But consumer education makes Illinois’ market even stronger. The following are tips on how solar shoppers can protect themselves and find the deal that’s right for their individual households: Do some homework: Find out if the solar company you’re considering has a bad track record. Verify the company is registered with Illinois Shines, the state program that’s in charge of solar incentives and monitoring the market. Review the Illinois Shines complaint report to see if the company you’re considering is on there. Go to the Better Business Bureau: BBB.org. Ask the company for references. Consider 2-3 installers: If you think rooftop solar would be a good fit for you, call at least two solar installers in your area to get quotes for your project. Find residential solar installers near you by visiting the Illinois Solar Energy Association website: IllinoisSolar.org. (Tip: Use Illinois Shines Disclosure forms to make apples to apples comparisons.) Don’t make quick decisions. You don’t have to make a decision at your doorstep. Take the company’s literature and review the offer on your own time. If they keep pestering you, high-pressure sales tactics could be a red flag. File a complaint: If you believe you have been subject to fraudulent or deceptive sales practices, file a complaint with Illinois Shines, and you can also file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s office. Chicago: 1-800-386-5468 (TTY 1-800-964-3013) Springfield: 1-800-243-0618 (TTY 1-877-844-5461) Carbondale: 1-800-243-0607 (TTY 1-877-675-9339) Spanish: 1-866-310-8398 Reach out: Got questions about Solar? There are some great resources: IllinoisShines.com CUB’s Clean Energy Page, at CitizensUtilityBoard.org Illinois Solar Energy Association, at IllinoisSolar.org The Solar Energy Industries Association, at SEIA.org

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Tips from CUB: Use caution if a solar sales rep knocks on your door

Jim Chilsen — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 20:40:41 +0000

Solar is an excellent deal in Illinois, but that doesn’t mean every offer pitched to you is the right one for your home. CUB’s Scott Allen recently spoke to WGLT, the public radio station in the Bloomington-Normal area, to recommend that consumers use caution if a solar salesperson knocks on their door . Allen, CUB’s Renewable Energy Policy Coordinator, says the consumer watchdog has received multiple reports of problems with door-to-door solar sales representatives across the state. Those reports include people being pestered by solar pitches; consumers confused about claims of “free” solar panels; and, in the worst-case scenario, people complaining about scams that robbed them of thousands of dollars. The problem became such a concern that a social service nonprofit in southern Illinois requested that CUB create this poster for people to hang in their windows. Scott told WGLT that the rapidly expanding solar market has created plenty of well-paying jobs–but the boom has also attracted some disreputable players. “In a lot of cases, the people coming door-to-door are probably not really involved in the solar industry at all,” Allen told WGLT. “They were probably hired by someone tangential to the solar industry and they’re just going out and selling some kind of product.” The solar industry is aware of the need for standards. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the industry’s main trade group, is working on a set of transparency standards for solar companies to be recognized as SEIA certified installers. In the meantime, there are many ways to tell if a door-to-door pitch is legitimate. Scott offers some tips to help people navigate the solar market and protect themselves from scam artists. If somebody comes to your door… Ask for identification that proves employment with a solar company. Ask to see a copy of the Illinois Power Agency’s Consumer Protection Handbook for solar customers in Illinois (the program is called Illinois Shines). Any reputable sales rep will make that available. Don’t be forced to say “Yes” at your doorstep–high-pressure sales tactics are a red flag. Ask for the sales rep to leave information that you can read on your own time–a reputable salesperson is willing to do that. Don’t rely on one pitch. Get at least three quotes before making a final decision. Make sure to look into well-established, local installers. Remember, there is no such thing as “free” solar panels. When a sales rep claims to offer free panels, that means they are pushing a solar lease. A lease could be a decent deal for some families, but with all the incentives available now, there’s a good chance that buying the panels outright is your best option. CUB has written about this. Got a complaint about a solar company? Call (1-877-708-3456) or email (complaints@illinoisshines.com) Illinois Shines, the state’s solar program. You also can call the Illinois Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Fraud: 1-800-243-0618 For more information about solar power and making the best choices, check out CUB’s Clean Energy Page, including our Introduction to Rooftop factsheet. Also, learn more about Illinois Solar for All, the program making solar more accessible to income-qualified consumers. Finally, remember […]

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Solar Landscape: CUB’s evaluation of Solar Landscape’s community solar offer

Elizabeth — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 21:09:55 +0000

This is an evaluation of Solar Landscape’s community solar offering. If you are not already familiar with community solar, we recommend reading CUB’s Introduction to Community Solar first. How will signing up for the Solar Landscape community solar offer affect my electric bill? Solar Landscape will look at your annual electricity usage history to determine your community solar subscription size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Once your subscription is activated, each month, your subscription will produce solar energy, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The supply section of your electric utility bill will be credited for what your subscription produced that month. Solar Landscape offers consolidated billing, meaning they are able to charge you for those solar credits right on your electric bill, but with a 20% discount applied. So, rather than paying your electric utility for that clean energy you are paying Solar Landscape, at a discounted rate. Example: Say you are currently paying your electric utility 10 cents/kWh. Through Solar Landscape’s community solar, you will be paying 8 cents/kWh (20% discount on the supply) for any electricity produced by the farm. Your subscription size is designed to provide credits for your full electricity usage for the year, though there will be changes in your subscription’s energy production from month to month. For example, your subscription will produce less in winter, but more in summer, and your credits from the summer will rollover to help cover your electricity usage in winter. What about alternative suppliers? All customers, regardless of their alternative electricity supplier, can now receive solar bill credits as part of a community solar program. Learn more about alternative suppliers for consumers in ComEd territory and Ameren territory. What does CUB think about this offer? Community solar allows more Illinois consumers to access the benefits of clean energy, and CUB is pleased to see more offers hit the market. This offer includes a 20% savings discount, which is on the higher end of the range. It also offers consolidated billing, meaning everything will be on the ComEd bill. We recommend comparing multiple offers and reading your contract thoroughly before signing up. We have also heard reports of door-to-door marketing. We recommend accepting marketing materials so that you can do more research later, rather than signing up at the door. This chart summarizes key points about the deal: What utility territory does the company serve? ComEd. Does the company offer savings? Yes, 20% supply savings. Is there a credit check when I sign up? No. What is the contract term? 5 years with 2-year auto renewal Is there an “exit fee” for leaving the contract early? None. What are my billing options? Consolidated Billing. How do I contact them? help@solarlandscape-support.com (888) 595-3990 * Your payment is equal to the value of bill credits, assuming the default electricity supply charge with your utility, minus your discount percentage. When will my subscription go live? When will I start to see credits on my utility bill? You should only be charged by your community solar company once you start receiving utility bill credits. When that is depends on when your subscribed community solar project is interconnected to […]

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Solar Simplified: CUB’s evaluation of Solar Simplified IL Solar for All community solar offer

Elizabeth — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 20:32:23 +0000

Solar Simplified is a community solar company offering subscriptions to income-eligible Ameren customers, through the Solar for All program. If you are not already familiar with community solar, we recommend reading CUB’s Introduction to Community Solar first. Learn more about Solar for All. How will signing up for the Solar Simplified community solar offer affect my electric bill? Solar Simplified will look at your annual electricity usage history to determine your community solar subscription size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Once your subscription is activated, each month, your subscription will produce solar energy, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The supply section of your electric utility bill will be credited for what your subscription produced that month. Solar Simplified offers consolidated billing, meaning they are able to charge you for those solar credits right on your electric bill, but with a 50% discount applied. So, rather than paying your electric utility for that clean energy you are paying Solar Simplified, at a discounted rate. Example: Say you are currently paying your electric utility 10 cents/kWh. Through Solar Simplified community solar, you will be paying 5 cents/kWh (50% discount on the supply) for any electricity produced by the farm. Your subscription size is designed to provide credits for your full electricity usage for the year, though there will be changes in your subscription’s energy production from month to month. For example, your subscription will produce less in winter, but more in summer, and your credits from the summer will rollover to help cover your electricity usage in winter. What about alternative suppliers? All customers, regardless of their alternative electricity supplier, can now receive solar bill credits as part of a community solar program. Learn more about alternative suppliers for consumers in ComEd territory and Ameren territory. What does CUB think about this offer? Community solar allows more Illinois consumers to access the benefits of clean energy, and CUB is pleased to see more offers hit the market. Solar Simplified specifically offers deals through Solar for All. Solar for All is Illinois’ income-eligible solar program. Use this tool to see if you qualify. This chart summarizes key points about the deal: What utility territory does the company serve? Ameren. Does the company offer savings? Yes, 50%. Is there a credit check when I sign up? TBC What is the contract term? TBC Is there an “exit fee” for leaving the contract early? None. What are my billing options? Consolidated Billing. How do I contact them? (888) 420-9831, cs@solarsimplified.com *Your payment is equal to the value of bill credits, assuming the default electricity supply charge with your utility, minus your discount percentage. When will my subscription go live? When will I start to see credits on my utility bill? You should only be charged by your community solar company once you start receiving utility bill credits. When that is depends on when your subscribed community solar project is interconnected to the utility grid. You can find the month the company expects your subscription to go live in the “Subscription Specifications” section of the Standard Disclosure Form provided to you (if you weren’t provided a Standard Disclosure Form, that’s a problem […]

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News release: CUB, Chicagoland counties partner to offer “Solar Switch” program to secure rooftop solar discounts, lower power bills for participants

Jim Chilsen — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 16:43:33 +0000

The consumer watchdog Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is working with five Chicagoland counties, renewable energy advocates and solar professionals to offer a program that can help homeowners install solar panels at a significant discount and reduce their electric bills by hundreds of dollars, CUB announced Thursday. The Solar Switch program is a partnership among Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will Counties, along with the nonprofits CUB and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). The program is managed by iChoosr, a company that administers similar solar programs around the world. Solar Switch is a “group-buy” program, which means it secures volume discounts for quality solar installations, based on how many residents of those five counties, along with residents of Kendall and McHenry counties, participate. The program selects installers through a competitive vetting process and then runs a reverse-auction to secure a low base-price. “As a consumer advocate, CUB wants to educate consumers and empower them to cut their utility bills, and the Solar Switch program does both,” said Marina Minic, CUB’s Solar Programs Coordinator. “The program gives consumers an introduction to the benefits of solar power, and it then connects interested participants to qualified, vetted and affordable solar installers.” Minic said legislation, such as Illinois’ 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) and the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, offer multiple incentives that can cover around 60 percent of installation costs. That’s on top of volume discounts the Solar Switch program offers. Once installed, solar panels have the potential to save customers hundreds of dollars a year on their electric bills. Here’s how the Solar Switch program works: Chicagoland residents are invited to register for the program at solarswitch.com/Chicagoland. There, residents can fill out a questionnaire to see if their roof is suitable for solar. (The final deadline to sign up is Sept. 10, 2024.) Registrants will also have access to free, educational webinars. In June, iChoosr organized a reverse auction–a process in which the traditional auction roles of buyer and seller are reversed. That means for each auction there is one buyer (a household or small business) and iChoosr invited qualified, pre-vetted solar providers to compete to offer the lowest bid and win the participant’s business. Registrants receive a personal recommendation, after which qualified installers will conduct remote and onsite roof assessments with those who accept an offer. Participants who review and approve their final quote will then schedule the installation. CUB, MREA and the counties have been involved in a similar group-buy program since 2019, helping more than 600 properties go solar, and educating more than 3,000 consumers about the science and benefits of solar. Residents who participate are expected to save an average of about $4,600 on a typical-sized solar installation, not counting the additional benefits of the federal and state tax credits. The Solar Switch program provides an excellent opportunity for Chicagoland residents to take advantage of these savings and make the switch to renewable energy. Register for free, educational webinars without obligation at solarswitch.com/Chicagoland. Consumers with questions should email hello@solarswitch.com.

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CUB, MREA, Chicagoland counties partner to offer deep discounts on solar panels, future savings on power bills

Jim Chilsen — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 16:00:50 +0000

A unique partnership among five Chicagoland counties, nonprofit advocates and expert solar professionals will educate consumers on how they can install solar panels at some of the deepest discounts in the state, CUB said Monday as the program launched. The Solar Switch program, formerly called Grow Solar Chicagoland, is a partnership among Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will counties, along with nonprofits CUB and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), and iChoosr, a company of solar experts who manage similar programs around the world. Solar Switch is a “group-buy” program, which means it secures volume discounts for quality solar installations, based on the number of participants from those five counties, along with participants in Kendall and McHenry counties. The program runs a reverse-auction process that vets quality installers to serve participants. “Thanks to strong state and federal policy, there has never been a better time to go solar–and Solar Switch makes it an even better deal in the Chicago region,” said Marina Minic, Solar Programs Coordinator at CUB. “As a watchdog we are concerned about education and consumer protections, and that’s why we’re proud of this program. Solar Switch gives consumers an introduction to solar power, and it offers a safe and reliable process to connect interested participants with qualified, vetted and affordable solar installers.” Minic said legislation, such as Illinois’ 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), and the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, offer multiple incentives that can cover up to 70 percent of installation costs. That’s on top of volume discounts the Solar Switch program offers. Solar has the potential to save customers hundreds of dollars a year on their electric bills. It is vital that affordable solar is an option for Illinois consumers who have been battered by high energy prices and now face a state-record $1.5 billion rate-hike request from Commonwealth Edison, the electric utility for northern Illinois. “The last two years of unpredictable energy prices are causing many to consider ways to lower their utility bills, and solar is a great option,” said Taylor Ball, Solar Program Manager for the MREA. “Our program helps community members learn if solar is right for them, with guidance from experts on every step of their solar journey.” Here’s how the program works: Chicagoland consumers are invited to register for free, educational webinars without obligation at solarswitch.com/Chicagoland. iChoosr will organize a July 5 reverse auction–a process in which the traditional auction roles of buyer and seller are reversed. That means for each auction there is one buyer (a household or small business) and iChoosr invites qualified, pre-vetted providers to compete to offer the lowest bid and win the participant’s business. Registrants receive a personal recommendation by August 8, after which qualified installers will conduct remote and onsite roof assessments with those who accept an offer. The deadline to approve personal recommendations is Sept. 13. Participants have a chance to review and approve their final quote, and if they want to go forward, they will then schedule the installation. All installations will be completed by February 2024. The more people who register by the auction date, July 5, […]

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Solar group buy program helps 76 properties go solar ($71,000 in potential first-year savings)

Jim Chilsen — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 03:36:50 +0000

A special program that CUB works on ended 2022 with 76 properties contracted to install solar panels in the coming months–a potential total savings of more than $71,000 for participants in the first year alone. After a year of elevated global energy costs, these Chicago-area residents are moving toward renewable energy and securing affordable electricity for years to come. Grow Solar Chicagoland, an initiative of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) and CUB, helps make navigating the solar market easier and more affordable. The program uses the power of bulk purchasing to secure a lower base price for solar panels, and includes a rebate that gets larger as more participants are added. This means that by sharing the program with family and friends, participants can turn grassroots interest into savings on their new solar arrays. This year the program surpassed two benchmarks, providing a discount of over $600 in addition to federal and state rebates.The program is expected to save all participants $71,297 in the first year alone, or an average of $950 per household (depending on usage and system size). Returning to Chicagoland after a hiatus in 2021, this year’s program kicked off in May and provided free, one-hour long educational sessions for members of the public. The program hosted 48 in-person and virtual presentations called “Solar Power Hours” and educated over 1,150 community members about solar energy. “We’re trying to simplify the process of going solar,” said Marta Monti, MREA Solar Program Director. “It can seem complicated, so we present clear information and answer folks’ questions at our Solar Power Hours, and then they can determine for themselves whether solar is right for them.” Program participant Abigail Austin and her husband began thinking about solar energy after a friend installed panels, so they attended a Grow Solar info session. “When we learned more about solar and about the incentives, including the solar group buy program, [we decided] adding solar panels to our home was affordable and money well spent,” Austin said. “Sitting through the initial webinar with Grow Solar Chicagoland was great because it was a no-pressure, easy-to-understand look at adding solar panels to our home.” Rising energy prices and the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in August may have increased interest in solar energy and the group buy program. The IRA extended the existing solar federal tax credit for 10 more years and raised the credit amount to 30% of the array’s cost. “In an uncertain world, solar power provides a level of stability, since you’re essentially buying decades of your energy up-front,” said Jeff Schneider, program coordinator for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. “Unlike utilities, solar panels will never raise their rates. So by purchasing solar now, community members can protect themselves from future price hikes, which feels especially satisfying amid global inflation.” Since 2019, Grow Solar Chicagoland has helped 282 properties go solar and has taught more than 2,000 Solar Power Hour attendees about the science and benefits of solar. In addition to the money saved on energy bills, the solar arrays installed through the program offset a significant amount of CO2 pollution […]

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Solstice: CUB’s evaluation of Solstice’s community solar offer

Hannah — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 19:06:30 +0000

Solstice offers both market rate and income-eligible community solar deals. If you are not already familiar with community solar, we recommend reading CUB’s Introduction to Community Solar first. Learn more about Solar for All. How will signing up for the Solstice community solar offer affect my electric bill? Solstice will look at your annual electricity usage history to determine your community solar subscription size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Once your subscription is activated, each month, your subscription will produce solar energy, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The supply section of your electric utility bill will be credited for what your subscription produced that month. Then, Solstice will charge you for those credits in a separate solar bill, but with a 20-60% discount applied. So, rather than paying your electric utility for that clean energy you are paying Solstice, at a discounted rate. Even though you are now receiving two bills, you should be saving money overall. Example: Say you are currently paying your electric utility 10 cents/kWh. Through Solstice community solar, you will be paying 5 cents/kWh (50% discount on the supply) for any electricity produced by the farm. Solstice works within IL Shines, the market rate program, and Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA), the income-eligible program. The discount rate you receive will depend on your income. If you are subscribed to a newer ILSFA farm, you may receive consolidated billing, meaning everything will show up on your utility bill. Your subscription size is designed to provide credits for your full electricity usage for the year, though there will be changes in your subscription’s energy production from month to month. For example, your subscription will produce less in winter, but more in summer, and your credits from the summer will rollover to help cover your electricity usage in winter. What about alternative suppliers? All customers, regardless of their alternative electricity supplier, can now receive solar bill credits as part of a community solar program. Learn more about alternative suppliers for consumers in ComEd territory and Ameren territory. What does CUB think about this offer? Community solar allows more Illinois consumers to access the benefits of clean energy, and CUB is pleased to see more offers hit the market. Solstice offers at least a 20% discount rate, which is on the higher end of the range. They also offer farms through ILSFA. You can find out which discount rate you would qualify for at Solstice’s website. We recommend comparing multiple offers and reading your contract thoroughly before signing up. This chart summarizes key points about the Solstice deal: What utility territory does the company serve? Ameren and ComEd. Does the company offer savings? Yes. Solstice offers 20-60% savings, depending on eligibility. Is there a credit check when I sign up? Yes, with some offers. Make sure to confirm when signing up. What is the contract term? 15-20 years, depending on the program. Is there an “exit fee” for leaving the contract early? None (Solstice requires 90 days’ written notice) What are my billing options? Utility Consolidated Billing or Dual Bill with Autopay, depending on the project. *Your payment is equal to the value […]

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