Trust is the only thing we sell. So we want you to know exactly how we make money, who we work with, and what we are — and aren't.
How we are compensated
Our advisory service is free for homeowners. We are compensated through a flat referral fee paid by the installer you ultimately choose to work with. This fee is the same regardless of:
- The size of your solar system
- The brand of panels, inverters, or batteries used
- The financing structure (PPA, prepaid PPA, loan, or cash)
- The total cost of your project
This flat-fee structure exists specifically to keep us neutral. We have no financial incentive to push you toward a bigger system, more expensive equipment, or any particular installer. We earn the same whether you go with a $15,000 system or a $50,000 one — or whether you decide solar isn't right for you at all.
Our relationship with installers
We work with a network of solar installers across Illinois. Every installer in our network is:
- An Illinois Shines Approved Vendor, meaning they've passed the Illinois Power Agency's consumer protection vetting
- Properly licensed and insured to perform solar installations in Illinois
- Reviewed by us for warranty quality, customer outcomes, financial stability, and responsiveness
We do not exclusively work with any single installer. We typically collect bids from three or more installers for each homeowner project, allowing genuine competition for your business.
We reserve the right to remove any installer from our network at any time if they fail to meet our standards, and we will do so without notice if we believe consumer interests are at risk.
What we are not
To avoid confusion, we want to be explicit about what the Illinois Clean Energy Association is not:
- We are not a government agency. We are not part of the Illinois Power Agency, the Illinois Shines program, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, or any other state or federal body. We are an independent organization.
- We are not a solar installer. We do not own, lease, or operate any solar equipment. We do not perform installations. Equipment, warranties, and post-installation service all come from the installer you select.
- We are not a financial advisor. We can help you understand the financial structures available to you, but our information is general. For tax-specific or investment-specific advice for your individual situation, please consult a qualified financial or tax professional.
- We are not a lender. If you finance your solar project with a loan, that loan comes from a third-party lender, not from us. We can help you understand loan terms but the contract is between you and the lender.
Estimated savings and system performance
Any savings estimates, payback calculations, or system production figures we provide are based on:
- Current utility rates and incentive program values
- Industry-standard production modeling for your geographic area and roof orientation
- The specific system design proposed by your selected installer
These are estimates, not guarantees. Actual outcomes will be affected by weather, equipment performance, future utility rate changes, future incentive program changes, your household energy use, and other factors. We provide our best honest projections, but the future is uncertain and you should treat any specific dollar figures as informed estimates rather than promises.
Incentive program changes
The federal residential clean energy tax credit (Section 25D of the Internal Revenue Code) ended on January 1, 2026, as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed in July 2025. Homeowners who purchase solar systems with cash or a loan in 2026 or later cannot claim the residential federal credit.
The commercial investment tax credit (Section 48E) remains available to third-party owners of residential solar systems through systems placed in service by certain deadlines. This is the mechanism by which PPA and prepaid PPA providers can pass federal incentive value through to homeowners as lower rates.
The Illinois Shines program (Adjustable Block Program) continues to provide Renewable Energy Credit payments to participating solar projects. Program rules, REC pricing, and capacity allocations are set by the Illinois Power Agency and may change over time.
We do our best to keep our explanations of these programs current, but program rules can change with little notice. We recommend confirming current incentive details with official sources (linked on our home page) before making final decisions.
Testimonials and reviews
Any customer testimonials displayed on our website are from real ILCEA customers who have agreed in writing to share their experience. Identifying details (such as last name or exact address) may be omitted to protect customer privacy. Testimonials reflect the individual customer's experience and are not a guarantee of similar results for other customers.
Contact
If you have questions about any of these disclosures, or if you'd like more detailed information about how we operate, please contact us:
Illinois Clean Energy Association
Email: hello@illinoiscleanenergy.org
Phone: (309) 225-8899
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm Central