Renewable energy policy advocates in Illinois have been very busy for the last several years and it shows. The state has a three year old renewable portfolio standard. And thanks to efforts at the 2010 state legislature, that renewable portfolio standard now requires a percentage of the renewable energy to come from photovoltaics. Starting in 2012 the state utilities will need about 40 MWs of new solar energy to meet the solar target. That amount increases to 100, 180 and the 370 MWs in the subsequent three years. Illinois will soon be the leader of solar capacity in the Midwest and in the top ten nation wide.

Getting the state solar industry up and booming still needs a few more steps.  For the rooftop solar market, a program of solar incentives needs creation.  And for the larger sized wholesale solar market, the centralized state energy procurement has to set up a program that attracts solar builders.

Also set to be fixed is the measly 40kW net metering limit the state has in place.  For the second year running, a bill has been introduced to increase allowable solar project size.  Energy politics will decide if that bill becomes state law.

We’re planning to pull all the Illinois solar enthusiasts out of the woodwork to help make it a hot new solar market.  Just know- solar is no longer just the stuff of deserts and palm trees, PV now has its place among silos and cornfields.

Contact Claudia Eyzaguirre at claudia@votesolar.org with questions.

Midwest Solar Policy Webinar 4-8-2010

Hosted by Clean Power Finance, this webinar features Claudia Eyzaguirre discussing the Midwestern solar policy landscape. Thanks to new renewable energy targets, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan are poised for tremendous solar growth. Listen in as Claudia explores the opportunities and remaining policy hurdles facing these emerging solar markets.

Vote Solar & CPF Webinar II: Midwest Policy Update from Vote Solar on Vimeo.

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