Illinois has not enacted any statewide requirements for interconnection of renewable energy systems, other than standards established under the federal PURPA law. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has studied the interconnection issue internally, but no formal policies or orders have been developed.

Individual utility rules that have been set in place to address the interconnection of small-scale DG are outlined in "The DG Book: Guidelines for Interconnection of Distributed Generation to the ComEd System (2001)." (This is not to be confused with ComEd’s "Blue Book," which outlines rules and procedures for interconnecting large systems to the ComEd grid at the transmission level.)

Commonwealth Edison’s net metering agreement specifies that generating facilities must use an inverter listed per Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1741. It also requires systems over 25 kilowatts to be inspected and tested by ComEd to its satisfaction.   For more information on ComEd interconnection, contact:

Raquel Pickett
Exelon Corporation
ComEd Energy Delivery
Two Lincoln Centre
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Phone: (630) 437-2766
Fax: (630) 437-2309
E-Mail: raquel.pickett@exeloncorp.com   

Commonwealth Edison has developed a relatively simple, user-friendly, five-page interconnection agreement for customers participating in its net metering program. Wind system-owning customers of other utilities are likely to be subject to a utility’s existing interconnection requirements for "qualifying facilities" under the federal PURPA law.

Clean Energy Community Foundation Grants

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF), is an independent, nonprofit authorized by the Illinois legislature.  Its board of directors is appointed primarily by state government officials. The ICECF invests in clean energy development and land preservation efforts to improve environmental quality in the state. The ICECF supports programs and projects that will improve energy efficiency, develop renewable energy resources, and preserve and enhance natural areas throughout Illinois.

The ICECF provides funding to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and state and local government agencies serving Illinois residents. The ICECF provides financial support through; grantmaking, partnerships with public agencies, and direct (large-scale, high-impact) projects.  For more information, see the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation website.

Special Assessment for Renewable Energy Systems
This statute provides a special assessment of solar energy, wind, and geothermal systems for property tax purposes. These systems are valued at no more than a conventional energy system. For more information see Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Renewable Energy Resources Program (RERP) Grants
This program is funded by the Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund, the state's public benefits fund, and administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA). RERP distributes funds in the form of grants (for large systems) and rebates (for small systems). The grant program was restructured in 2003 and now involves an annual RFP process. The maximum grant amounts available for wind, 5 kW - 200 kW: 50%, with a maximum of $2.00/watt and $50,000 for wind, 201 kW - 2 MW: 30%, with a maximum grant of $500,000  For more information see the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.  Details can also be found at Windustry.

Renewable Energy Resources Program (RERP) Rebates
The Renewable Energy Resources Program (RERP) rebate program states that small wind energy systems with a maximum capacity of 7.5 kW may be eligible for funding in 2004. Contact the DCCA for more information on RERP rebates for wind energy systems.

Eligible applicants include associations, individuals, private companies, public and private schools, colleges and universities, not-for-profit organizations, and units of state and local government. Potential recipients for program funding must be located within the service area of an investor-owned or a municipal gas or electric utility or an electric cooperative that imposes the Renewable Energy Resources and Coal Technology Development Assistance Charge.

Complete guidelines and application materials are available from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund
Through its 1997 electric utility restructuring law, the Illinois legislature created the Illinois Public Benefit Program. The overall program funds low-income rate assistance and weatherization, the Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund (above), and the Energy Efficiency Program. These programs are cited within the law under the short title, "Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Coal Resources Development Law of 1997."

The Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund is collected via a $0.50 per month for residential and small commercial electric and gas customers; and via a $37.50 per month for large commercial electric customers having a peak electric demand greater than 10 MW.

Revenue from this fund is expected to amount to approximately $100 million per year over 10 years. Of this money, 50% goes toward the Renewable Energy Resources Trust, and the remaining 50% goes to the Coal Technology Development Assistance Fund. Moneys for the Coal Fund are distributed according to the Illinois Coal Technology Development Assistance Act.  For more information contact the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Pike County - Expedited Wind Turbine Siting
In May 2004 the Pike County Zoning Board approved an ordinance to expedite the process of siting wind turbines. The ordinance includes specifications regarding planning, construction, "setbacks," and height and noise requirements for wind projects. This ordinance was passed to let wind energy developers know Pike County's construction standards up front.

The ordinance specifies a "setback" of three times the turbine height (the height of the tower plus the length of one blade), referred to as "3 T," from homes. However, turbines sited on a landowner's property may be as close as 1.1 T if the landowner consents. There is also a minimum setback of 1.1 T from the nearest property line. Wiring for turbines must be buried. Contact the office of Public Information of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

Renewables Portfolio Goal
In June 2001, Illinois enacted legislation creating the Illinois Resource Development and Energy Security Act. The legislation adopted a statewide renewable energy goal of at least 5% of total energy by 2010, and at least 15% by 2020. However, the legislation does not include an implementation schedule, compliance verification, or credit trading provisions.

This Illinois Resource Development and Energy Security Act also authorizes up to $500 million of new state revenue bonding to support the development of technologies for wind, biomass and solar power in Illinois. For more information, contact the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The US Department of Energy has produced wind resource maps for each state. The map for Illinois can be found here. You may also find the definitions of Wind Power Classes for the maps helpful.

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network has also collected wind resource data for Illinois.

There is additional information in the Wind Energy Atlas of the United States, where you can review maps for other locations in the US or get more information about how the maps were created.

You may also find useful information at the web site for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

The American Wind Energy Association maintains a list of wind turbine manufacturers. For a list of wind turbine installers in your area, please contact the manufacturers.

We suggest that you contact your local utility and request information on their interconnection policies. If you are a ComEd customer, please contact:

Denise A. Bechen
ComEd's Wind and Photovoltaic Generation Pricing Experiment
Energy Delivery Operations Center
Technical Services, 2nd Floor (02-NE-025)
Three Lincoln Centre
Oakbrook Terrace, IL  60181-4260
(630) 576-6783
Fax: (630) 576-6353 
Denise.Bechen@exeloncorp.com  

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs maintains a web site explaining its renewable energy programs.

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network maintains a list of state contacts.

The Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest (ELPC) is a Midwest public interest environmental advocacy organization working to achieve cleaner energy resources and to implement sustainable energy strategies.

The goal of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is to work as a regional network of organizations to develop, design and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy resources in the rapidly-changing Midwest energy markets. The goals are to increase public value, improve environmental quality, lower energy costs, and promote sustainable economic development.

The Illinois Legislature formed the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) in 1983 to serve as a voice for residential and small business utility ratepayers. CUB is a non-partisan, non-profit statewide organization, funded primarily by Illinois consumers, supplemented by grants from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. Though created by the state, CUB receives no state tax dollars.

The Illinois Renewable Energy Association (IREA) supports sustainable energy development in Illinois. IREA provides hands-on opportunities for the Illinois public to learn about the benefits, potentials, and uses of renewable energy and energy-efficiency for homes and businesses.

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