Illinois has a new energy law that will affect community solar. On January 8, 2026, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) into law as Public Act 104-0458. The law is not in effect yet.

This post explains what changes, what stays the same for now, and when updates start.

What CRGA is and when it starts

CRGA is a new Illinois energy law. It was signed on January 8, 2026, as Public Act 104-0458. The law takes effect on June 1, 2026.

Until June 1, current community solar program rules apply.

Bigger community solar projects starting June 1

CRGA raises the maximum size of a community solar project in Illinois to 10 megawatts. In the law, this is nameplate capacity less than or equal to 10,000 kilowatts. This change starts when the law takes effect on June 1, 2026.

Project size is the total capacity of a solar site. A higher cap can allow larger projects within a utility territory. It does not change how your bill shows solar credits.

Consumer protections and marketing oversight

CRGA directs the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) to make sure Illinois residents and businesses that use its programs are protected from deceptive or misleading marketing. The detailed consumer rules come through Illinois Shines program rules and approved disclosures, which the IPA updates.

That means the fine print will live in program documents and required forms. The law sets the goal. The program rules and disclosures explain how companies must present offers and information. We will watch for updates from the IPA and the Illinois Shines program.

A quick refresher on community solar in Illinois

In Illinois, community solar subscribers use a project in the same utility territory. The two large utilities in the program are ComEd and Ameren Illinois. Your utility applies solar credits from your subscribed project to cover part of your bill.

Here is how savings work. You pay less for the subscription than the solar credits are worth. The credits cover part of the bill, so any discount applies to the credits, not the whole bill. Actual savings depend on your state, your utility, and the project. For a plain-language overview, see our Community Solar 101 guide.

If you are new to Illinois community solar, you can also check the Illinois state page for basics, utility territory notes, and common terms.

Illinois programs that support community solar

Illinois Shines, also called the Adjustable Block Program, is a state program that provides an incentive for solar projects. Community solar projects participate in this program.

Illinois Solar for All has a community solar option for income-eligible households. If your household meets income guidelines, that option may fit your needs. The Illinois state page explains these programs at a high level and how they relate to community solar.

What stays the same for now

Because CRGA does not take effect until June 1, 2026, the current community solar rules remain in place today. That includes current program documents and disclosures under Illinois Shines. Current project size limits also remain in place until the new law takes effect.

If you are exploring a subscription this winter or spring, review the same basics you would today:

  • Your utility territory (ComEd or Ameren Illinois)
  • The project location and size under current rules
  • How your utility bill shows solar credits
  • The subscription price compared to expected credits

Our Community Solar 101 guide covers how credits appear and how billing usually works.

Timeline and what to watch next

Here are the key dates and touchpoints:

  • January 8, 2026: CRGA signed into law as Public Act 104-0458.
  • June 1, 2026: Law takes effect. The new 10 MW project size cap begins on this date.
  • Ongoing: Consumer protection details come through Illinois Shines program rules and approved disclosures, which the IPA updates.

As those materials are updated, they will guide how offers are presented and how information is shared with customers. If you want a quick place to find Illinois community solar basics, keep the Illinois state page handy.

Bottom line

CRGA is now law, and the most direct change for community solar starts June 1, 2026: the project size cap will be 10 MW. The law also reinforces that marketing must be fair and clear, with details set through Illinois Shines rules and disclosures. Until June 1, current rules and limits still apply. If you are considering community solar, review how credits work, your utility territory, and the program options available in Illinois today.