Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) is a trusted state program that ensures income-eligible residents, non-profit organizations, and public facilities in environmental justice communities save money on their electric bills. Created by the State of Illinois, this program removes traditional barriers to clean energy by offering no or low upfront costs and guaranteeing long-term savings. StraightUp Solar is an Approved Vendor-designee for Illinois Solar for All with a proven track record of successful ILSFA installations for community-based organizations. We provide local expertise and technical care required to help our neighbors transition to solar with confidence.
Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA), established by the Future Energy Jobs Act in 2016 and expanded by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021, helps make solar installations more affordable for income-eligible households and organizations located in income-eligible and environmental justice communities throughout Illinois. Projects for homeowners, residents of income-eligible properties, facilities for non-profit organizations, public facilities, and religious institutions are eligible for program incentives. With state and utility funding, the program pays incentives to solar companies who pass the cost savings to participants.
Illinois Solar for All is administered by Elevate Energy on behalf of the Illinois Power Agency, an independent state government agency.
New federal incentive deadlines are quickly approaching for commercial projects. Now is the best time to maximize solar savings. Watch our webinar recording Illinois Solar for All 2025 Update to learn more.
Don’t wait—find out how much you can save with a free assessment.
For organizations that serve as the heart of our community—including houses of worship, food pantries, senior centers, hospitals, and libraries—solar energy is more than an environmental choice; it is a strategic financial decision. As “Critical Service Providers,” these organizations can leverage the specialized Non-Profit and Public Facilities sub-program of ILSFA to stabilize their long-term operating budgets and protect against rising utility rates. By reducing monthly overhead with solar, your organization can redirect vital funds back into your mission and the people you serve.
The ILSFA program ensures that ongoing costs for on-site solar will not exceed 50% of the value of the energy produced.
With state and utility funding, the program pays incentives to solar companies and passes the cost savings to participants.
In addition to ILSFA incentives, tax-exempt and government entities can now receive the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit as a direct cash refund through Direct Pay .
To ensure a transparent and positive experience, vetted installers must follow consumer protection requirements from the program that protect participants against unsafe or unfair business practices. As an Approved Vendor-designee for Illinois Solar for All, StraightUp Solar is held to these high standards of transparency, contract clarity, and technical excellence.
We have a proven track record of bringing ILSFA projects to light for houses of worship, public facilities, and non-profit organizations across Illinois, including in Peoria, Normal, and East St. Louis. For each project, you will receive a standard Disclosure Form and Program Brochure so you can review guaranteed savings and contract terms before you sign.
StraightUp Solar can assist businesses, non-profit organizations, and religious institutions to determine program eligibility based on property location and the organization’s services. We offer power purchase agreements, leases, and financing options for outright purchase of your solar PV system.
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This 35kW solar array, installed in 2021, produces 41,000 kWh of solar energy for the health center’s buildings, offsetting 35% of their power. The array avoids 28.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) from being released in the atmosphere, improving the health of the community. Funding was provided by the StraightUp Solar Legacy Fund and Illinois Solar for All state program.
*All scenarios are unique, your experience may differ.
StraightUp Solar installed a 294 kW rooftop array for the Normal Township Activity & Recreation Center, marking the first and largest Illinois Solar for All project in McLean County. This custom solution is designed to offset 90% of the facility’s annual energy usage, with estimated savings of $1,000,000 over the system’s 25-year lifespan.
*All scenarios are unique, your experience may differ.
In 2021, StraightUp Solar installed a 110 kW roof-mounted system for the Chillicothe Public Library, designed to offset 58% of their annual electricity usage. This strategic decision to support solar energy is estimated to save the library $438,000 in power costs over the next 25 years.
*All scenarios are unique, your experience may differ.
This church’s 35kW solar PV system will produce 90% of their power, providing an estimated 57% reduction in their electricity bills. Project funding was made possible through the Illinois Solar for All program and a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the StraightUp Solar Legacy Fund. With lower electricity bills, now Bond Avenue Church can focus on what’s really important, their East St. Louis, Illinois community.
*All scenarios are unique, your experience may differ.
In 2020, this East St. Louis, IL church installed a 23.1 kW solar PV system on their fellowship hall. The system will produce nearly 30,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy each year, which is estimated to provide a 54% reduction ($36,000 annually) in their energy bills. The installation was made possible by the Illinois Solar for All program and through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) from the StraightUp Solar Legacy Fund.
*All scenarios are unique, your experience may differ.
In support of our CLEARE Values and Certified B Corp status, StraightUp Solar proudly hired individuals from the Illinois Solar for All training programs and actively participates in the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) workforce and contractor training programs to help Illinois residents prepare for clean energy jobs.
These programs train individuals in communities that historically faced economic and environmental barriers, bolstering a diverse workforce in the clean energy industry.
Our 74.9kW solar PV system installation at Heaven View Christian Fellowship in Peoria, included graduates of the Solar Pipeline Training Program. This program, a partnership between Community Transformation Partnership, Jobs Partnership Peoria, Tri-County Urban League and Illinois Central College, provided hands-on training for future solar installers. Our crews come from equity investment-eligible communities and we actively recruit in those communities. In addition, we recruit formerly incarcerated individuals, graduates or current members of the foster care system, or former energy workers. We are here to get you started on your clean energy career path.
The program is structured so that state incentives cover the installation, requiring no upfront capital for most participants.
ILSFA has built-in protections, including required standard disclosure forms, vetted vendor requirements, and a formal complaint process to ensure fair business practices.
StraightUp Solar first became Certified as a Benefit Corporation (B Corp) in 2015. Unique in the business world, B Corps commit to high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
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