Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program
Community Solar Grant Program
CSFA Number: 420-35-3055
STATE AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency Name
Department Of Commerce And Economic Opportunity (420)
Agency Contact
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Short Description
The Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program will support pre-development and development of community solar projects that promote community ownership and energy sovereignty. Grants will be awarded to applicants that best demonstrate the ability and intent to create community ownership and other local community benefits including: • local community wealth building via community renewable generation projects. • Grants shall be prioritized to applicants for whom o the proposed project is located in and supporting an equity investment eligible community or communities; and on proposed project provides additional benefits for participating low-income households.
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
PA 102-0662, Section 5-60
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
N/A
Objective
Grants are intended to overcome barriers to community ownership of solar energy projects by providing up-front access to capital to support the development of projects, businesses, community organizations, and jobs creating opportunity for historically disadvantaged populations.
Eligible Applicants
Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Individuals; Small Businesses;
Applicant Eligibility
Applicant must be Equity eligible contractors per the equity accountability systems described in subsection (c-10) of Section 1-75 of the Illinois Power Agency Act, or meet the equity building criteria in paragraph (9.5) of subsection (g) of Section 8-103B of the Public Utilities Act
Beneficiary Eligibility
Grantee
Types of Assistance
Project Grants
Subject / Service Area
Economic Development
Credentials / Documentation
Grantees must be Equity eligible contractors per the equity accountability systems described in subsection (c-10) of Section 1-75 of the Illinois Power Agency Act, or meet the equity building criteria in paragraph (9.5) of subsection (g) of Section 8-103B of the Public Utilities Act
Preapplication Coordination
N/A
Application Procedures
A standard application package submitted via the State of Illinois Grant Management System. Each submission must include the following: a Uniform Grant Application in fillable PDF format, with the signature page printed, signed, scanned, and submitted alongside the application. Additionally, a Uniform Budget using the template provided by DCEO for this project must be included. The complete budget, with all worksheets, must be submitted even if some worksheets are not relevant to the grant opportunity. The budget's signature page must also be printed, signed, scanned, and submitted. Furthermore, a Conflict of Interest Disclosure and Mandatory Disclosures are required as part of the application materials.
Criteria Selecting Proposals
Applications will be graded using the Merit Review Process and scored based on specified criteria. The Department will appoint an Evaluation Committee to review each application. The final applicant score will be the average of all Committee members' scores. Grants will be awarded to the highest scoring applicants, based on a scale determined by DCEO and available funding. Selection is based on a first-come, first-served basis.
Award Procedures
Merit Based Review
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
60 days
Appeals
The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal. To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/GrantOpportunities/Pages/MeritAppReview.aspx.
Renewals
Extensions as needed
Uses and Restrictions
N/A
Reports
Quarterly reporting using PPR and PFR; Grant recipients shall submit reports to the Department at the end of the grant term on the activities pursued under their grant and any lessons learned for publication on the Department's website so that other energy sovereignty projects may learn from their experience.
Account Identification
TBD
Obligations
Estimated annual expenditures of $8.5M
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Minimum ($50k); Maximum ($1m)
Program Accomplishments
Solar energy capacity and output, jobs created or supported, investment leveraged
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
N/A
Regional or Local Assistance Location
N/A
Headquarters Office
607 East Adams Street, Springfield, IL 62701 and 555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661
Program Website
https://dceo.illinois.gov/ceja/other-ceja-programs.html#community-solar
FUNDING INFORMATION
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2024 : $8,500,000
FY 2025 : $8,500,000
Federal Funding
None
Notice of Funding Opportunities
| Agency ID | Award Range | Application Range |
ACTIVE AWARDS