Illinois Ramps up Requirements for Use of Solar Power

In August, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law the Solar Ramp Up bill (HB 6202) that will require Illinois utilities to provide an increasingly larger percentage of power from solar sources.  The use of solar as an renewable energy source dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power and begins a shift away from use of finite natural resources.  The bill requires that power utilities increase the percentage of solar as an energy source yearly from 2012 to 2015.

• .5% by June 1, 2012
• 1.5% by June 1, 2013
• 3% by June 1, 2014
• 6% by June 1, 2015

In a related bill that is now law, homeowner associations cannot prohibit solar installations on homeowner’s properties.  House bill 5429 goes into effect January 1, 2011.

For more information, visit the www.illinois.gov web site.