The Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) program is a state-funded initiative designed to make solar energy accessible and affordable for income-eligible homeowners, renters, and property managers. By eliminating upfront costs and providing guaranteed savings, ILSFA ensures that participants can lower their electricity bills while benefiting from clean, renewable energy. Unlike traditional solar financing options, this program offers fixed low-cost payments, full warranty coverage, and strict consumer protections to safeguard homeowners. With rising energy costs across Illinois, ILSFA provides a proven solution to reduce household expenses, increase energy independence, and promote sustainable, long-term savings. As an approved vendor, ARC simplifies the process by handling eligibility verification, paperwork, approvals, and installation, making it easy for homeowners to transition to solar with confidence.
Rising energy bills are making it harder to budget than ever. One month your bill is manageable, the next it spikes without warning. With unpredictable weather, hidden fees, and rate hikes, it’s almost impossible to keep up. Every extra dollar spent on electricity means less for rent, groceries, or other essentials.
Even worse, traditional energy companies hold all the power. If they raise rates, you pay. If your home isn’t energy efficient, you pay even more. And when the seasons change, your bill does too. It’s frustrating, and for many, there’s no clear way out.
But some Illinois residents have found relief. Many are discovering they qualify for Illinois Solar for All, a state program designed to help lower energy costs with no upfront cost to homeowners. This initiative guarantees savings, making it easier for families to take control of their electricity bills.
So how does it work? Well, since 2017, Illinois residents who pay a utility bill have been funding this program. Yes, that’s correct. If you look at your utility bill, you’ll see a Renewable Energy Adjustment charge that has been there since the program was created. Think of it like this – this is a program you’ve likely already paid into. Many homeowners across Illinois who meet the eligibility requirements are using it to cut their electricity costs. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of it too?
Illinois Solar for All is designed for income-eligible households, meaning your eligibility is based on household size and income level. To qualify, your total household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your county.
That threshold might seem limiting, but there’s good news. Not all income is counted toward eligibility. Certain types of earnings, such as 401(k) withdrawals, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and other non-taxable benefits, may not count as part of your total income. This means that even if your reported income seems too high at first glance, you could still qualify once certain exclusions are applied.
If you’re unsure whether your income meets the requirements, it’s worth checking. Many Illinois residents don’t realize they qualify until they apply.
Here’s how eligibility is determined:
If you’re enrolled in a state or federal assistance program, you may already meet the income requirements for Illinois Solar for All. Many residents don’t realize that participation in certain programs can automatically qualify them, making it easier to access affordable solar energy without additional paperwork.
Here are some of the programs that align with ILSFA’s eligibility requirements:
Since these programs already require income verification, being enrolled in one may mean you don’t need to go through extra steps to prove eligibility. For those who qualify, Illinois Solar for All makes it possible to reduce energy costs without upfront expenses or long-term debt.
Even for those not currently receiving assistance, income eligibility may still be an option. Many households find that they meet the program’s requirements without realizing it, especially since some income sources, like 401(k) withdrawals and certain benefits, may not count toward total household earnings.
A major concern for homeowners considering solar is whether they’re getting a fair deal. Illinois Solar for All was built with strong consumer protections to ensure that participants receive guaranteed savings, fair pricing, and a system that works for their home.
Unlike some private solar deals that come with hidden fees, escalating payments, or misleading promises, ILSFA is designed to protect homeowners and renters from financial risk. The program is overseen by an independent administrator that carefully reviews every project to ensure participants are treated fairly.
Here’s how the program safeguards homeowners:
For many homeowners, these protections offer peace of mind that they’re not taking on financial risk. Instead of worrying about whether solar is a good investment, ILSFA ensures that it’s structured to deliver real, lasting savings.
The benefits of Illinois Solar for All are undeniable but navigating the process can feel overwhelming. From verifying eligibility to handling paperwork, permitting, and installation, there are multiple steps that can make it seem out of reach. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.
As a minority-owned company, our mission is simply to help as many homeowners in our community as possible access affordable, reliable solar energy. We believe in creating real, lasting impact by making renewable energy accessible to those who need it most.
And as an approved vendor we do it exactly that. When you work with ARC we take on the responsibility of navigating the ILSFA process for you. From verifying eligibility to handling paperwork, securing approvals, and managing installation, ARC works directly with the State of Illinois to ensure everything is done correctly. We make the switch to solar easy, so you can focus on saving money and reducing your energy burden, minus the hassle.
Want to see if you’re eligible for the ILSFA state program?
We’ve lived in this house for over 30 years, and every year the electric bill just gets higher. On a fixed income, that’s stressful. We’d heard about solar but always thought it was too expensive. Then we found out about this program. ARC made it simple. No upfront costs, no confusing paperwork - we just signed up, and they handled the rest.
Okay, so I’ll be honest, I had no idea how solar even worked before this. Like, I thought it was something only rich people could afford. But then I saw something about this program and figured, why not check it out? ARC literally made everything so easy. They explained everything in a way that actually made sense, handled all the paperwork, and next thing I knew, I had solar panels on my house. And the best part? My electric bill is way lower now. It’s literally a no-brainer. If you’re even thinking about it, just do it
Man, listen my light bill was killin me one month it’s a hundred dollars next month it’s way up, and I ain’t even used more power n I got a kid to take care of, I don’t have time to be stressing about that. My cousin told me about this program where you get solar without paying nothing upfront. Thought it was a scam at first but ARC came through. Real professional, no funny business. They did all the paperwork, set it all up, and now my bill is steady. That’s all I needed.
We were really excited about the idea of getting solar, especially since our electricity bills have always been high. We reached out to ARC, thinking this program might be perfect for us. But after reviewing everything, they were completely honest with us - they told us our home wouldn’t generate enough solar energy to truly benefit from the program. Instead of pushing us into something that wouldn’t work, they actually recommended we focus on better insulation first and even connected us with a company that handled it for us.
We don’t jump into things. We’ve been in this home for over 40 years, and we’ve seen plenty of companies come and go (and had probably hundreds of people knock on our door at this point). We weren’t about to sign up for something we didn’t trust. But ARC felt different. They didn’t rush us, they didn’t pressure us, and they actually answered all of our questions - every single one. And let me tell you, we had a lot of questions. Once we understood the program, it just made sense. No upfront cost, locked-in savings, and full warranty coverage? We’re in. We took our time, and we’re glad we did, because now we have solar and we’re saving money every month. Best decision we’ve made in a long time.
I work long hours, and the last thing I wanted was a complicated process that required me to fill out a ton of forms or deal with red tape. ILSFA sounded great, but I didn’t have time to figure it all out on my own. ARC made it simple. They explained everything clearly, handled all the paperwork, and scheduled the installation at a time that worked for me. Highly recommend
I’m probably older than most of you, so at first, I didn’t think I could benefit from the program. But I started thinking about my daughter and how one day, this house will be hers. So I wanted to set her up with something that would help her in the long run. I didn’t want her stuck with rising electricity bills when I could do something about it now.
I qualified for the program and ARC made everything so easy. They handled the paperwork, the approvals, and the installation without any stress on my end. Now, the house has solar, the bills are lower, and I have peace of mind knowing that when my daughter takes over, she won’t have to worry about this. It feels good knowing I did something that will help her for years to come.
Use our eligibility calculator below to see if your household qualifies for the program based on your income. Submit your information, and we’ll schedule a virtual appointment to walk you through the next steps and get everything set up.
Our team will conduct a free home assessment to determine if your property is a good fit for solar. We’ll handle all the paperwork and submit everything for state approval, ensuring your system meets all program requirements.
Once approved, ARC will install your solar system at no upfront cost to you. After installation, your system is activated, and you’ll start enjoying lower energy bills with a locked-in $25/month payment
$0 Upfront Cost – No Loans, No Hidden Fees, No Financial Risk
Guaranteed Savings – Energy savings will always exceed your monthly payment
Locked-In $25/Month – No rate hikes – just one low, fixed monthly cost
State Program – A regulated State Program designed to protect homeowners
15-Year Warranty & Full Coverage – Full system coverage with no repair or service cost
No Liens, Credit Checks, or Debt – No financial risk – just savings on your electricity bill
Hassle Free – ARC handles everything from paperwork to installation
Qualify with Assistance Programs – LIHEAP, SNAP, MEDICAID, and more pre-qualify you automatically
Increase Home Value – Boost property value without any upfront investment
Home Repairs and Upgrades – Income-eligible homeowners may qualify for state-funded home repairs
For nearly eight years, Illinois Solar for All has been helping homeowners slash electricity bills with no upfront cost and guaranteed savings. This state program was built to make switching to solar simple and stress-free. With Approved Vendors like ARC handling the paperwork, approvals, and installation, you don’t have to lift a finger.
✅ $0 Upfront Cost
✅ Guaranteed Savings
✅ Fixed $25/Month Payment
With Illinois Solar for All, you get the full benefits of a solar energy system without the financial burden of ownership. Your home is powered by solar, reducing your electricity costs, and you simply replace the value of that savings with a fixed $25 monthly payment.
and get educated – all things Illinois Solar for All
