The Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, has signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) into law, aiming to significantly boost investments in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage technologies across the state. This new legislation, designated as SB 25, builds on previous initiatives, namely the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which set a target for achieving 100% clean energy by 2050.
Since the implementation of CEJA, Illinois has successfully facilitated the deployment of over 6GW of renewable energy, with an additional 6GW currently in development. The CRGA aims to address rising electricity costs, which are attributed to private grid operators, by enhancing the availability of cost-saving energy resources while simultaneously fostering the growth of Illinois’ clean energy sector. The legislation will officially take effect on 1 June 2026.
Key Provisions of the Legislation
Among its many provisions, the CRGA includes a commitment to establish 3GW of grid-scale battery storage by 2030. Additionally, it introduces virtual power plant (VPP) programs that will enable households equipped with solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles to participate in an Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process. This initiative seeks to identify cost-effective strategies for lowering energy bills and adjusting state programs accordingly.
Furthermore, the legislation mandates that utilities promote energy equity, particularly for low-income households. It also encourages the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) to explore new clean energy options through long-term procurement agreements. The establishment of a Solar Bill of Rights is another significant feature, ensuring access for citizens served by municipal and cooperative utilities to install rooftop solar panels, while also extending clean energy siting reforms for energy storage projects.
Impact on Community Solar and Job Creation
The CRGA is poised to enhance community solar development in Illinois by increasing the maximum size for such projects to 10MW. Since the state passed its first community solar legislation in 2016, it has recorded 444MW of new community solar capacity by the third quarter of 2025, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. This positions Illinois as a leader in community solar installations, ranking fifth among states in this sector.
Governor Pritzker remarked, “The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act sets a national standard in the effort to lower energy costs and marks a historic step forward in our clean energy vision. Once again, Illinois is stepping up where the federal government is failing.”
The state is projected to experience significant growth in solar energy development, with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) forecasting an addition of 14.6GW of new solar PV capacity over the next five years. This would more than double Illinois’ current installed solar PV, which stood at 6.5GW at the end of the third quarter of 2025.
By advancing the CRGA, Illinois not only aims to reduce energy costs for its residents but also to stimulate job creation within the clean energy sector, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable energy future.
