State's Consumer Advocate Selects Retail Energy Aggregator For Aggregation Of Solar Installation Leads, Offers

The Illinois Citizens Utility Board (CUB) announced a new program -- branded Solar Switch and formally known as Grow Solar Chicagoland -- which will serve as a group buy program for solar installations

Solar Switch is a partnership among Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will Counties, along with CUB and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), and iChoosr, described as, "a company of solar experts who manage similar programs around the world." iChoosr also operates retail energy aggregation programs

CUB describes Solar Switch as follows: "Solar Switch is a 'group-buy' program, which means it secures volume discounts for quality solar installations, based on how many residents of those five counties, along with residents of Kendall and McHenry counties, participate. The program runs a reverse-auction process that vets quality installers to serve participants."

"As a watchdog we are concerned about education and consumer protections, and that's why we're proud of this program. Solar Switch gives consumers an introduction to solar power, and it offers a safe and reliable process to connect interested participants with qualified, vetted and affordable solar installers," said Marina Minic, Solar Programs Coordinator at CUB

"Minic said legislation, such as Illinois' 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), and the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, offer multiple incentives that can cover up to 70 percent of installation costs. That's on top of volume discounts the Solar Switch program offers," CUB said

CUB said that the program works as follows:

• Chicagoland residents are invited to register for free, educational webinars without obligation at solarswitch.com/Chicagoland.

• iChoosr will organize a July 5 reverse auction.

• Registrants receive a personal recommendation by August 8, after which qualified installers will conduct remote and onsite roof assessments with those who accept an offer. The deadline to approve personal recommendations is Sept. 13.

• Participants have a chance to review and approve their final quote, and if they want to go forward, they will then schedule the installation. All installations will be completed by February 2024.

"The more people who register by the auction date, July 5, the more competitive the offer will be. After that point, anyone can register and benefit from the offer until the decision deadline of Sept. 13," CUB said

"CUB, MREA and the counties have been involved in a similar group-buy program since 2019, helping more than 280 properties go solar and educating more than 3,000 consumers about the science and benefits of solar. Involving iChoosr this year opens the door to a more streamlined process that involves multiple solar installers and can reach even more consumers," CUB said