Illinois Charts a New Course

The Clean and Reliable Grid Bill Ushers in a Bold Energy Future

Illinois is taking another major step toward a resilient, affordable, and equitable energy future. With the passage of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (SB 25), state leaders have laid the groundwork for one of the most forward-thinking grid-modernization packages in the country. The legislation pairs ambitious renewable-energy goals with pragmatic grid upgrades, unlocking new opportunities for solar, storage, and customer-centric innovation.

At Enterprise Energy, we view SB 25 not just as validation of the work underway across Illinois, but as motivation to accelerate collaboration with communities, landowners, and policymakers across the state.

Illinois’ legislature approved the bill in late October 2025, clearing both chambers and sending it to the governor for signature.

What the Bill Does

SB 25 introduces several transformative measures that redefine what’s possible for distributed energy, community solar, and long-term grid reliability:

• Sets a statewide 3 gigawatt (GW) energy storage target by 2030

• Expands access to distributed and community solar, building upon the success of Illinois Shines

• Authorizes virtual power plants (VPPs) and time-of-use (TOU) tariffs, empowering customers and reducing peak strain

• Invests in modern planning tools such as Integrated Resource Planning (IRP)

• Lifts the long-standing moratorium on new large-scale nuclear development starting January 1, 2026
  

  State officials estimate that these combined reforms could deliver billions in customer savings over the next two decades through cleaner generation, better efficiency, and a more resilient grid.

Key Highlights from the Bill

1. 3 Gigawatt Energy Storage Target

Illinois is joining the ranks of the most ambitious states by establishing a 3 GW energy-storage goal, affirming storage as a linchpin of a reliable clean energy system.

Energy storage allows solar and wind to operate like firm, dispatch-able resources, delivering power during peak demand, grid outages, and severe weather.
On the developer side, this creates a significant pathway to design more solar-plus-storage projects that enhance local reliability and allow communities to benefit from modernized grid operations.

2. Major Expansion of Distributed and Community Solar

SB 25 builds on Illinois Shines by unlocking thousands of new distributed and community solar arrays statewide. These projects will:

• Increase customer access to affordable clean energy

• Drive long-term lease payments to rural landowners

• Create local construction jobs

• Reduce carbon emissions across urban, suburban, and rural communities
  
  Enterprise Energy currently has multiple community solar and landowner-partnered projects in development throughout Illinois. This legislation strengthens the foundation for meaningful participation in the clean-energy transition—especially for residents who do not own their roofs or cannot install on-site systems.

3. Grid Modernization for Reliability and Transparency

The Clean and Reliable Grid Bill accelerates the state’s move toward a decentralized and digitally enabled grid. Key initiatives include:

• Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) for long-term, transparent grid forecasting

• Time-of-use rates to better align energy use with system needs

• Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) that aggregate distributed resources

• Upgrades to aging grid infrastructure
  
  These efforts improve situational awareness, reduce peak-load stress, and ensure utilities and customers can co-manage energy more intelligently.

4. A Defining Commitment to Equity and Affordability

At the heart of SB 25 is a clear commitment to ensuring the energy transition benefits every Illinois resident. The bill expands investment in:

• Income-qualified energy efficiency programs

• Equity Eligible Contractors (EECs)

• Community-based organizations

• Access to community solar for households who rent or lack suitable rooftops
  

This focus strengthens consumer protections, lowers energy burdens, and channels clean-energy investment directly into historically under-served communities.

The Road Ahead

SB 25 provides a clear blueprint for a modern, resilient, and inclusive grid—one where solar and storage resources play a central role in powering communities.

For Enterprise Energy, this legislation enhances our ability to:

• Collaborate with municipalities and cooperatives

• Partner with landowners on long-term, mutually beneficial solar sites

• Deploy scalable solar-plus-storage projects

• Support Illinois’ decarbonization, reliability, and equity goals

Illinois has set a bold example for the Midwest and the nation. We’re excited to help bring this vision to life.