A Chance To Cut Electricity Bills For Illinois Consumers – CleanTechnica

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Solar power is the dominant form of new electricity generation capacity globally now. That’s because it has become the cheapest option for new power capacity in locations all around the world. However, to maximize the usefulness of solar power, people have innovated and been creating more and more ways of using that, including virtual power plants. Combining solar power with energy storage helps to maximize solar energy use and drive down costs, and even more so if they are all combined into a virtual power plant. Illinois leaders are now trying to get the state to pass legislation to allow this brilliant solution, and others, to help drive down consumer electricity prices.

One of the organizations working hard to make this happen is ISEA, which we have worked with for years in connection with its EV raffles (see info on the current one in our article “Win A Rivian, Support Solar” or on the ISEA site). “Illinois families and businesses are feeling the pain of higher costs of living and historic energy prices, and they are letting their legislators know. The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act is the only solution proposed that will lower energy prices for all Illinois ratepayers while investing in the future of the Illinois power grid,” said Lesley McCain, Executive Director of the Illinois Solar Energy and Storage Association. “It will encourage the implementation of proven technologies while building upon the progress we’ve made as a state and optimizing our existing infrastructure. The legislation is ready to go and voting yes for the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act is a vote to lower Illinois energy prices, stimulate the Illinois economy, and create high-quality jobs for Illinois.” Indeed.

At a time when solar power is being heavily attacked at the federal level, we need as many state wins as possible in order to keep progress rolling. Hopefully Illinois lawmakers can make a good decision here and agree to modernize the grid further and help their constituents save money on electricity.

“Simply put, we must pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act and we must pass it now. The cost of doing nothing is what Illinois ratepayers are paying, and every day we wait guarantees more consumer and business pain in the future,” Jeff Danielson, SVP of Advocacy, Clean Grid Alliance, added. “If enacted, this bill would direct the state to invest in solutions that promote the stability and reliability of our grid while lowering costs for consumers.”

Naturally, Democrats are behind the bill, but one would hope that Republicans in the legislature would see the case being made and do what’s right to help the state’s residents. “CRGA invests in the Illinois power grid by supporting clean energy storage, expanding energy efficiency programs, and creating the pathway to set up virtual power plants that pool energy from already-built sources like solar, storage or EVs,” said Illinois State Representative Ann Williams, 11th District. “This bill gives us the quickest and most cost-effective path out of the energy crisis we are experiencing — our constituents, our environment, and economy rely on solutions like this bill.”

Here’s a little more of a summary from the US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) on what this bill includes and why it’s important: “CRGA would provide relief to consumers across Illinois whose bills have spiked as much as 50% since last summer, and whose bills will continue to rise following the results of the 2026/2027 PJM capacity auction. If passed, CRGA would create an energy storage program, Virtual Power Plant program, and other policies geared towards shoring up Illinois’ available electricity supply to meet record demand. By addressing the heart of power demand problems facing Illinois’s grid through deployment of storage, a Virtual Power Plant program, and improving planning, the CRGA Act will make a concrete difference for the state’s energy future. […]

“The legislation creates $34 billion in net savings on Illinois energy bills over 20 years, according to an analysis by The Power Bureau, and is expected to save consumers up to $20.54/month according to the Illinois Power Agency. This would mitigate the price spikes that have hit businesses and families hard and will continue to do so if legislators fail to act this fall. […]

“Numerous studies and real-world experience in states like Texas and California have proven that energy storage stabilizes the grid and saves consumers and businesses billions of dollars. Battery storage in particular is the quickest, easiest-to-deploy and most cost-effective way to deploy new power resources onto the grid quickly, complementing wind and solar resources during times of peak demand.”

Exactly. Something that is widely unknown — or even the opposite is assumed — is that solar power and batteries can now bring down energy costs. They have matured together at a perfect time and work magic together.

Come on, Illinois. You can do this, and can help the country strengthen its clean energy focus and progress at a critical time when we need any ray of sunshine we can get. Solar power is supported very broadly by voters, Republican and Democrat. It only makes sense to support such legislation if you are trying to support and help your voters, or Illinois residents at large. (What are they called, by the way?… Illinoisans is what I’d guess, and Google tells me that’s correct.) The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act deserves a quick stamp of approval and passage in the Illinois legislature to help Illinoisans recover from staggering electricity price increases. Get us and yourselves a win and pass the bill, Illinois lawmakers.

“Federal policies and red tape are threatening years of historic growth in solar jobs, businesses, and economic activity across Illinois. Now the state legislature has a great opportunity to strengthen the grid, protect against fast-rising energy prices, and build on the state’s legacy of clean energy leadership,” says Andrew Linhares, Central Region Senior Manager, Solar Energy Industries Association. “The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act will lower energy prices for Illinois families, strengthen grid reliability, and send a clear signal that the state is open for business.”