Our Services

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Beyond your typical aggregator role…

CRE is an Illinois Solar for All Approved Vendor Aggregator.  We are a business to business (B2B) entity that holds and administers Renewable Energy Credit contracts for projects developed and operated under the ILSfA’s Low-Income Distributed Generation, Non-Profit and Public Facilities, and Low-Income Community Solar sub-programs.  We work with developers, EPCs, and investors, our “Approved Vendor Designees” (AVDs), to ensure that their projects are compliant with the requirements of the ILSfA program. 

Because the ILSfA program is meant to serve Illinois’ most vulnerable communities, the program was designed with consumer protection as a priority.  Consequently, the program is highly regulated and requires extensive documentation from potential-customer contact till the end of the REC contract.  CRE provides our AVDs with:

  • an involved advocate who not only understands the current ILSfA program but actively participates in the stakeholder groups that monitor the program.  CRE keeps our AVD’s advised of the potential program changes that might affect project development, structure, and financing;

  • training, guidance, and oversight of marketing and outreach efforts to LI and EJ communities;

  • guidance and support for completing and submitting ILSfA’s Part I and Part II Applications;

  • PPA/Lease contract review to ensure compliance with ILSfA requirements;

  • QA/QC prior to and during project installation;

  • organization of efforts and documentation of qualified trainee graduate usage;

  • oversight of mitigation efforts during installation, when necessary;

  • progress reporting during construction;

  • coordination of REC delivery over the 15 year life of the REC contract (CRE contracts with PJM-GATS or M-RETS on behalf of the project);

  • annual reporting and compliance audits over the 15 year life of the REC contract;

  • administration of a project’s performance assurance funds;

  • coordination between the program administrator and our AVDs should operational issues arise;

We have also helped our AVDs successfully apply to have an area designated as an Environmental Justice Community and have the program designate a public facility as a Critical Service Provider.

Rates

We charge a percentage of the REC contract depending on project size and sub-program.  We get paid when the REC contract is paid. 

Performance Assurance Funds

The developer is responsible for posting Performance Assurance (currently 5% of the REC contract payable upon REC contract award).  CRE withholds an additional 5% when the REC contract is paid.  This holdback provides CRE funds to replenish the program’s Performance Assurance account in the event the system underperforms and the IPA draws on the performance assurance monies.  At the end of the REC contract, any remaining performance assurance funds returned by the IPA and what remains of CRE’s holdback are returned to the investor or their designee.