Top Five Illinois Clean Energy Facts

Illinois is working toward its goal of 100% clean energy by 2050, and the state’s clean energy landscape continues to evolve. Nuclear, wind, geothermal, solar – both large-scale and residential – and other clean fuel sources are shaping Illinois’ clean energy future.

At the same time, the clean energy economy is growing alongside these burgeoning industries, guided by landmark legislation such as the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which aims to increase access to communities that have been historically excluded from opportunities.

Keeping track of these changes can be challenging. To help, the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) created the Illinois Clean Energy Dashboard in 2023, providing the public with an accessible way to explore statewide clean energy data. Following a significant expansion in August 2026, the tool now features 23 interactive data dashboards covering a range of clean energy topics

Learn five key Illinois clean energy facts using the Clean Energy Dashboard below, and explore the platform further at cleanenergy.illinois.gov.

No. 1: Illinois ranks #1 in volume of electricity generation from clean energy across the Midwest

Explore the Midwest Electricity Generation Mix Overview dashboard under Midwest Clean Energy, to compare clean energy generation across 12 midwestern states.

The map displays Illinois in a darker color in contrast to its counterparts – indicating its large amount of clean energy. By hovering over Illinois, users will discover that the state ranks #1 in volume of electricity generation from clean energy.

To explore further, adjust the state to Illinois. By selecting and hovering over the pie chart, users will find that nuclear power accounts for approximately 75% of the state’s clean energy, with renewables representing about 25%.

No. 2: Renewable energy has nearly tripled in Illinois over the past decade

The Illinois Electricity Generation Mix dashboard lets users explore how Illinois’ electricity generation mix has changed over time by comparing data from two different years.

To learn how renewable energy has grown, users can adjust the Dashboard View to Renewables and choose 2015 as the first year. The dashboard reveals that renewable energy has nearly tripled in Illinois over the past decade of data, growing from about 11,000 GWh to approximately 32,000 GWh.

The chart on the right provides a closer look at this growth, showing an overall increase of about 180% in renewable energy generation between 2015 and 2025, including an approximately 13,000% increase in solar generation.

No. 3: Powered by CEJA, Illinois has over 7 GW of large-scale renewable energy projects in the pipeline

The Utility-Scale Procurements dashboard tracks how large solar and wind projects are contributing to the state’s clean energy goals. Under the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), the IPA conducts competitive procurements for Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from these utility-scale projects. CEJA established an Indexed REC pricing approach that has shaped these procurements since 2022.

In adjusting the Procurement Era to CEJA Indexed REC Procurement (2022-2026), users can discover that since CEJA, the IPA has conducted competitive procurement events to support 61 utility-scale renewable energy projects. By toggling Energized Status between Energized and Under Development, users will find that these include 12 already-energized utility-scale wind, solar, and brownfield solar projects totaling to 1.06 GW of new renewable energy projects, and an additional 49 projects currently under development representing 7.25 GW that will be added to the grid.

For project-level details, users can navigate to the Detailed Project Table Tab, to explore more information such as seller name, technology, nameplate capacity, ZIP code, and more.

No. 4: Illinois’ two solar incentive programs have supported over 125,000 projects 

The Illinois Clean Energy Dashboard features data on two of the state’s flagship solar incentive programs: Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA).

The Illinois Shines program supports the development of community solar projects and on-site solar – also referred to as distributed generation. Its sister program ILSFA offers incentives for income-eligible households, nonprofit organizations, and public facilities to help grow the state’s clean energy economy for all.

The overview dashboards for the two programs mirror each other, allowing users to quickly assess the overall growth of projects supported by the incentives. By referencing the key performance indicators of Projects Under Contract and Total Nameplate Capacity, users can discover that the programs have supported over 125,000 projects across Illinois representing more than 4,500 MW.

No. 5: Over 4,000 Equity Eligible Persons are registered on the Energy Workforce Equity Portal

To learn more about how equity is at the center of efforts to grow Illinois’ clean energy economy, users can visit the Energy Workforce Equity Portal dashboard. The Equity Portal is an online tool, administered by the IPA, designed to help connect clean energy companies with Equity Eligible Persons (EEPs) looking to work in the clean energy sector in Illinois. Making these connections is a key aspect of ensuring that the clean energy industry in Illinois grows in an equitable manner.

According to the dashboard’s key performance indicators, over 4,000 EEPs are registered on the Energy Workforce Equity Portal as of September 2026. Of those, 978 were formerly incarcerated, 182 have graduated from or are currently enrolled in a foster care system in Illinois, over 1,600 have graduated from or are current or former participants in a qualified job training program, and over 2,000 are located within an Equity Investment Eligible Community.

posted November 5, 2026