Quincy Reporter

State Senator Jil Tracy from Quincy is taking steps to address consumer grievances concerning misleading claims in the solar energy sector. With an increase in solar panel installations, some companies have been accused of not delivering on promised savings or going bankrupt, leaving customers stranded.

Senator Tracy has proposed Senate Bill 23, which mandates performance audits of solar energy companies by the Illinois Auditor General. The aim is to prevent issues such as unfulfilled promises or bankruptcies that impact consumers.

"We get a lot of negative e-mails and calls about solar energy companies misleading the public about the savings on their utility bills, or what to do when a company has gone out of business," Tracy said. "The common complaint is the utility bill savings are not what was promised, or the contractor failed to install or repair the panels due to bankruptcy."

According to Senate Bill 23, performance audits will be conducted in specific years—2025, 2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045. These audits will evaluate programs managed by the Illinois Power Agency aimed at implementing renewable standards and managing block programs under state law.

The legislation outlines that audits should investigate various aspects of renewable energy and vendor activities. Additionally, it requires physical inspections of three randomly selected solar sites funded through these programs. The Auditor General will work with energy experts during this process and may also hire an energy consulting firm.