Updated: September 15, 2026 · Estimated read time: 12 minutes
You bought solar because the system was supposed to last for decades.
Then the company that sold or installed it stops answering the phone.
Maybe it closed.
Maybe it stopped operating in Illinois.
Maybe your installation is unfinished.
Maybe your panels are working, but your Illinois Shines application was never completed.
Or maybe your project was finished months ago—and you're still waiting for an Illinois Shines incentive payment you were promised.
So now what?
The first thing to understand is this:
A solar company disappearing does not automatically mean every part of your solar project disappears with it.
Your project may involve several different organizations:
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Solar salesperson
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Installer
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Illinois Shines Designee
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Illinois Shines Approved Vendor
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Solar lender
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PPA or lease owner
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Equipment manufacturer
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Electric utility
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Monitoring provider
Those companies can have completely different responsibilities.
That means the right next step depends on what part of your solar project is actually stranded.
Quick Answer
If your Illinois solar company goes out of business or stops supporting your project:
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Gather your contracts, Disclosure Form, financing documents, equipment information, emails, and payment records.
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Check your Illinois Shines project status if your system was supposed to participate in the program.
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Determine whether you need:
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Someone to finish or repair the installation
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A new Approved Vendor to finish the Illinois Shines application
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Help recovering a promised Illinois Shines REC payment
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Warranty or equipment support
-
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Use the official Illinois Shines Stranded Customer Resources to find Approved Vendors and installer Designees willing to help qualifying stranded customers.
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If you believe a Program requirement was violated, use the Illinois Shines Consumer Complaint Center.
And don't automatically stop paying a solar loan, lease, or PPA simply because the original installer disappeared.
The company servicing your financial agreement may be completely separate.
Table of Contents
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What does “stranded solar customer” mean?
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First, identify which company disappeared
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Step 1: Gather your documents
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Step 2: Check your Illinois Shines project status
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Situation A: Solar was never installed
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Situation B: Installation started but wasn't finished
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Situation C: System works but Illinois Shines isn't complete
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Situation D: System needs service or repairs
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Situation E: You're missing a promised incentive payment
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What is the Solar Restitution Program?
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What is the Illinois Shines escrow process?
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What is the Stranded Customer REC Adder?
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What happens to your solar loan?
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What happens to a PPA or lease?
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What happens to your equipment warranties?
-
What happens to monitoring?
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How to protect yourself before going solar
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Frequently asked questions
What Does “Stranded Solar Customer” Mean?
Illinois Shines uses a specific definition.
A stranded customer is generally an Illinois Shines distributed-generation customer whose Approved Vendor or Designee is unable or unwilling to complete the installation and/or continue acting as the Approved Vendor for the project's Illinois Shines application.
That can happen because a company:
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Goes out of business
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Ceases or limits operations
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Can no longer meet Program requirements
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Is suspended from Illinois Shines
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Becomes otherwise unable to advance the project
Illinois Shines currently maintains a public resource identifying companies that have recently ceased or limited operations and also maintains information about companies suspended from the Program.
You can review the current information on the official Help for Stranded Customers page.
That page is more useful than relying on old Facebook posts or assuming the company is still operating because its website remains online.
First: Identify Which Company Actually Disappeared
This sounds obvious.
It isn't.
A homeowner might say:
“My solar company went out of business.”
But there may have been several companies involved.
For example:
Sales company
The company or salesperson who originally sold you solar.
Installer
The contractor that physically installed the panels and electrical equipment.
Illinois Shines Designee
A company registered to perform certain work on behalf of an Approved Vendor, such as sales or installation.
Approved Vendor
The company responsible for submitting your qualifying project to Illinois Shines and handling the REC relationship with the Program.
Lender
The financial institution that financed your purchase.
PPA or lease owner
The company that owns the equipment if you don't own the system.
Equipment manufacturer
The company that manufactured the panels, inverter, battery, or other components.
Your salesperson disappearing doesn't necessarily mean your lender disappeared.
Your installer disappearing doesn't necessarily mean the panel manufacturer warranty disappeared.
And your Approved Vendor disappearing doesn't necessarily mean your solar panels stop producing electricity.
Start by identifying who did what.
Step 1: Gather Everything You Have
Before calling another installer or filing a complaint, create a project folder.
Look for:
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Solar proposal
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Installation contract
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Illinois Shines Disclosure Form
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Financing agreement
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PPA or lease agreement
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Proof of payments
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Emails
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Text messages
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Equipment specifications
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Panel model
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Inverter model
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Battery model, if applicable
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Warranty documents
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Interconnection documents
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Utility approval or Permission to Operate
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Illinois Shines Application ID
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Illinois Shines Disclosure Form ID
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Monitoring login
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Photos of the installation
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Inspection records
This is one reason we recommend reviewing and saving important documents before signing.
Our Solar Quote Checklist for Illinois homeowners explains which numbers and documents deserve attention during the original sale.
The more information you have now, the easier it will be for another company or Program representative to understand where the project stopped.
Step 2: Check Your Illinois Shines Project Status
If your project was supposed to participate in Illinois Shines, don't guess where the application stands.
Use the official:
Illinois Shines Project Lookup Tool
You can currently search using one of the following:
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Application ID
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Disclosure Form ID
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Customer email address
The lookup tool shows where the project sits in the Illinois Shines process.
That matters because:
A project that was never submitted needs different help from a project that is already under a REC contract.
Illinois Shines' current process includes stages such as:
Disclosure Form → Part I Application → Commission approval → REC Contract → Installation → Part II Application → REC payment
Knowing the stage helps determine the next move.
Situation A: You Signed a Contract, but Solar Was Never Installed
Suppose you signed the agreement.
Maybe you even paid a deposit.
Then the company shuts down before anything goes on your roof.
Your first steps should include reviewing:
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Contract cancellation/default terms
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Payment records
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Financing status
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Whether equipment was ever ordered
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Whether an Illinois Shines application was started
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Whether permits or utility applications were submitted
If financing is involved, contact the financing company directly.
Do not assume the financing agreement automatically disappeared because the installer did.
If the project was supposed to participate in Illinois Shines, also check its status using the Project Lookup Tool.
If you believe an Approved Vendor or Designee violated Illinois Shines requirements, you can file a complaint through the Illinois Shines Consumer Complaint Center.
Depending on the circumstances, other consumer-protection resources may also be appropriate.
Situation B: Installation Started but Was Never Finished
This can be one of the most frustrating situations.
Maybe:
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Panels are installed but aren't connected
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Electrical work remains unfinished
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Inspections weren't completed
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The system failed inspection
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The inverter isn't commissioned
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The utility never issued Permission to Operate
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Part of the equipment is missing
This is where Illinois Shines' stranded-customer resources can become especially useful.
Illinois Shines maintains a shortlist of registered installer Designees that meet heightened eligibility requirements and have indicated that they are willing to assist stranded customers.
A qualified new installer may potentially help:
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Finish installation
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Repair incomplete work
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Correct installation problems
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Assist with energization
But don't assume another installer will complete the job for free.
The new company needs to evaluate the existing work, equipment, permits, contract status, liability, and required corrections.
There may be additional costs.
Situation C: The Solar Works—but Your Illinois Shines Application Isn't Finished
This is different.
Imagine the panels are:
Installed.
Energized.
Producing electricity.
But your Approved Vendor went out of business before completing your Illinois Shines application.
You may need a new Approved Vendor, not necessarily a new installer.
Illinois Shines maintains a stranded-customer shortlist of Approved Vendors that may be willing to help qualifying customers continue or complete their applications.
The Program Administrator can help facilitate certain application-transfer steps depending on the status and circumstances of the project.
However:
A transfer is not automatic in every situation.
The options can depend on how far the application progressed, whether a REC contract already exists, the status of the original Approved Vendor, and other Program requirements.
Start with the Illinois Shines Stranded Customer Resources rather than asking a random installer to “fix the Illinois incentive.”
CHECK YOUR PROJECT BEFORE STARTING OVER
If your original solar company disappeared, don't immediately assume the entire project needs to be rebuilt.
First determine:
What is already complete?
What is missing?
Who owns the equipment?
Where is the Illinois Shines application?
Which warranties still exist?
If you're still considering solar and want to understand the project structure before signing, start here:
LuNova Solar does not guarantee that it can take over, repair, service, or complete projects originally sold or installed by another company. Existing projects should be individually evaluated based on equipment, contracts, permits, utility status, warranties, and applicable program requirements.
Situation D: Your System Is Working—but Nobody Will Service It
Maybe your system was completed years ago.
Then your installer disappears.
Now:
The inverter stops working.
A panel is damaged.
Monitoring goes offline.
The battery reports an error.
This situation isn't necessarily an Illinois Shines application problem.
You may simply need service.
First determine whether the issue is covered by:
Manufacturer warranty
The panel, inverter, optimizer, battery, or other manufacturer may still provide product coverage even if the original installer is gone.
Workmanship warranty
This usually came from the installer.
If that installer no longer exists, enforcing the workmanship warranty may be much more difficult.
Third-party service agreement
Some projects have separate operations or service providers.
PPA or lease agreement
If a third party owns the system, maintenance obligations may belong to that system owner under the contract.
Illinois Shines' stranded-customer shortlist also includes installer Designees willing to assist certain stranded customers with maintenance or repair concerns.
Equipment Warranty Does Not Always Mean Free Repair
This distinction matters.
Suppose your inverter has a:
25-year manufacturer warranty.
That may mean the manufacturer provides a replacement unit under qualifying circumstances.
It does not automatically mean:
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Free troubleshooting
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Free labor
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Free removal
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Free shipping
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Free installation
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Free electrical work
Warranty terms vary.
Read the actual manufacturer warranty.
If your original installer promised additional labor coverage, determine whether that obligation was provided directly by the installer or backed by another company.
The words:
“25-year warranty”
should never be treated as a complete explanation.
What If the Project Includes a Battery?
Battery service can be particularly important because storage systems include:
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Battery modules
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Power electronics
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Communications
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Monitoring
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Backup controls
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Potential utility-program participation
If your battery stops operating after the installer disappears, identify:
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Manufacturer
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Model
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Serial number
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Monitoring platform
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Installer access
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Manufacturer warranty
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Utility-program obligations
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Whether the battery is part of a lease or PPA
For more background, read LuNova's Illinois Solar Battery Guide.
Situation E: Your System Is Done—but You Never Received the Illinois Shines Payment You Were Promised
This is a completely different type of problem.
Some solar contracts promise that part of the Illinois Shines REC incentive received by the Approved Vendor will be passed through to the customer.
Imagine your contract says you should receive:
$8,000
after the project reaches the appropriate stage.
The Approved Vendor receives the REC incentive.
But you never receive your promised payment.
Illinois now has a specific consumer-protection mechanism that may help qualifying customers:
The Solar Restitution Program.
What Is the Illinois Solar Restitution Program?
The Illinois Power Agency launched the Solar Restitution Program, or SRP, in 2025.
Its purpose is to provide economic assistance to certain customers who suffered qualifying financial harm through Illinois Shines or Illinois Solar for All.
Phase II launched on:
June 1, 2026.
Under current Phase I and Phase II rules, qualifying customers can potentially receive restitution when an Approved Vendor:
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Received the Illinois Shines incentive payment
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Had promised to pass some or all of that payment to the customer
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Failed to provide some or all of the promised amount
As of June 2026, Illinois Shines reported that 170 customers had received nearly $473,000 in restitution.
That's meaningful consumer protection.
But there's something equally important to understand:
The Solar Restitution Program is not universal insurance for every failed solar project.
At this time, its current phases focus on specific harms involving promised incentive pass-through payments.
A broken inverter or unfinished installation does not automatically create restitution eligibility.
For current eligibility requirements, visit the official Solar Restitution Program.
You Generally Need to File a Complaint First
Current Solar Restitution Program eligibility includes a complaint process.
Illinois Shines currently requires qualifying claimants to:
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File a relevant complaint with the Program Administrator
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Cooperate with the investigation
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Have the complaint investigated and closed
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Submit the restitution claim within the applicable deadline
Current program rules also contain deadlines for the complaint and restitution claim.
So if you believe you were promised an Illinois Shines REC payment that wasn't delivered:
Don't simply wait indefinitely.
Review the current requirements and consider filing through the Illinois Shines Consumer Complaint Center.
How Much Could Solar Restitution Cover?
Current 2026 program information lists maximum individual-project restitution caps of:
Projects 25 kW or smaller
Up to $30,000
Projects larger than 25 kW
Up to $50,000
Additional program-wide and Approved-Vendor-related limits also apply.
These are maximum caps, not guaranteed payments.
Eligibility and actual restitution depend on the specific claim.
What Is the Illinois Shines Escrow Process?
Illinois created another consumer-protection mechanism:
The escrow process.
This is designed for situations where there is a high likelihood that an Approved Vendor will not properly pass through promised future REC incentive payments.
Normally, the contracting utility pays the Illinois Shines REC incentive to the Approved Vendor.
The Program Administrator and Illinois Power Agency generally can't simply tell the utility:
“Skip the Approved Vendor and mail the homeowner a check.”
Instead, under qualifying circumstances, an escrow process can route payments through an independent third-party escrow agent so the appropriate parties can receive the money.
The escrow process is intended to help prevent additional customers from experiencing missing promised incentive payments.
Current details are available on the official Illinois Shines Escrow Process page.
Escrow and Restitution Are Not the Same Thing
This distinction is worth remembering.
Escrow
Primarily helps protect certain future incentive payments when there is concern that an Approved Vendor may fail to pass them through.
Restitution
May compensate qualifying customers who have already experienced certain financial harm.
They're separate consumer-protection tools.
Neither is simply:
“Illinois pays for any problem caused by a failed solar company.”
What Is the Stranded Customer REC Adder?
Illinois also created an incentive intended to encourage qualified solar companies to take over stranded projects.
It's called the:
Stranded Customer REC Adder.
When an eligible Approved Vendor takes on a qualifying stranded project, it may be able to receive a higher REC price.
Why?
Because rescuing somebody else's project can involve:
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Unknown equipment condition
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Incomplete paperwork
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Missing records
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Installation corrections
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Additional labor
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Program risk
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Added administrative work
The extra REC value can make it more feasible for another Approved Vendor to help.
But here's an important point:
The REC Adder is not automatically paid to the stranded homeowner.
Illinois Shines explicitly explains that the adder is intended to compensate the company taking on the additional risk and work.
That doesn't prevent a new company from using the economics to lower what it charges a stranded customer.
But the homeowner shouldn't assume:
“I qualify for the adder, so Illinois owes me extra cash.”
That's not how the current program is structured.
What Happens to Your Solar Loan If the Installer Goes Out of Business?
Usually:
The loan does not automatically disappear.
The lender may be completely separate from the solar installer.
You may still have a valid financing obligation even if:
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Sales company closes
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Installer closes
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Approved Vendor leaves the market
Contact the lender directly and determine:
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Current loan servicer
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Remaining balance
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Payment requirements
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Whether installation was fully funded
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Whether a dispute process exists
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Whether there are project-completion requirements
Do not simply stop payments without understanding your agreement and obtaining appropriate financial or legal advice.
For more background on ownership and financing structures, see LuNova's Illinois Solar Financing Guide.
What Happens to a Solar PPA or Lease?
A PPA can be even more confusing because the homeowner generally doesn't own the equipment.
The system owner may be different from:
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Sales company
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Installer
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Approved Vendor
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Servicing company
If the original installer disappears but the PPA owner remains in business, your PPA agreement may continue.
The same principle applies to many leases.
Find your contract and identify:
Who owns the system?
Who receives your payments?
Who is responsible for maintenance?
Who handles customer service?
Who handles transfer if you sell the home?
Our Illinois Solar PPA Guide explains why understanding the actual system owner matters.
What If You Want to Sell the Home?
A failed solar installer can create additional complications during a sale, especially if important documentation is missing.
Before listing, determine:
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Who owns the solar equipment
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Whether a loan remains
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Whether a PPA or lease remains
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Whether there is a UCC filing
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Whether Illinois Shines obligations continue
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Who controls monitoring
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Which warranties remain
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Whether the utility account needs special handling
Our complete Selling a House With Solar in Illinois guide walks through those issues.
Don't wait until a buyer is already trying to close.
What Happens to Monitoring?
Your solar system may still produce electricity even if the installer disappeared.
But monitoring access can become complicated.
You may need to determine whether the monitoring platform is controlled by:
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Equipment manufacturer
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Installer
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System owner
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Third-party monitoring company
Contact the equipment manufacturer if necessary.
Have:
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Serial numbers
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Site address
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Equipment model
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Proof of ownership
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Previous monitoring email
available.
A new installer may also need to be granted installer-level access depending on the platform.
When Should You File an Illinois Shines Complaint?
If you believe an Approved Vendor, Designee, or other entity violated Illinois Shines Program requirements, Illinois Shines encourages consumers to file a complaint.
Useful documentation can include:
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Company names
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Salesperson names
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Dates
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Contracts
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Disclosure Forms
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Emails
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Text messages
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Photos
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Letters
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Payment records
Illinois Shines currently accepts complaints online through its Consumer Complaint Center.
The Program Administrator can investigate potential Program violations, mediate, require corrective actions, and impose Program consequences such as suspension or revocation.
But there are limits.
Illinois Shines itself explains that the Program Administrator cannot necessarily force a company to provide any specific remedy and doesn't have authority to prosecute criminal liability.
That's why other regulators or legal remedies can sometimes be relevant depending on the issue.
Don't Throw Away Your Solar Documents
One of the clearest lessons from stranded projects is:
Keep your paperwork.
Before going solar, save copies of:
-
Proposal
-
Disclosure Form
-
Installation contract
-
Loan/PPA/lease agreement
-
Equipment list
-
Warranties
-
Change orders
-
Inspection documents
-
Utility approvals
-
Illinois Shines information
-
Emails
-
Payment records
If everything goes perfectly, you may rarely need them.
If something goes wrong five years later, they can become extremely valuable.
Our Solar Quote Checklist explains what you should understand before signing in the first place.
How Can You Reduce the Risk Before Going Solar?
You can't guarantee that a company will exist for the next 25 years.
No business can honestly promise that.
But you can reduce risk.
Understand who the companies are
Know the:
Sales company
Installer
Approved Vendor
Lender
PPA owner
Review Illinois Shines records
Illinois Shines publishes complaint and violation information.
Compare more than one proposal
Don't allow an artificial deadline to eliminate your ability to research.
Understand the warranties
Ask which coverage comes from:
Manufacturer
versus:
Installer.
Keep your own records
Don't assume you'll always be able to retrieve them from the company's customer portal.
Understand ownership
Know whether you're buying, financing, leasing, or entering a PPA.
For more, read our Solar Sales Red Flags in Illinois guide and Before You Go Solar in Illinois checklist.
A Solar Company's Closure Does Not Mean Every Contract Disappears
This is the biggest takeaway.
Suppose your original installer closes.
You could still have:
A functioning solar system
producing electricity every day.
An active loan
being serviced by a separate lender.
An equipment warranty
provided by the manufacturer.
An Illinois Shines application
that needs another Approved Vendor.
A utility interconnection agreement
with Ameren, ComEd, CWLP, or another utility.
A PPA
owned and serviced by another company.
That's why the first reaction shouldn't be:
“Everything is gone.”
It should be:
“Which part of my project needs help?”
That question leads to much better next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first if my Illinois solar installer goes out of business?
Gather your project documents and identify whether the issue involves installation, repair, Illinois Shines application status, financing, a PPA/lease, warranties, or a missing incentive payment. If your project participates in Illinois Shines, check the official Project Lookup Tool and Stranded Customer Resources.
Can another solar installer finish my project?
Potentially. Illinois Shines maintains a shortlist of qualified installer Designees willing to assist stranded customers. The new installer may need to inspect the existing work and may charge for completion or repairs.
Can another company take over my Illinois Shines application?
Potentially. Illinois Shines maintains a shortlist of Approved Vendors willing to assist stranded customers. Whether an application can be transferred or continued depends on the project's application and contract status and other Program requirements.
Does my solar loan disappear if the installer closes?
Generally, don't assume so. Solar lenders and installers are often separate companies. Contact your current lender or servicer and review your agreement.
Does my PPA end if the installer shuts down?
Not necessarily. The company that owns or services the PPA system may be separate from the installer. Review the contract and contact the current system owner or servicer.
Are my solar panels still under warranty?
Possibly. Manufacturer warranties can remain even if the installer goes out of business, but labor, workmanship, removal, shipping, and reinstallation may be treated separately. Review the actual warranty terms.
What is the Illinois Solar Restitution Program?
It's an Illinois consumer-protection program providing potential financial compensation for certain qualifying harms. Under current Phases I and II, it focuses on customers who were promised some or all of an Illinois Shines REC incentive pass-through payment but did not receive the full promised amount.
Does restitution cover unfinished solar installations?
Not automatically. Current restitution phases focus on particular incentive-payment harms. Installation completion is generally addressed through the stranded-customer assistance process.
What is the Stranded Customer REC Adder?
It's additional REC value that may be available to qualifying Approved Vendors taking on stranded projects to compensate them for added cost, work, and risk. It isn't automatically a payment to the homeowner.
Where can I file an Illinois Shines complaint?
Use the official Illinois Shines Consumer Complaint Center.
If Your Solar Company Disappears, Start With Facts—not Panic
A stranded project can be frustrating.
But there may still be options.
Start by determining:
Who sold the project?
Who installed it?
Who is the Approved Vendor?
Who owns the equipment?
Who holds the financing?
Where is the Illinois Shines application?
Which warranties still exist?
What exactly remains unfinished?
Then use the correct path for that problem.
A new installer may help with the physical system.
A new Approved Vendor may help with the Illinois Shines application.
The Solar Restitution Program may help with certain missing promised incentive payments.
A manufacturer may help with covered equipment failures.
A lender or PPA servicer may continue handling the financial contract.
The important thing is not to treat all of those relationships as one company.
Thinking About Solar? Protect Your Future Self
At LuNova Solar, we believe homeowners should understand not only how solar works when everything goes right—but also who is responsible if something goes wrong.
Before signing, know:
Who owns the equipment.
Who installs it.
Who submits the Illinois Shines application.
Who provides the warranties.
Who finances it.
Who services it.
And which documents you need to keep.
SEE IF SOLAR MAKES SENSE FOR YOUR HOME
No pressure.
Just better information before you make a long-term decision.
Related Illinois Solar Guides
10 Solar Sales Red Flags Illinois Homeowners Should Know
I Got a Solar Quote. Now What? 10 Numbers to Check Before Signing
Before You Go Solar in Illinois: 7 Things Every Homeowner Should Check
Illinois Solar Incentives in 2026
What Is a Solar PPA? The Illinois Homeowner's Guide
Selling a House With Solar in Illinois
Solar Battery or No Battery? What Illinois Homeowners Actually Need
Illinois Solar Financing Options
Illinois Solar Questions & Answers
Sources & References
Illinois Shines — Help for Stranded Customers
Illinois Shines — Project Status Lookup
Illinois Shines — Solar Restitution Program
Illinois Shines — Escrow Process
Illinois Shines — Consumer Complaint Center
Illinois Shines — Consumer Protection & Support
Illinois Shines — 2026–27 Program Documents
LuNova Solar provides general educational information and does not provide legal, financial, lending, warranty, insurance, or regulatory advice. Contracts, financing agreements, warranties, Illinois Shines eligibility, restitution eligibility, application-transfer options, utility requirements, and project circumstances vary. Homeowners should review their actual agreements and current program information and consult the applicable company, lender, utility, manufacturer, Program Administrator, regulator, or qualified professional as appropriate.
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