The funding and provision of solar energy systems shall be a valid service and purpose of a public energy supplier within its service area, as defined in Section 3.17 of the Electric Supplier Act, except that no individual, corporation, institution or unit of government shall be barred from funding or providing a solar energy system within the service area of any public energy supplier. For the purpose of this Act, the term "service area" shall apply to gas suppliers.
30 ILCS 725/7.4