Solar Quotes in Illinois
Net metering changed on January 1, 2025
- For ComEd, Ameren and MidAmerican residential customers who interconnect new systems on or after January 1, 2025, full retail net metering is no longer available. Credits now cover supply charges only, and you still pay delivery charges on everything you pull from the grid. Source: illinoisshines.com (Illinois Shines Program Administrator for the Illinois Power Agency; accessed 2026-10-20)
Illinois Shines (Illinois Power Agency)
- Illinois Shines pays for Renewable Energy Credits. Residential applications must be submitted by an Approved Vendor, and vendors "are not required to pass through any of the Illinois Shines incentive to customers." Check your Disclosure Form. Source: same FAQ (accessed 2026-10-20)
Utility rebates (ComEd and Ameren)
- ComEd and Ameren offer a distributed generation rebate of $300/kW for residential solar and a storage rebate of $300/kWh. The storage rebate requires hourly pricing or demand-response participation. Source: same FAQ (accessed 2026-10-20); confirm current values with your utility.
- The program itself says: "You are not guaranteed to save money unless your contract with your solar provider includes an explicit guarantee." Source: same FAQ (accessed 2026-10-20)
Is solar worth it in Illinois?
It depends on your bill, roof and utility rules. Here is an estimate for a home with a $150 monthly electric bill and a south-facing, unshaded roof, before any incentives:
- Residential electricity averaged an estimated 19.22¢/kWh in Illinois (January–July 2026), above the U.S. average of 18.19¢ (16 of 51, highest first). Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Small rooftop systems in Illinois produced an estimated 1,364 kWh per kW of panels in 2024 (2024 small-scale solar generation divided by average 2023–2024 small-scale capacity). Source: EIA Electric Power Annual 2024, Tables 3.21 and 4.7.B (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Estimated system size: 5.1–6.9 kW, producing about 8,184 kWh a year (estimated).
- Estimated installed cost: $18,000–$31,200 before incentives, using $3.00–$5.20 per watt. Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2024 installed prices, 20th–80th percentile; accessed 2026-10-20)
- Estimated simple payback: 10–23 years. Savings depend on how your utility credits exported energy (see above).
Estimates only, based on public data and simple assumptions. Actual production, cost, and savings vary by home, utility, rate plan, and installer. Not a quote, and not a guarantee of savings. Ask your installer about any state, local, or utility incentives that apply. State and local programs: DSIRE.
Run the numbers for your home with the solar calculator
A note on the federal tax credit
The federal residential clean energy credit (25D) doesn't apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025. The IRS treats an expenditure as made when installation is completed. Source: irs.gov (accessed 2026-10-20). This page isn't tax advice.
Get one quote from one installer
Request a free quote. SolarMatchup sends your request to exactly one local installer and never resells it. We don't guarantee savings or incentive eligibility. Results depend on your home, usage, rates and financing.