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Home solar in Illinois

New ComEd and Ameren solar homes now get bill credits on the supply part of the bill only, but a one-time $300 per kW utility rebate and Illinois Shines REC payments (about $61–81 per REC, plus $20 if you own the system) help make up the difference.

Facts checked 2026-11-01, each with a source link below. Programs change often: confirm with your utility, installer and a tax professional before you sign.

19.3¢average home price per kWh (EIA, August 2026)
Strong case for solarNet metering is weaker for systems connected since 2025, but Illinois still pays two large upfront incentives (utility DG rebate and Illinois Shines RECs), and Illinois Shines added a $20/REC bonus in 2026 for customer-owned home systems to replace the lost federal tax credit.

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Net metering Replaced by a lower credit

Homes that began net metering with ComEd, Ameren or MidAmerican on or after January 1, 2025 get 'supply-only' netting: power you send to the grid offsets the supply and transmission part of your bill, but you pay delivery charges on all the power you pull from the grid. Homes on full retail net metering before 2025 keep it for the life of the system, unless they take the DG generation rebate or change the system a lot (a new interconnection with ComEd, or more than doubling size with Ameren). Co-ops and city utilities set their own rules. Source

  • 2024-12-31: last day to start full retail net metering with ComEd/Ameren/MidAmerican
  • 2025-01-01: supply-only net metering starts for new systems

Solar credits (SRECs) Market open

Through the state's Illinois Shines program (Adjustable Block Program), an approved installer sells your system's future RECs (one per 1,000 kWh) to the utility under a 15- or 20-year contract, and the money is usually passed to you as a lower price. 2026-27 prices for home systems are $70.37 (Group A: Ameren, MidAmerican and other MISO-area utilities) or $80.77 (Group B: ComEd and other PJM-area utilities) per REC for 0–10 kW, and $60.92 / $79.21 for 10–25 kW. A new $20 per REC adder applies to customer-owned (not leased) small systems that do not take a federal tax credit. The 2026-27 Small DG block opened June 1, 2026 with 236.71 MW. Source

Rebates and incentives

Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program) REC incentive, Program Year 2026-27

$60.92–$80.77 per REC for home systems up to 25 kW, times the RECs expected over the contract; +$20/REC if customer-owned and no federal credit

Homes and businesses using an Illinois Shines Approved Vendor; system in Illinois

open performance payment Source

ComEd Distributed Generation (DG) Rebate

$300 per kW DC of solar (one-time check within about 90 days of energizing)

ComEd customers; smart inverter required; system up to 5,000 kW. Pre-2025 full net metering customers lose that status if they take it.

open rebate Source

Ameren Illinois DG Smart Inverter Rebate

$300 per kW of inverter nameplate capacity

Ameren Illinois customers; smart inverter required; up to 5,000 kW

open rebate Source

ComEd / Ameren battery storage rebate

$300 per kWh of battery capacity

Battery paired with solar; ComEd requires Hourly Pricing (Rate BESH); Ameren requires Peak Time Rewards or an hourly price plan, binding on the home

open rebate Source

Illinois Solar for All, Residential Solar

Low or no upfront cost solar; savings required by program rules

Income-eligible households (about 80% of area median income or less)

waitlist grant Source

Taxes

Property tax: Partial: home solar can be valued for property tax as if it were a conventional energy system, so it adds little or nothing to your assessment. You must file form PTAX-330 with your county assessor (35 ILCS 200/10-10).
Sales tax: None: Illinois has no sales tax exemption for home solar equipment. Source

Solar laws

  • Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), Public Act 102-0662 (2021). Ended full retail net metering for new ComEd/Ameren/MidAmerican customers from 2025, created the utility DG and storage rebates, and expanded Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All. Source
  • Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), SB 25, Public Act 104-0458 (2026). Signed January 8, 2026, in effect June 1, 2026. Changes Illinois Shines small-system contracts, adds consumer protections, sets a 3,000 MW storage target, and lets Solar for All add batteries ('Storage for All'). Source
  • Homeowners' Energy Policy Statement Act, 765 ILCS 165 (2023). HOAs and condo associations may not ban solar. They must adopt a solar energy policy statement and act on a request within 90 days; if they miss it, the owner may install. Does not cover buildings over 60 feet or shared roofs.

Community solar

Yes: Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All community solar let renters and shaded homes in ComEd, Ameren and MidAmerican areas subscribe to a local solar farm for bill credits.

Timeline

  1. CEJA signed: net metering change and DG rebates set
  2. Supply-only net metering starts for new solar homes
  3. Federal 30% homeowner tax credit (25D) ends
  4. CRGA (Public Act 104-0458) signed
  5. CRGA takes effect; Illinois Shines 2026-27 year opens with new REC prices and $20 customer-owned adder

Federal tax credits

The 30% federal tax credit for homeowners who buy solar (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so buying no longer earns a federal credit. If you lease or sign a power purchase agreement (PPA), the panels belong to a company that may still claim a business credit under federal deadlines that tighten through 2027. Ask your installer whether that savings is in your price.

Sources

Last checked 2026-11-01. Incentives are not guaranteed and can change or run out. Confirm every figure with your utility, installer and a tax professional before you sign. This page is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice.

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