IL · Solar + Battery

Solar + battery installation in Illinois

Battery-coupled solar is the package that closes most often in Illinois. Federal Clean Tech ITC (30%) on storage stacks with state net metering. Free quote, ~2 minutes.

Get my free solar + battery quote
7.5 kW
Average system size
$2.85/W
Average cost (USD)
8 yrs
Average payback
200+
Local installers

Why solar in Illinois

Illinois homeowners are going solar to cut a rising ComEd or Ameren Illinois bill, and the state has one of the stronger solar incentive stacks in the Midwest. Illinois Shines (the Adjustable Block Program) lets Approved Vendors pass REC incentive payments on to you through reduced installation pricing, and both major utilities credit the power your panels send back through net metering. Note that the 30 percent federal residential tax credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so most 2026 homeowner purchases cannot claim it; a lease or PPA may let the provider pass through part of the business credit. With an 8-year average payback and a large installer network across Chicago, the suburbs, and downstate markets, Illinois is one of the better places in the country to go solar. We are a matching service: describe your home and we connect you with vetted local installers who compete for your project, we do not install ourselves.

Incentives & rebates

Net metering: Net metering (ICC-regulated, ComEd and Ameren Illinois)

Illinois requires investor-owned utilities to offer net metering under Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) rules. Excess power your panels send to the grid is credited against what you draw at other times. ComEd and Ameren Illinois are the two major providers serving most of the state. Illinois net metering rules have been subject to ongoing ICC proceedings as part of broader distributed generation policy updates, so credit rates and program terms can change. Your installer confirms the current net-metering tariff and any applicable charges for your utility before your project is quoted.

Related Illinois resources

Battery + Storage

Why solar + battery in Illinois

Illinois homeowners are going solar to cut a rising ComEd or Ameren Illinois bill, and the state has one of the stronger solar incentive stacks in the Midwest. Illinois Shines (the Adjustable Block Program) lets Approved Vendors pass REC incentive payments on to you through reduced installation pricing, and both major utilities credit the power your panels send back through net metering. Note that the 30 percent federal residential tax credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so most 2026 homeowner purchases cannot claim it; a lease or PPA may let the provider pass through part of the business credit. With an 8-year average payback and a large installer network across Chicago, the suburbs, and downstate markets, Illinois is one of the better places in the country to go solar. We are a matching service: describe your home and we connect you with vetted local installers who compete for your project, we do not install ourselves.

✓ Federal Clean Tech ITC 30% on storage ✓ Outage resilience

Start your Illinois quote

Tell us where your home is and we will match you with a vetted local installer.

How payback works in Illinois

System cost
$21,375
Estimated net cost
$21,375
Estimated payback
~13.2 years
25-year net savings
~$19,125

These figures are illustrative; your actual quote reflects your roof, sun exposure, and local utility rates.

Cities we serve in Illinois

9cities with vetted local solar + battery installers.

Frequently asked questions

How much do solar panels cost in Illinois?
A typical Illinois home solar system runs around $2.85 per watt installed, so a 7.5 kW system costs roughly $21,375 before incentives. Illinois Shines REC payments passed through by an Approved Vendor can reduce the effective cost depending on the installer and current block availability; ask any installer for their Disclosure Form showing how much they are passing on. The 30 percent federal residential tax credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so most 2026 homeowner purchases cannot claim it. Your actual quote depends on roof type, shading, how much of the Shines payment the installer passes on, and your utility.
What solar incentives are available in Illinois?
Illinois has one of the stronger incentive stacks in the Midwest. Illinois Shines (the Adjustable Block Program) pays REC incentives to Approved Vendors, who can pass those savings on through reduced installation pricing; ask any installer for their Disclosure Form showing exactly how much they are passing on. Both ComEd and Ameren Illinois offer net metering under ICC rules, so excess generation offsets future bills. Income-eligible homeowners can also check Illinois Solar for All for additional savings guarantees. The 30 percent federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so most 2026 homeowner purchases cannot claim it; if you go solar through a lease or PPA the provider may still pass through part of the business credit. Confirm eligibility with your installer and a tax advisor.
Is solar worth it in Illinois?
For most Illinois homeowners, yes. A 7.5 kW system at current costs typically pays back in around 8 years, led by Illinois Shines savings passed through by the installer and ongoing net metering credits, then continues producing for 17 or more years after that. The Chicago area and downstate Illinois both get enough sun to make solar worthwhile, and the state has a large enough installer market that competition keeps pricing competitive. Pairing panels with a battery adds backup value if your area sees outages. We connect you with vetted installers who model your specific roof, utility rate, and usage so you see real numbers before committing.