Illinois ranks #22 in America for savings from installing solar panels on your home
Our complete guide to solar power in Illinois
Solar power in Illinois
Solar power is an excellent investment for your home in Illinois with Net metering and 30% of the cost being covered with the federal tex credit solar is an excellent idea. Besides from reducing carbon emissions you also reduce how much you spend on power. A system in Illinois can pay for itself in only ten years while that seems like a while you then have free power! A bill has also been passed meaning Illinois will also have an SREC program likely within the next 30 days.
Get in today while these amazing incentives last!
Estimate your solar savings
Illinois solar power facts
$3.68
/watt
Average cost of a 5kw solar power system in 2018
Price shown before incentives
5 Years 1 Month
Average payback time
$81,181
Average lifetime savings
Price shown after repayments of capital
7¢
/kWh
levelized cost of solar energy
28¢
/kWh
If you don't get solar
The forecast average utility price over the next 25 years
11,538
kWh
Annual power production
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 9.27kW system
This 9.27kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in Illinois is $150, however your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
Solar companies in Illinois that provide pricing through the Solar-Estimate marketplace
3
Best solar offers currently available in your city
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Illinois
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Illinois
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How much do solar panels cost in Illinois
$3.68 per watt
Cash purchased solar system
Before 30% solar tax credit
$4.08 per watt
Financed solar system
Before 30% solar tax credit
N/A cents/kWh
Lease/PPA
Av. 15 year term, 2.5% price escalator
What are the pros and cons of buying solar panels for your home in Illinois
The advantages of installing solar panels in Illinois is the net metering law and the federal solar tax credit of 30% and almost certainly in the near future an SREC program, all these incentives should be used now while they're still around!
The disadvantage of installing solar panels is that there is less overall solar irradiation in Illinois per year and so a solar system, produces less than it would in some other states. However, incentives are still excellent in Illinois! Calculate the cost and savings you are likely to get from installing solar panels for your home.
Best solar companies in Illinois
Best brands of solar panels
To find the best brands of solar panels you can use America's most trusted solar panel comparison and reviews website, SolarReviews.
However, reviews of solar panels can be a bit meaningless because most consumer owners have not had any issues and so whilst solar company reviews are very important when choosing solar installers they are of less use when choosing solar panels.
For more information to help you make an informed decision about this topic, I would recommend this article about buying solar panels.
Unlock live pricing on the best solar panel brands!
How much electricity will solar panels produce in Illinois
Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.
Around the Chicago area solar panels installed on a south facing 30 degree pitch roof will typically produce:
1,150kWh per year per 1kw of peak DC (direct current) capacity
For more information about how your location, roof direction and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your zipcode below.
See how much electricty your solar panels could produce
I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself
What rebates, solar tax credits and other solar incentives are available in Illinois?
Unfortanely there is no state level tax credit or rebate however, a bill has just passed that introduces and RPS and solar carve out meaning that all utilities in state must source a percentage of energy from solar which creates an SREC market. A typical 5kW system in Illinois will produce about 6mW hours annually which is equal to about 6 SREC's (rate may vary) that your utility must buy from you. Value for these REC's when the program begins is usually around $400 per REC which is huge! This program is also legislated to be in progress for 10 years and even then it may be extended!
Net Metering in Illinois
Net metering is available for all home/business owners in Illinois. The reason for net metering being so important is that solar produces the most during the day when most people are out the house, this excess power is exported to the grid and the customer recieves retail value for that power in the for of a credit on your bill. If you go over your bill balance then that's money in your pocket.
Simplified Illinois Interconnection guidelines
Illinois has state interconnection guidelines so connecting to the grid and taking advantage of net metering isn't too difficult. Even if it were complicated your local solar pros know what to do and will sort it out for you.
Illinois Solar Calculator
Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in Illinois we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information your require.
You can either use our full monty solar calculator that shows you everything you could possibly want to know or you can use one of our range of smaller calculators for specific solar calculations that focus on providing you only with the specific information you require.
What you can find out about installing solar panels in Illinois using our full monty solar calculator
This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:
- What size solar system do you need?
Answers the question of How many solar panels do I need? - How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels
- Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt hours) you can expect from your solar system in Illinois
- The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.
- Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in Illinois or Chicago ;
- The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.
- Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero down PPA or third party lease product.
If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.
Unlock live pricing in your state!
Going solar in Illinois
Check out all of the ways energy providers of Illinois can help you be more energy efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) | State | Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Your city may have further incentives to offer. Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives are the solar installers who specialize in your area.