Illinois Shines SREC program offers serious money for solar owners. ComEd's net metering is solid. Here's how to maximize both.
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Here's what makes Illinois solar interesting: The Illinois Shines SREC program pays you for every MWh your system produces for 15 years. Combined with decent ComEd net metering and relatively affordable install costs, the economics work better than most Midwest states. I've tracked SREC pricing since the program launched.
If you're paying ComEd rates in Chicago (or Ameren rates downstate), solar delivers solid 6-8 year paybacks. The real win is locking in fixed electricity costs while ComEd rates continue climbing 3-5% annually.
| Incentive | Type | Amount | Status | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal ITC (Solar Tax Credit) | Federal tax credit | 30% of system cost | Active | Dec 2032 (steps down) |
| Illinois Shines SREC | Performance incentive | $65-85/MWh for 15 years | Active | Block system (declining pricing) |
| Net Metering | Export credit | Full retail rate credit | Active | Ongoing |
| Property Tax Exemption | Tax exemption | 100% for solar equipment | Active | Ongoing |
| Sales Tax Exemption | Tax exemption | 100% on solar equipment | Active | Ongoing |
| Chicago Solar Express | City rebate | Up to $2,000 | Limited budget | When funds exhausted |
| ComEd Energy Efficiency | Rebate program | Various efficiency rebates | Available | Ongoing |
SREC pricing varies by block and decreases as program capacity fills. Current rates shown for Block 2 residential systems.
The Illinois Shines program is what makes solar economics work in a state with moderate electricity rates. You get paid for every megawatt-hour (MWh) your system produces for 15 years. It's separate from your net metering savings.
On a typical 8 kW system producing 9,600 kWh (9.6 MWh) per year:
Pro tip: Your installer handles most of the Illinois Shines paperwork, but make sure they submit your application promptly after installation to lock in current block pricing.
Your SREC rate is locked when your system interconnects. Get quotes now to secure today's pricing.
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| System size | Gross cost | After 30% ITC | Annual savings est. | Payback (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW (small home) | $11,800 | $8,260 | ~$975/yr | ~8.5 years |
| 6 kW (average home) | $17,700 | $12,390 | ~$1,463/yr | ~8.5 years |
| 8 kW (typical larger home) | $23,600 | $16,520 | ~$1,950/yr | ~8.5 years |
| 10 kW (large home) | $29,500 | $20,650 | ~$2,438/yr | ~8.5 years |
| + Battery storage (13.5 kWh) | +$13,000-$16,000 | +$9,100-$11,200 | +$150-$300/yr | Extended 5-6 yrs |
Savings include SREC payments ($78/MWh for 15 years) plus ComEd net metering. Chicago Solar Express rebate not included (up to $2,000).
| Installer | Coverage | Avg rating | Licensed | My notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrun | Statewide | 4.0/5 (800 reviews) | Verified | Largest installer. Good Illinois Shines experience. |
| SunPower | Chicago metro | 4.2/5 (600 reviews) | Verified | Premium option. Strong warranty coverage. |
| Tesla Energy | Chicago, suburbs | 3.8/5 (400 reviews) | Verified | Competitive pricing, online process only. |
| Certasun | Chicagoland | 4.6/5 (300 reviews) | Verified | Top regional pick. Excellent local service. |
| Solar Service Inc. | Central Illinois | 4.8/5 (150 reviews) | Verified | Best for downstate. Family-owned since 1979. |
Rating data aggregated from Google Reviews and EnergySage. Updated Q1 2026.
Illinois installers vary widely on SREC program knowledge. Get multiple quotes to find experts who maximize your incentives.
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ComEd serves most of northern Illinois including Chicago. Their net metering program is more straightforward than many utilities - you get full retail rate credit for excess generation with monthly rollover.
Bottom line: ComEd's net metering policy is solar-friendly. Combined with Illinois Shines SRECs, you're getting paid twice for every kWh your system produces.
Pro tip: Chicago's solar potential is better than many homeowners think. Even with some shading, north-facing roofs can be productive with the right system design.
Your utility, roof orientation, and local rebates all affect the math. Get personalized estimates.
Use our Illinois solar calculator →Install costs from EnergySage quarterly reports. Electricity rates from US EIA. SREC prices from Illinois Power Agency program data. Peak sun hours from NREL PVWatts. Net metering rules from ComEd and Ameren rate schedules. Last update: March 20, 2026.