Illinois · 2 cities covered
How Illinois credits home solar, which utilities follow which rules, and a free consultation with one local specialist.
The rules
Starting January 1, 2025, new net metering customers of Illinois electric utilities receive credit only against the supply portion of the bill, while systems registered before that date keep full retail rate net metering for the life of the system. Public Act 104-0458, effective June 1, 2026, also directed electricity providers to allow net metering for qualifying energy storage systems.
The residential solar credit (section 25D) ended for systems completed after 2025. Confirm your own situation with a tax professional.
Utilities
Your utility decides how your solar is credited. Check the name on your electric bill.
Where we work
Each city page covers the local utility, how it credits solar, and who issues permits.
Questions
Yes. Electric utilities such as ComEd and Ameren Illinois must still offer net metering, but for customers who applied on or after January 1, 2025, excess solar power is credited against supply charges rather than the whole bill. The customer chooses a kilowatt hour credit or a monetary credit when applying, and unused credits carry forward to later bills.
Systems registered for net metering before January 1, 2025 keep full retail rate net metering for the life of the system, even if the customer changes electricity suppliers or the home changes owners.
They follow 220 ILCS 5/17-900 instead, and their policies may differ from the rules for investor owned utilities. Each sets its own policy, which must give fair credit for excess energy and let residential and small commercial customers connect renewable systems up to and including 25 kilowatts AC.
The federal residential clean energy credit, section 25D, ended for home solar expenditures made after December 31, 2025, under the law signed July 4, 2025. The IRS treats the expenditure as made when installation is completed, so a system completed in 2026 does not qualify even if it was paid for earlier.
No. The consultation is free for homeowners, and there is no obligation to buy anything.
Our team confirms a few details with you, then one local solar company for your area contacts you to set up the visit. Your request never goes to a list.
Rules and programs change, so confirm current terms with your utility before you decide.
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