Is solar worth it in Illinois?

Illinois is worth pricing when the roof is usable and the offer shows both the utility tariff and any Illinois Shines payment on the disclosure form. It is a weak fit when the price only works if delivery charges disappear or if a credit payment is assumed without that form.

Supply-only net metering

For new residential customers of ComEd, Ameren, and MidAmerican after January 1, 2025, Illinois Shines describes net metering as supply-only. Supply can be netted. Delivery charges are still billed on electricity pulled from the grid. Older systems may keep full retail treatment. A 2023 savings chart is not evidence for a 2026 interconnection. Chicago is ComEd. Peoria is Ameren. Naperville is often the municipal utility.

Illinois Shines is a contract

The Illinois Power Agency sets REC prices by program year. Vendors disclose the amount. Customers generally transfer the RECs. Whether that value shows up as a lower price is the contract. We do not promise you will be accepted or paid. Read Illinois Shines explained.

Winter

Chicago winters are cloudy and snow sits on flat roofs. The 2025 EIA average was 17.67 cents per kWh. That is the calculator's input, not a ComEd rate. Run the estimate, then make the proposal replace it with the tariff and the disclosure form.