Illinois Electric Rates Are Spiking in 2026: Is Solar Worth It?

Illinois electric bills have jumped hard this year. If you've opened a ComEd or Ameren statement recently and felt a jolt that had nothing to do with your thermostat, you're not imagining it — delivery and supply charges across the state have climbed sharply since 2021, and the summer 2026 rate reset made it official. That spike is exactly why more Illinois homeowners are running the numbers on solar right now, even after the federal tax credit landscape shifted at the end of 2025.

Here's what's actually happening with Illinois solar panels cost 2026, which incentives are still on the table, how net metering has changed, and whether solar is worth it in Illinois this year.

Illinois Electric Rates Are Spiking — Here's the Number

The "Price to Compare" — the supply portion utilities publish each season — reset higher for summer 2026:

• ComEd: 10.399 cents per kWh effective June 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026
• Ameren Illinois: 11.326 cents per kWh for the first 800 kWh, also effective June 1, 2026

Those numbers only cover electricity supply, though. Once you add delivery charges, taxes, and fixed fees, all-in residential rates in Illinois now average roughly 15–17 cents per kWh — with ComEd customers paying closer to 17 cents and Ameren customers around 15.5 cents. Statewide, electricity rates are up an estimated 47–94% since 2021. For a typical household using 800–1,000 kWh a month, that translates into real year-over-year increases on every single bill, whether or not usage changes at all.

That trend is the single biggest argument for going solar in Illinois in 2026: a home solar system locks in a big chunk of your electricity cost at today's installation price, insulating you from the next rate reset.

Illinois Solar Panels Cost 2026: What to Expect

Illinois solar pricing has held fairly steady this year, with most installers quoting between $3.00 and $3.15 per watt before any incentives. For context:

• A common 7.2 kW residential system runs roughly $21,600–$22,700 before incentives
• A smaller 5 kW system lands closer to $15,000–$15,800
• Larger 9–10 kW systems for higher-usage homes run $27,000–$31,000

Panel efficiency, roof complexity, and whether you add battery storage all move these numbers. For a full size-by-size breakdown and local installer pricing, see our Illinois solar cost guide.

Illinois Solar Incentives Still Worth Claiming in 2026

The 30% federal residential solar tax credit (the ITC) expired December 31, 2025 for cash and loan purchases. It's a meaningful change, but Illinois still has some of the strongest state-level solar incentives in the country layered on top:

Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program) — SREC Payments

Through Illinois Shines, homeowners earn Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) for the clean energy their system produces, paid out over roughly 15 years. Current residential (0–10 kW) block pricing runs approximately $65–$80 per REC, depending on your utility territory and which pricing block is active when you enroll. This is separate from your electricity savings — it's direct income for going solar, and it's one of the more generous SREC programs nationally.

Property Tax Exemption

Illinois exempts solar installations from property tax reassessment. Solar panels can add $15,000–$25,000 to a home's resale value, but by filing form PTAX-330 with your county assessor, that added value won't increase your annual property tax bill.

Illinois Solar for All (Low-Income Program)

Households at or below 80% of their area median income (roughly under $65,000 for a single-person Cook County household in the 2025–2026 program year) may qualify for free or deeply discounted installations through Illinois Solar for All.

Federal Tax Credit — Still Available via Lease or PPA

While the 30% ITC no longer applies to cash or loan purchases, homeowners who go solar through a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) can still access the underlying federal incentive through 2027, since the credit flows to the system owner (the leasing company) rather than the homeowner directly. That's made lease and PPA offers noticeably more competitive in Illinois this year.

Explore all current programs in detail on our Illinois solar incentives page.

Net Metering in Illinois: What Changed

Net metering is one area where Illinois rules shifted meaningfully, and it's worth understanding before you sign a contract.

• Systems installed and fully documented by December 31, 2024 are grandfathered into full retail net metering for the 30-year life of the system — no changes for these homeowners.
• Systems interconnected starting January 1, 2025 fall under supply-only net metering. Export credits now apply only to the supply portion of your bill, not delivery charges or fixed fees.
• In ComEd territory, new solar customers currently receive a credit of roughly 6.5 cents per kWh for exported electricity.

Because supply is typically only about half to two-thirds of a total electric bill, exported energy is worth less than it used to be under the old full-retail model. This makes system sizing and self-consumption — using more of your solar output directly rather than exporting it — more important than ever, and it's part of why battery storage is gaining traction alongside new Illinois solar installs. Check current net metering Illinois terms for your specific utility before finalizing a quote.

Is Solar Worth It in Illinois in 2026?

Between rising utility rates, strong SREC income through Illinois Shines, the property tax exemption, and lease/PPA access to the federal credit, the financial case for Illinois solar remains solid even in a post-ITC-purchase landscape — it just requires comparing your options more carefully than in past years.

A few rules of thumb:

• If your utility bills keep climbing and you plan to stay in your home 7+ years, a cash or loan-financed system paired with SREC income can still pay for itself faster than you'd expect, especially with 2026's higher electricity rates padding your monthly savings.
• If upfront cost is the barrier, a solar lease or PPA lets you access the federal incentive indirectly and start saving from day one with $0 down.
• If you're income-qualified, Illinois Solar for All can make solar essentially free.

Run your specific numbers — roof size, usage, and utility territory all matter — using our free Illinois solar estimator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is solar worth it in Illinois in 2026? Yes, for most homeowners. Rising ComEd and Ameren rates, Illinois Shines SREC payments, and the property tax exemption combine to make solar financially attractive, though the math now depends more on your financing choice (cash/loan vs. lease/PPA) since the 30% federal tax credit no longer applies to direct purchases.

How much do solar panels cost in Illinois in 2026? Most Illinois homeowners pay between $3.00 and $3.15 per watt before incentives, meaning a typical 7.2 kW system costs roughly $21,600–$22,700 before SREC income and other savings are factored in.

Did net metering change in Illinois? Yes. Systems interconnected after December 31, 2024 receive supply-only net metering rather than full retail credit, while earlier systems are grandfathered at full net metering for 30 years.

What Illinois solar incentives are available in 2026? Homeowners can access Illinois Shines SREC payments, a property tax exemption via form PTAX-330, Illinois Solar for All for income-qualified households, and the federal tax credit indirectly through solar lease or PPA financing.

Is the federal solar tax credit still available in Illinois? The 30% residential ITC expired December 31, 2025 for cash and loan purchases. It remains available through 2027 for homeowners who choose a solar lease or PPA, since the credit is claimed by the system owner rather than the homeowner.

Get Your Free Illinois Solar Quote

Electric rates in Illinois aren't trending down anytime soon. Whether you're weighing a cash purchase, exploring Illinois Shines SREC income, or comparing $0-down lease options, the fastest way to know what solar would actually cost — and save — at your address is to compare quotes from local installers. Get free, no-obligation solar quotes from top-rated Illinois companies and see your real numbers today.