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Solar energy in Rockford
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Solar Installers in Rockford, CA

Rockford averages 4.3 peak sun hours daily, and while slightly less sunny than central Illinois, Illinois Shines SREC incentives and rising ComEd rates make solar+battery a strong investment for Winnebago County homeowners.

Average System Cost
$38,500
11 kW system
Annual Savings
$1,580
Per year
Peak Sun Hours
4.3
Per day

Top Solar Companies Serving Rockford

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Featured

Powur PBC

Del Mar, CA

3.3

500 reviews

Powur PBC is a B-Corp certified solar marketplace and MLM company that connects customers with solar installation partners across 22 states. Operating since 2014, Powur uses independent consultants for sales and subcontracts installation work to regional partners.

Experience:19 years
Warranty:30 years
BBB Rating:A+
Model:marketplace

Certasun

Buffalo Grove, IL

4.7

320 reviews

Certasun is the highest-volume residential solar installer in Illinois, verified through Illinois Shines project application data. Headquartered in Buffalo Grove, they serve the entire Chicago metro and northern Illinois. Every aspect of the project — sales, design, permitting, installation, and incentive processing — is handled in-house with no subcontractors. They guarantee system production over its lifetime and process all Illinois Shines SREC payments and ComEd DG rebates on behalf of customers. Certasun also offers Prio, a prepaid solar service product designed for ComEd customers navigating post-ITC economics.

Experience:7 years
Warranty:25 years
BBB Rating:A+

Windfree Solar

Chicago, IL

4.2

95 reviews

Windfree Solar is one of Chicago's oldest and most experienced solar installers, founded in 2009 with over 25MW of solar installed across residential, commercial, school, and municipal projects. They are NABCEP-credentialed, ICC-approved for both DG solar and EV charging, and are one of only two IPA-selected installers for the Solar Chicago low-income equity program. Best known for handling technically complex or custom projects that other installers pass on, and for deep SREC and incentive program expertise. Some project management inconsistencies noted in reviews for standard residential work.

Experience:16 years
Warranty:25 years
BBB Rating:A

Ailey Solar

Chicago, IL

4.7

68 reviews

Ailey Solar is Chicago's only unionized residential solar contractor, founded by Jack Ailey and Dorian Breuer with the goal of bringing safe, affordable solar to all of Chicago. They are NABCEP-certified, ISEA members, and are one of only two IPA-approved installers selected for the Solar Chicago program, which provides low-cost solar to hundreds of Chicago residents. Ailey has notable commercial work including the Bronzeville Solar Pyramid and Fleet Fields in Lincoln Yards. A strong choice for customers who prioritize labor standards, equity program access, or Chicago-rooted community commitment.

Experience:8 years
Warranty:25 years
BBB Rating:A

Disclaimer: Company rankings are based on publicly available data including customer reviews, BBB ratings, years in business, and service offerings as of February 2, 2026. Featured companies may include paid placements.

Local Solar Information

ComEd serves Rockford under Smart Solar Billing. Export credits are ~6.8¢/kWh on supply charges only. Winnebago County has streamlined solar permitting. Illinois Shines SREC program and ComEd DG rebates help significantly offset system costs.

Utility Company

Commonwealth Edison (ComEd)

Average Rate: $0.16/kWh

Smart Solar Billing (effective Jan 1, 2025). New solar customers receive export credits applied to supply and transmission charges only — not delivery. Credits roll over monthly and settle at avoided cost at end of annual cycle. Legacy customers who completed installation by Dec 31, 2024 retain full retail net metering for the life of their system. Supply rates are elevated (9.5–10.5¢/kWh) through May 2026 due to the 2024 PJM capacity auction spike; total all-in residential rate is approximately 15–16¢/kWh including delivery. A CEJA Carbon-Free Energy Resource Adjustment (CFRA) credit of ~4¢/kWh partially offsets supply costs for non-solar customers. ComEd launched a new Delivery Time-of-Day (DTOD) rate in February 2026 offering set delivery pricing across four daily time periods.

Solar panels on residential roof

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do solar panels cost in Rockford?

A solar+battery system in Rockford averages $38,550 for an 11kW solar system paired with a 10kWh battery. Illinois Shines incentives can reduce net costs by 40–55%.

Is Rockford good for solar?

Yes. Rockford gets 4.3 peak sun hours per day, and Illinois' strong incentive programs make solar financially viable even in northern Illinois.

How much can I save with solar in Rockford?

Rockford homeowners with a solar+battery system typically save $1,580 annually on electricity bills under Smart Solar Billing.

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