Is Solar Worth It in Illinois?

7 factors to consider before getting solar panels in Illinois

1. Solar panel installation costs

2. Your energy consumption

3. Illinois solar incentives

4. Net metering buyback rates

5. How you pay

6. The solar company you hire

7. How long you plan to stay in your house

1. Solar panel installation costs

Solar panel costs in Illinois are comparable to the national average. A typical Illinois household needs a 11.56 kW system to offset its electricity needs with solar energy, which costs $34,449 before considering any incentives.

Most installers set the price according to the system's wattage, with a typical cost between $2.50 and $5 per watt. “Cost per watt” is a little like looking at the price per square foot when you buy a house. It helps you compare the value of solar energy systems in different sizes. In Illinois, the average cost per watt is only $2.98.

Average solar panel costs by system size in Illinois

Consider a solar battery

Solar battery costs are generally between $7,000 and $18,000. Getting a solar battery might be strategic if net billing rates continue to decline in Illinois. That way, you can store energy at home instead of tapping into the local grid when you need to.

2. Your current energy consumption

Look at your most recent utility bills to see how much electricity your house needs each month. This tells you what size and capacity your solar system needs to be.

Once you know your current energy consumption, you can calculate your potential savings and the time it should take for your solar installation to pay for itself. In Illinois, solar panels usually pay for themselves within 9.4 years.

3. Illinois solar incentives

The residential federal solar tax credit expired at the end of 2025, so new residential systems installed in 2026 no longer qualify. But Illinois still has a few programs that can help lower the cost:

• Illinois Solar for All helps income-qualified households get rooftop or community solar at a lower cost.

• Ameren Illinois and ComEd offer eligible customers $300 per kW for solar and $300 per kWh for battery storage.

• Illinois Shines pays installers and other Approved Vendors for the RECs a system produces. Depending on your contract, some or all of that value may be passed on to you.

Pro tip

Eligibility and program requirements vary, so ask your installer which incentives you qualify for and how they affect your final price.

» MORE: Illinois solar incentives

4. Net metering rates in Illinois

Illinois doesn’t have one statewide solar buyback rate. If your system qualified for net metering before 2025, you may still get full-retail credits for the life of the system.

Newer systems get less-generous credits. You can still earn bill credits for extra solar power you send to the grid, but those credits generally don’t cover delivery charges.

That means it can pay to use more of your solar power at home — or store it in a battery for later — instead of sending it back to the grid.

Real-world examples

Signing up for net metering can take some work. Alison in Sycamore said it was difficult to find the information needed for her utility’s application, including system capacity and installer details.

Robert in Evanston said his system produces more electricity than he uses, helping keep his electric bill around $20 a month. Still, he wished ComEd gave him more back for the extra power he sends to the grid: “I am glad that I'm overproducing and adding energy to ComEd, but it would be nice if ComEd gave me something back for it.”

5. How you pay

Most homeowners don't have an extra  $34,449 lying around. That's when solar loans, leases and other agreements come into play.

Solar loans work like any other type of home improvement loan. There’s an application and approval process. You pay it back over time (with interest) each month.

Leasing solar panels lets you set up a system without the high upfront costs. Monthly payments usually range $150 to $250. Agreements last 20 to 25 years.

Similar to leasing, a power purchase agreement (PPA) lets homeowners install solar panels without the upfront costs. You sign a long-term contract with a solar services provider to purchase the electricity generated by the panels at a predetermined rate. The provider owns and maintains the panels throughout the agreement, which usually lasts 10 to 25 years.

6. The solar company you hire

People have had mixed experiences with solar companies. In the best-case scenario, it’s easy to make the switch and you’re happy with the system’s performance. In the worst-case scenario, you end up paying thousands for mid-tier solar equipment from a company with poor customer service and no follow-up or support.

One of the most common complaints is related to pushy sales reps who make promises that can’t be delivered. That’s why it’s so important to thoroughly research and verify claims made by sales teams before making a decision.

Use NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house — just type in your address. Project Sunroof is a free solar savings estimator powered by Google Earth imagery.

Monthly costs: solar payments vs. savings

Compare your expected solar payment and remaining utility bill with what you pay for electricity now. Also consider interest, fees and total loan costs

7. How long you plan to stay in your house

It takes years for electric bill savings to make up for the initial cost. Solar panels typically pay for themselves within 9.4 years in Illinois. If you sell your house and move before then, you might not fully realize the financial benefits of your solar investment.

Solar panels last 25 to 30 years.

One study found that, on average, houses with solar panels sell for 4.1% more. Let’s say you spend $25,000 putting solar panels on a house that costs $400,000. It might sell for $16,400 more in a few years. But you miss out on some of that $57,382 in total avoided utility costs over 25 years.

In other words, don't get solar panels just because you want to sell your house soon. Instead, consider a home improvement project with a better return on investment, like remodeling the bathroom or kitchen.

Is my house a good candidate for solar panels?

Going solar ends up being worth it for many homeowners as long as their house is a good candidate to support a solar panel installation. Here’s what to think about before you commit:

• How old are my appliances? The first step is to ensure that your electrical loads are as small as possible. If you have an older refrigerator or air conditioning unit, for instance, it’s smart to upgrade those before investing in solar panels. That way, you can get a smaller system, which will be cheaper overall.
• How much sunlight do I get? Solar panels need regular exposure to sunlight to produce the most energy possible. Illinois averages three to five peak sun hours each day. However, lots of shading — like trees or tall buildings above your roof — could make your solar system less efficient.
• What is the size and angle of my roof? Illinois (and the rest of the United States) is in the northern hemisphere, so solar panels perform best on south-facing roofs. The worst place to install would be on north-facing roofs, especially if those roofs have a high pitch. For example, if the only place you can install is a north-facing roof with a 30-degree pitch, your costs will likely go up by 30% to 40%.
• What is the condition of my roof? If you have to replace your roof, do that before you install solar panels. Solar panels are designed to last up to 30 years, so you want your roof to last just as long. Otherwise, it could cost thousands to remove the panels, fix your roof and reinstall the panels again.

Pros and cons of solar panels in Illinois

It’s a common misconception that solar panels will completely eliminate your monthly power bill — this is not always the case. Still, you’ll likely be paying much less than you would for traditional utility bills.

Find solar companies in Illinois

A good solar company helps you navigate local incentives, permitting and net metering policies. Compare our picks for the top solar companies in Illinois to learn more.

Illinois solar FAQs

Bottom line: Is going solar in Illinois worth it for you?

Solar panels are generally worth it if you like the idea of cheap, clean energy. The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the solar panels, inverters and other equipment.

On the bright side, once that’s paid for, solar panels can significantly reduce your electricity bills. For many residents, the long-term savings outweigh the upfront costs over time.

For a lot of homeowners, it ends up being worth it as long as their cost savings over time outweigh the initial investment. Others are happy to go solar for the environmental benefits alone.

Solar costs vs. savings: Illinois and nearby states