Illinois
Illinois Solar Incentives 2026 — Illinois Shines REC Payments
Illinois Shines buys 15 years of renewable energy credits from new solar through Approved Vendors ($70.37–$80.77 per REC for systems up to 10 kW in 2026-27, plus a $20 adder for customer-owned systems without a federal credit). Customers connecting since 2025 receive supply-only credit for exports.
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Incentive categories
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Program entries
19.89¢
Avg rate / kWh
16.3 yrs
Simple solar payback
$30,566
25-yr net solar savings
Moderate
Solar potential
Solar Incentives in Illinois
Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program)
$70.37–$80.77/REC for ≤10 kW (2026-27) + $20 adder
Buys 15 years of renewable energy credits from new solar through Approved Vendors. For 2026-27, systems up to 10 kW receive $70.37 (Group A) or $80.77 (Group B) per REC, plus a $20/REC adder for customer-owned systems that do not receive a federal tax credit.
Eligibility: Illinois solar projects submitted through an Illinois Shines Approved Vendor.
Heat Pump Incentives in Illinois
ComEd Heat Pump Discount
Up to $2,000
2026 instant discounts of up to $2,000 on air-source and centrally ducted mini-split heat pumps through heat pump-trained contractors (up to $2,075 when bundled with an ENERGY STAR smart thermostat).
Eligibility: ComEd residential customers using a participating contractor.
Federal HEAR Framework (State Availability Varies)
Statutory household cap up to $14,000
Federal law sets measure and household caps, but consumers can use rebates only where the state or territory program is active and funded. A listed cap is not an available award.
Eligibility: Income, equipment, project, state-program, and funding rules apply; confirm availability with the administering state program before purchase.
Get Free Solar Quotes for Your Home
Open the external EnergySage marketplace to request and compare itemized solar proposals.
Your estimated 25-year savings: $30,566
We are not affiliated with EnergySage and receive no commission or referral fee. The button opens an external site; review its terms and privacy policy.
Is Solar Worth It in Illinois?
Illinois is a solid solar market, driven by the Illinois Shines Adjustable Block Program (ABP). The program pays for 15 years of renewable energy credits, which can significantly lower net system cost, on top of the 16.3-year payback in our base planning model. New customers' exports, however, earn only supply-rate credit.
Nationally, EnergySage reports the average U.S. homeowner saves about $60,500 over 25 years by going solar, without the expired federal credit (page updated June 2026). Actual savings vary by state, electricity rate, export rules, and system size.
Key Advantage
For small systems, Illinois Shines pays for 15 years of renewable energy credits as a contract with your Approved Vendor, which often passes the value through as a lower price; ask for the amount in writing.
Watch Out For
Illinois Shines has experienced program pauses and waitlists. Current status should be verified before sizing your system around incentive availability.
Solar Cost & Savings in Illinois (8 kW System)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross install cost | $31,840 |
| Net install cost | $31,840 |
| Annual energy savings | $1,951 |
| Simple payback period | 16.3 years |
| 25-year net savings | $30,566 |
The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) is not available for expenditures after Dec 31, 2025 and is not included above. State and utility incentives may still apply and are listed separately.
* Planning example for an 8 kW system: $3.98/W installed (LBNL 2024 national median; no state-specific sample), 4.2 peak sun hrs/day, one 20% system derate, 0.5%/yr panel degradation from year two, and 19.89¢/kWh escalating 2.5%/yr. Illinois is a net-billing state: exported solar is credited below the retail rate (Illinois Commerce Commission and Illinois Power Agency: customers connecting from January 1, 2025 receive supply-only credit for exported energy). No published average export rate or self-consumption share is on file, so this table still assumes every kWh offsets retail-rate electricity and therefore overstates savings for systems that export heavily. Size to your own consumption or add storage. Tax credits require eligibility and sufficient tax liability.
Get Free Solar Quotes for Your Home
Open the external EnergySage marketplace to request and compare itemized solar proposals.
Your estimated 25-year savings: $30,566
We are not affiliated with EnergySage and receive no commission or referral fee. The button opens an external site; review its terms and privacy policy.
How to Go Solar in Illinois: Step-by-Step
- 1
Check Illinois Shines ABP block availability
Visit illinoisshines.com to check if blocks are open in your area. Approved vendors listed on the site can also confirm current availability.
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Use an approved vendor
Only Illinois Shines-approved vendors can submit ABP applications and access the SREC payment structure.
Frequently Asked Questions — Solar & Clean Energy in Illinois
Is solar worth it in Illinois in 2026?
It can be, particularly with Illinois Shines. For the 2026-27 program year, REC prices for systems up to 10 kW are $70.37 (Group A) or $80.77 (Group B), with a $20 per REC adder for customer-owned systems that do not receive a federal tax credit. Customers connecting since 2025 receive supply-only credit for exports, so self-consumption matters. Note: The federal 25D ITC expired Dec 31, 2025 — if installed in 2025, you may still claim it on your 2025 tax return.
What is Illinois Shines (ABP)?
Illinois Shines (the Adjustable Block Program) buys 15 years of renewable energy credits from new solar projects through Approved Vendors. The Illinois Power Agency sets REC prices by system size and location group each program year.
Recommended Products for Illinois
Product examples are provided for comparison only. Confirm electrical compatibility, installer requirements, warranty terms, and any current utility incentive before purchase.
Calculate Your Illinois Savings
The Solar ROI link preselects Illinois's planning inputs, including the listed electricity rate (19.89¢/kWh). Other tools open with their own defaults; review every input before calculating.
Browse Other States
Data Sources & Methodology
Incentive data: DSIRE, U.S. DOE Home Energy Rebates, IRS residential credit guidance, and linked state program pages. Electricity rates: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (June 2026). Solar resource: NREL PVWatts reference with state-level planning inputs, not an address-specific API result. Installed price: LBNL Tracking the Sun (Residential systems installed in 2024), a median rather than a quote. The 2.5% annual rate change is a model assumption, not a forecast. Sources and methodology reviewed 2026-09-06. Always verify current amounts with the administering agency and utility.