How solar works with ComEd
ComEd delivers electricity to Chicago and most of northern Illinois. When you add solar, your installer applies to ComEd to connect the system, and ComEd swaps in a meter that tracks the power you send back to the grid as well as the power you use.
For systems connected since January 1, 2025, the power you export earns a credit at the supply rate (close to ComEd's Price to Compare) rather than the full retail rate. Power you use directly as your panels produce it still offsets the full price you'd pay ComEd. Read more about Illinois net metering.
The ComEd solar rebate
ComEd pays residential customers a one-time distributed generation rebate of about $300 per kW for new solar systems with a smart inverter. That's about $1,800 on a 6 kW system or $2,400 on an 8 kW system. Your installer usually files for it when they apply to connect your system.
ComEd also offers a battery storage rebate of about $300 per kWh, generally for customers enrolled in one of its time-based rate or peak-time savings programs.
Illinois Shines for ComEd customers
Illinois Shines groups projects by utility region. ComEd territory has its own REC prices, which are often a bit higher than downstate. The REC payment usually goes through your installer and shows up as a lower price or a check. See Illinois Shines, explained.
Not every northern Illinois town is on ComEd
Some communities inside ComEd's footprint, such as Naperville, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and Winnetka, run their own municipal electric utilities with their own solar rules and rebates. Check the name on your electric bill. If it doesn't say ComEd, the ComEd rebate won't apply, but you can still request a quote.
Sources
By the IL Solar Deals Editorial Team · Updated October 2026 · How we research