Quick answer
Yes. A battery can charge from the grid and keep chosen circuits running in an outage, or shift use to cheaper hours on ComEd's time-of-day rates. ComEd's revised rebate rules say it will accept rebate applications for stand-alone batteries starting January 1, 2027. The catch: without solar, a battery can't recharge during a long outage.
What does a home battery do without solar?
- Backup power: it charges from the grid and runs your essential circuits when the power goes out, if it's installed with backup equipment.
- Cheaper power at peak times: it can charge overnight and power your home during expensive afternoon hours on a time-of-day or hourly rate.
- Virtual power plant payments: batteries enrolled in ComEd's or Ameren's program can be used at summer peaks in exchange for incentives.
Some battery setups can be installed without backup capability for rate savings alone, which costs less but does nothing in an outage. Ask which configuration an installer is quoting.
Is there a rebate for a battery without solar in Illinois?
Starting in 2027 for ComEd customers. ComEd's revised rebate rules, effective October 19, 2026, say the company won't accept rebate applications for stand-alone energy storage until January 1, 2027, and cover batteries not paired with solar that were interconnected after June 1, 2026. Reports on the new rules put the amount at about $300 per kWh through 2029 and $250 per kWh from 2030, matching the rebate for batteries with solar; confirm the current amount with ComEd before you buy.
Ameren Illinois hasn't announced a stand-alone category yet; its battery rebate still describes batteries charged by on-site renewable generation, and since June 1, 2026 it requires enrolling in Ameren's virtual power plant. See the Illinois battery rebate and how the virtual power plant works.
Can a battery save money on ComEd's time-of-day rate?
| Period | Delivery price per kWh |
|---|---|
| Overnight, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. | 2.984¢ |
| Morning, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. | 4.009¢ |
| Mid-day peak, 1 to 7 p.m. | 10.712¢ |
| Evening, 7 to 9 p.m. | 3.747¢ |
| Standard flat rate, for comparison | 6.228¢ |
That's a gap of about 7.7¢ per kWh between overnight and the afternoon peak on the delivery charge. Charging one 13.5 kWh battery overnight and using it at peak would shift about $1.04 a day in delivery charges before battery losses, so rate savings alone rarely pay for a battery. The rebate and backup power are what usually make the numbers work. See hourly and time-of-day pricing.
Should I get a battery alone or with solar?
| Battery only | Battery with solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Backup in a short outage | Yes, with backup equipment | Yes, with backup equipment |
| Backup in a multi-day outage | Runs down and can't recharge | Recharges from the panels on sunny days |
| Lowers your bill | A little, by shifting to cheaper hours | Yes: solar replaces power you'd buy |
| Utility rebates | ComEd stand-alone storage rebate from 2027 | Solar rebate plus the storage rebate |
A battery alone fits homes that can't host panels, such as a heavily shaded lot or a roof you can't use, or owners who mainly want short-outage backup. Otherwise, solar and a battery together do much more. See what a home battery costs and adding a battery to existing solar.
Is there a federal tax credit for a battery without solar?
Not for homeowners who buy. The federal residential clean energy credit covered stand-alone batteries only if they were installed by December 31, 2025, and it has ended. See the federal tax credit in 2026.
Sources
- ComEd: Rider DG rebate tariff, advance copy for information (stand-alone storage, 2026)
- LTD Solar Consulting: ComEd's battery rebate changes October 19 (2026)
- The Day: ComEd battery storage rebate
- Ameren Illinois: DER Bulletin 2026-04 (storage rebate and virtual power plant)
- Citizens Utility Board: ComEd Delivery Time-of-Day fact sheet
- Hawaii State Energy Office: Federal residential clean energy credit (25D) FAQs (2025)
- ComEd: Distributed generation and storage rebates
This guide is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Incentive programs change, so confirm current terms with your installer, your utility and a tax professional.