Illinois solar and battery incentive calculator
See every incentive you can stack on solar and a home battery in ComEd or Ameren territory for the 2026–27 program year, in one place.
Quick answer
How much are Illinois solar incentives worth?
For an 8 kW system and one 13.5 kWh battery that you own, we estimate about $20,960 in incentives in the Chicago area and about $19,920 around Peoria: the utility solar rebate, Illinois Shines, the owned-system bonus and the battery rebate. The solar incentives alone cover about 68% of a typical price near Chicago.
Your Illinois incentives
| ComEd or Ameren solar rebateAbout $300 per kW for a system with a smart inverter | $2,400 |
|---|---|
| Illinois Shines144 RECs over 15 years at $80.77 each | $11,630 |
| Illinois Shines bonus for owned systems$20 more per REC when you own the system and claim no federal credit | $2,880 |
| Battery storage rebateAbout $300 per kWh, with enrollment in the utility's virtual power plant | $4,050 |
| Total incentives | $20,960 |
- Your panels should make about 9,600 kWh a year. The solar incentives cover about 68% of a typical $24,800 price for this system, at $3.10 per watt.
- Illinois Shines pays your installer, not you: about $7,260 when the system switches on and the rest over 6 years. Your contract shows how much lowers your price.
- The federal homeowner tax credit ended after 2025, so it isn't included.
A planning estimate for the 2026–27 program year, not a quote. How we calculate
How is each incentive calculated?
- ComEd or Ameren solar rebate: about $300 per kW of panels for a new system with a smart inverter. It goes to the system's owner.
- Illinois Shines: the program buys 15 years of your system's expected renewable energy credits, one per 1,000 kWh. We estimate production at about 1,200 kWh per kW a year in northern Illinois, rising to about 1,330 in the far south, less for shade. 2026–27 prices are $80.77 per credit in ComEd territory and $70.37 in Ameren territory for systems up to 10 kW, and $79.21 and $60.92 for 10 to 25 kW.
- Owned-system bonus: $20 more per credit for customer-owned systems of 25 kW or less that don't claim a federal tax credit, during the 2026–27 program year. Leases and PPAs don't qualify.
- Battery storage rebate: about $300 per kWh of battery capacity, now tied to enrolling the battery in the utility's virtual power plant. See the Illinois battery rebate.
The calculator sizes production for a south-facing roof at your location, using the same model as our solar savings calculator. Real Illinois Shines contracts use each system's actual design, so your installer's numbers will differ. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
When are the incentives paid?
For small systems approved since June 1, 2026, Illinois Shines pays 50% of the credit payment when the system switches on and the rest quarterly over the next 6 years. The payment goes to your installer, who usually builds it into a lower price. The utility rebate is paid after the system has permission to operate. See Illinois Shines, explained.
Which incentives no longer apply?
- The 30% federal residential solar credit ended for homeowner-owned systems after 2025. A quote that still subtracts it is out of date.
- The federal home improvement credit, which covered electrical panel upgrades, ended for property placed in service after 2025. See panel upgrades for solar.
- The federal home EV charger credit ended for chargers placed in service after June 30, 2026.
Check any quote against these numbers with our solar quote checker, and see all Illinois solar incentives.
Sources
- ComEd: Distributed generation rebate
- Citizens Utility Board: Solar and storage rebates (ComEd and Ameren)
- Illinois Shines: Final 2026–27 REC prices for the program year starting June 1, 2026
- Illinois Shines: $20/REC adder for customer-owned Small DG projects (2026–27)
- Illinois Shines: Small distributed generation
- ComEd: Distributed generation and storage rebates
- Ameren Illinois: DER Bulletin 2026-04 (storage rebate and virtual power plant)
- IRS: FAQs on changes to Sections 25C, 25D and other credits under the 2025 law (Public Law 119-21)
- IRS: Energy efficient home improvement credit
Solar incentive calculator FAQ
What solar incentives can I stack in Illinois?
If you own the system: the ComEd or Ameren rebate of about $300 per kW, Illinois Shines payments for 15 years of your system's renewable energy credits, a $20-per-credit Illinois Shines bonus for owned systems in the 2026–27 program year, and about $300 per kWh for a battery.
Do I get the Illinois Shines money directly?
Usually not. The program pays the Approved Vendor, typically your installer, who passes the value on as a lower price or in payments to you. Your contract and the program's disclosure form must show how it's handled.
Is there still a federal solar tax credit in Illinois?
Not for homeowner-owned systems: the residential credit ended after 2025. A leasing company may still claim a federal business credit. See the federal tax credit in 2026.
Does the battery rebate require a virtual power plant?
Yes. ComEd and Ameren now tie the storage rebate to enrolling the battery in their virtual power plant programs. See ComEd and Ameren virtual power plants.