Illinois Solar by the Numbers (2026)
Estimated cost, incentives, payback and output for home solar in 57 Illinois cities, from Rockford to Carbondale.
Quick answer
Key findings
For a home with a $150 monthly electric bill, we estimate solar pays for itself in a median of about 8.3 years across 57 Illinois cities, after the utility rebate and Illinois Shines cover about 55% of the price. Payback is fastest in Carbondale (~7.7 years) and slowest in Galesburg (~9 years).
- Median payback
- 8.3 years
- Median net cost
- $10,800
- Incentives cover
- ~55% of price
- Avg. 25-year savings
- $43,900
Which Illinois cities have the fastest solar payback?
| Rank | City | Utility | kWh per kW | Net cost | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | Ameren | 1,330 | $10,000 | 7.7 yrs |
| 2 | Mount Vernon | Ameren | 1,310 | $10,100 | 7.9 yrs |
| 3 | Kankakee | ComEd | 1,230 | $10,000 | 7.9 yrs |
| 4 | Belleville | Ameren | 1,300 | $10,200 | 8.1 yrs |
| 5 | O'Fallon | Ameren | 1,300 | $10,200 | 8.1 yrs |
| 6 | Glen Carbon | Ameren | 1,300 | $10,200 | 8.1 yrs |
| 7 | Collinsville | Ameren | 1,300 | $10,200 | 8.1 yrs |
| 8 | Granite City | Ameren | 1,300 | $10,200 | 8.1 yrs |
| 9 | Edwardsville | Ameren | 1,290 | $10,300 | 8.2 yrs |
| 10 | Alton | Ameren | 1,290 | $10,300 | 8.2 yrs |
Two things drive the differences: southern Illinois gets more sun, and Illinois Shines pays more per credit in ComEd territory. The two partly cancel out, which is why the spread between cities is a year or two, not a decade.
How does solar compare between ComEd and Ameren areas?
| ComEd | Ameren Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Median payback | 8.3 years | 8.5 years |
| Median net cost | $10,800 | $11,100 |
| Avg. output per kW | 1,200 kWh | 1,270 kWh |
| Avg. incentives (rebate + Shines) | $14,000 | $12,200 |
| Illinois Shines price, up to 10 kW | $80.77/REC | $70.37/REC |
| Export credit, October 2026–May 2027 | 10.1¢/kWh | 10.4¢/kWh (first 800 kWh) |
More detail in ComEd vs. Ameren solar.
What does solar cost and save in each Illinois city?
| Carbondale | Ameren | 1,330 | 7.2 kW | $10,000 | $1,293 | 7.7 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kankakee | ComEd | 1,230 | 7.6 kW | $10,000 | $1,262 | 7.9 yrs |
| Mount Vernon | Ameren | 1,310 | 7.2 kW | $10,100 | $1,273 | 7.9 yrs |
| Belleville | Ameren | 1,300 | 7.2 kW | $10,200 | $1,264 | 8.1 yrs |
| O'Fallon | Ameren | 1,300 | 7.2 kW | $10,200 | $1,264 | 8.1 yrs |
| Glen Carbon | Ameren | 1,300 | 7.2 kW | $10,200 | $1,264 | 8.1 yrs |
| Collinsville | Ameren | 1,300 | 7.2 kW | $10,200 | $1,264 | 8.1 yrs |
| Granite City | Ameren | 1,300 | 7.2 kW | $10,200 | $1,264 | 8.1 yrs |
| Oak Lawn | ComEd | 1,210 | 8.0 kW | $10,700 | $1,307 | 8.2 yrs |
| Orland Park | ComEd | 1,210 | 8.0 kW | $10,700 | $1,307 | 8.2 yrs |
| Tinley Park | ComEd | 1,210 | 8.0 kW | $10,700 | $1,307 | 8.2 yrs |
| Bolingbrook | ComEd | 1,210 | 8.0 kW | $10,700 | $1,307 | 8.2 yrs |
| Romeoville | ComEd | 1,210 | 8.0 kW | $10,700 | $1,307 | 8.2 yrs |
| Plainfield | ComEd | 1,210 | 8.0 kW | $10,700 | $1,307 | 8.2 yrs |
| Joliet | ComEd | 1,210 | 8.0 kW | $10,700 | $1,307 | 8.2 yrs |
| Aurora | ComEd | 1,210 | 8.0 kW | $10,700 | $1,307 | 8.2 yrs |
| Oswego | ComEd | 1,210 | 8.0 kW | $10,700 | $1,307 | 8.2 yrs |
| Edwardsville | Ameren | 1,290 | 7.2 kW | $10,300 | $1,254 | 8.2 yrs |
| Alton | Ameren | 1,290 | 7.2 kW | $10,300 | $1,254 | 8.2 yrs |
| Effingham | Ameren | 1,290 | 7.2 kW | $10,300 | $1,254 | 8.2 yrs |
| Chicago | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Evanston | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Skokie | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Glenview | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Des Plaines | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Arlington Heights | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Mount Prospect | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Palatine | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Schaumburg | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Hoffman Estates | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Oak Park | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Elmhurst | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Lombard | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Wheaton | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Downers Grove | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Elgin | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| DeKalb | ComEd | 1,200 | 8.0 kW | $10,800 | $1,296 | 8.3 yrs |
| Waukegan | ComEd | 1,190 | 8.0 kW | $10,900 | $1,285 | 8.5 yrs |
| Crystal Lake | ComEd | 1,190 | 8.0 kW | $10,900 | $1,285 | 8.5 yrs |
| McHenry | ComEd | 1,190 | 8.0 kW | $10,900 | $1,285 | 8.5 yrs |
| Algonquin | ComEd | 1,190 | 8.0 kW | $10,900 | $1,285 | 8.5 yrs |
| Rockford | ComEd | 1,190 | 8.0 kW | $10,900 | $1,285 | 8.5 yrs |
| Jacksonville | Ameren | 1,270 | 7.6 kW | $11,100 | $1,303 | 8.5 yrs |
| Mattoon | Ameren | 1,270 | 7.6 kW | $11,100 | $1,303 | 8.5 yrs |
| Charleston | Ameren | 1,270 | 7.6 kW | $11,100 | $1,303 | 8.5 yrs |
| Champaign | Ameren | 1,260 | 7.6 kW | $11,200 | $1,293 | 8.7 yrs |
| Urbana | Ameren | 1,260 | 7.6 kW | $11,200 | $1,293 | 8.7 yrs |
| Decatur | Ameren | 1,260 | 7.6 kW | $11,200 | $1,293 | 8.7 yrs |
| Quincy | Ameren | 1,260 | 7.6 kW | $11,200 | $1,293 | 8.7 yrs |
| Danville | Ameren | 1,260 | 7.6 kW | $11,200 | $1,293 | 8.7 yrs |
| Macomb | Ameren | 1,250 | 7.6 kW | $11,300 | $1,283 | 8.8 yrs |
| Peoria | Ameren | 1,240 | 7.6 kW | $11,400 | $1,272 | 9 yrs |
| East Peoria | Ameren | 1,240 | 7.6 kW | $11,400 | $1,272 | 9 yrs |
| Pekin | Ameren | 1,240 | 7.6 kW | $11,400 | $1,272 | 9 yrs |
| Bloomington | Ameren | 1,240 | 7.6 kW | $11,400 | $1,272 | 9 yrs |
| Normal | Ameren | 1,240 | 7.6 kW | $11,400 | $1,272 | 9 yrs |
| Galesburg | Ameren | 1,230 | 7.6 kW | $11,400 | $1,262 | 9 yrs |
What incentives and rates are in effect for Illinois solar now?
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| ComEd and Ameren solar rebate | About $300 per kW |
| Battery storage rebate | About $300 per kWh |
| Illinois Shines (2026–27, up to 10 kW) | $80.77/REC ComEd · $70.37/REC Ameren |
| ComEd export credit (October 2026–May 2027) | 10.1¢ per kWh |
| Ameren export credit (October 2026–May 2027) | 10.4¢ first 800 kWh, 8.3¢ above |
| Federal homeowner tax credit (25D) | Ended after 2025 |
How were these estimates made?
Each city uses the same model as our solar savings calculator: a $150 monthly bill, a cash purchase at $3.10 per watt before incentives, an unshaded south-facing roof, production estimated from each city's latitude, half of production used at home at a 17¢/kWh all-in rate and half exported at about 10¢. Incentives are the $300/kW utility rebate and 15 years of Illinois Shines credits at 2026–27 prices. See the full method.
These are planning estimates, not quotes. Real costs depend on the roof, equipment, installer and financing, and actual savings depend on usage and rate plan.
How to cite: IL Solar Deals, "Illinois Solar by the Numbers (2026)," https://www.ilsolardeals.com/illinois-solar-report.
Sources
- Illinois Shines: Final 2026–27 REC prices for the program year starting June 1, 2026
- Citizens Utility Board: Solar and storage rebates (ComEd and Ameren)
- Plug In Illinois (Illinois Commerce Commission): ComEd Price to Compare
- Plug In Illinois (Illinois Commerce Commission): Ameren Illinois Price to Compare
- Illinois Shines: FAQs related to changes in net metering in Illinois
- NREL PVWatts Calculator
- U.S. EIA: Average retail price of electricity by state (Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A)
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2020 Census QuickFacts
Report FAQ
How long does solar take to pay for itself in Illinois?
For a home with a $150 monthly bill buying a system with cash, we estimate a median payback of about 8.3 years across 57 Illinois cities, ranging from about 7.7 years in Carbondale to about 9 years in Galesburg.
How much do incentives cover for solar in Illinois?
The $300/kW ComEd or Ameren rebate plus Illinois Shines cover about 55% of the estimated installed price on average, around $13,200 per home in our model.
Can I use this data?
Yes. Please cite "IL Solar Deals, Illinois Solar by the Numbers (2026)" and link to this page. The full city table is available as a CSV download.
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