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Discover your Illinois home's solar savings potential.

See how much you could save with solar in under a minute. Enter your zip code to get started.

Typical homeowners are saving $50-$200/month

State & federal incentives can total up to thousands

Zero upfront cost if your roof qualifies

Discover your Illinois home's solar savings potential

See how much your family could save with solar in under a minute. Enter your zip code below to get started.

No junk mail. No spam.

Typical homeowners are saving $50-200/mo

State & federal incentives worth thousands

Zero cost upfront if your roof qualifies

No personal info required to see savings

Single-family homeowners who installed solar saved $1000 annually on average

2,200+ megawatts of solar in il

Why choose solar in Illinois?

With rapidly rising electricity prices in the Prairie State, and solar friendly laws and incentives, Illinois is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing solar states in the nation. Now is the best time to go solar in Illinois while these nation-best programs are still in effect.

Federal tax credit covers 30% of system costs

Utility savings help offset rising rates

Take advantage of available state and federal incentives

Single-family homeowners who installed solar panels saved $1000 annually on average

2,200+ megawatts of solar in il

Why choose solar in Illinois?

With rapidly rising electricity prices in the Prairie State, and solar friendly laws and incentives, Illinois is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing solar states in the nation. Now is the best time to go solar in Illinois while these nation-best programs are still in effect.

Federal tax credit covers 30% of the costs

Utility savings that help offset rising rates

Take advantage of available state and federal incentives

EASY AS 1, 2, 3

Explore Your Options

1

Tell us about your home

Share some quick details so we can estimate your potential savings and available incentives.

2

See your personalized results

We analyze your address, roof layout, historical energy costs, and incentive programs to create a savings estimate.

3

Find top-rated installers

Get matched with top-rated local installers and choose the option that fits your goals and budget—with no obligations.

No commitment required

Savings are just a few clicks away.

Use our 100% free online Solar Savings Calculator to help you decide if solar is worth it for you. Just enter your info to see a personalized savings range in less than a minute.

Savings are just a few clicks away.

Use our quick and easy online Solar Savings Calculator to help you decide if solar is worth it for you. Just enter your info to see a personalized savings range in less than a minute.

No junk mail. No spam.

More affordable than ever

How much does solar cost in Illinois? (2026-2027)

The short answer: less than your current electric bill. The exact cost and savings of your system may vary depending on several factors (seen to the right), but homeowners typically report saving around 20 to 30 percent right out of the gate.

Your system size

The more panels you need to offset your energy needs, the more your system will cost.

Your roof size & layout

Your roof size and layout will ultimately determine how many panels you can fit and how efficient those panels will be

Cost of electricity

Your savings are the difference between what you pay now for electricity, and what you'll pay with solar. If your cost of electricity is high now, you have a better chance of having significant savings.

Your energy usage

The more energy you use, the more panels you need to offset that usage.

Local incentives

If your utility company doesn't have a strong net metering program, your savings will be significantly lower than a home that does.

Get paid for your solar energy in Illinois

Illinois homeowners may qualify for state incentives, federal tax benefits, utility programs, and ongoing electric bill savings, depending on their location, utility provider, and project.

Federal Solar Tax Credit

You can still claim 30% of your system cost through the federal Investment Tax Credit via a Power Purchase Agreement.

Illinois Net Metering

Many utilities offer net metering, allowing excess electricity your system generates to help offset future electric bills. Policies vary by utility.

Property Tax Exemption

Adding solar increases home value — but Illinois exempts the upgrade from property tax assessments.

Check your eligibility for solar incentives

More affordable than ever

How much does solar cost in Illinois? (2026-2027)

The short answer: less than your current electric bill. The exact cost and savings of your system may vary depending on several factors (seen to the right), but homeowners typically report saving around 20 to 30 percent right out of the gate.

Your system size

The more panels you need to offset your energy needs, the more your system will cost.

Your roof size & layout

Your roof size and layout will ultimately determine how many panels you can install and how efficient those panels will be

Cost of electricity

Your savings are the difference between what you pay now for electricity, and what you'll pay with solar. If your cost of electricity is high now, you have a better chance of having significant savings.

Your energy usage

The more energy you use, the more panels you need to offset that usage.

Local incentives

If your utility company doesn't have a strong net metering program, your savings will be significantly lower than a home that does.

Get paid for your solar energy in Illinois

Between the federal tax credit and Illinois-exclusive incentive programs, homeowners can lower upfront costs dramatically. Many residents even earn payments for the clean energy their systems generate.

Federal Solar Tax Credit

Claim 30% of your system cost through the federal Investment Tax Credit.

Illinois Net Metering

Illinois utilities offer net metering, which means excess electricity generated can offset future electric bills. Policies vary by utility.

Property Tax Exemption

Adding solar increases home value — but Illinois exempts the upgrade from property tax assessments.

Check your eligibility for solar incentives

Solar plans for every budget

Every family has different goals and budgets, so there's no one-size-fits-all with solar. Our staff rated the Solar PPA the highest because it's the most accessible option (you just need decent credit), and there's no loan. That's very attractive to many homeowners.

Hilary Baird

Editor

Solar Loan

4/5

Flexibility

Ideal for homeowners who want to own their system with monthly payments.

Lower monthly energy bills

Builds long term value

No prepayment penalty

Solar PPA

5/5

Affordability

The simplest path to solar savings for most homeowners

Pay only for the power you use

No loan

No maintenance

Tax credit applied automatically

Solar Purchase

4/5

Staff Rating

For homeowners wanting maximum lifetime savings.

Highest return on investment

Own your system outright

Pay upfront for the system

Solar plans for every budget

Every family has different goals and budgets, so there's no one-size-fits-all with solar. Our staff rated the Solar PPA the highest because it's the most accessible option (you just need decent credit), and there's no loan. That's very attractive to many homeowners.

Hillary Beard

Editor

Solar Loan

4.5/5

Flexibility

Ideal for homeowners who want to own their system with monthly payments.

Lower monthly energy bills

Builds long term value

No prepayment penalty

Solar PPA

5/5

Affordability

The simplest way to go solar with no upfront cost.

Pay only for the power you use

No loan

No maintenance

Tax credit applied automatically

Solar Purchase

4.2/5

Long term savings

For homeowners wanting maximum lifetime savings.

Highest return on investment

Own your system outright

Pay upfront for your system

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do solar panels cost?

The cost of solar panels depends on the size of your home and how much energy you need to generate. That said, solar technologies have never been more efficient or affordable. Speak to one of our qualified, local energy advisors to get a free quote. Your energy advisor will work with you to help you decide if you are a good fit for solar.

How many solar panels do I need?

The number of solar panels required to power your home and lower your monthly electricity bill will be determined by several factors:

How much electricity your home uses

How much of your home you want to power with solar energy

How much space is available on your roof

How much sunlight your roof receives

Ultimately, the size of your system depends largely on the unique needs of your home and family. Speak to our friendly energy advisors to get an estimate on the number of solar panels your house requires.

How much of my home can be powered by solar?

That depends on your overall household energy usage relative to the total capacity of your solar array. Many homeowners desire a system size producing 100% of their energy usage needs, but that may not always be possible. Alternatively, if you plan to change your behavior, such as by purchasing an electric vehicle, you may wish to go a little larger than historical usage.

How long do solar panels last?

Our partners use exclusively Tier 1 solar panels, which offer high efficiency and long-term reliability. Using one of our installers, the solar panels in your system will produce for 25 to 30 years. And they come with a 25-year production guarantee* to ensure your panels continue to generate sufficient energy during that time period.

Will solar panels hurt my roof?

When installed correctly, getting solar panels installed on your home should not damage your roof. Make sure your solar system is installed by a licensed, qualified professional. They’ll make sure your roof is in good condition for a solar panel install.

What if I move?

That’s usually a smooth process. Your solar company will work with you to transfer the panels over to the new homeowner and you get to walk away without any strings attached.

Quickly see your savings potential

With a quick online check, you can see your custom estimate and learn which incentives your home qualifies for.

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Your Privacy Matters To Us

Our Mission

We believe, given the choice, that if clean energy costs the same or less than dirty energy, consumers will choose clean energy. We're demystifying the process of solar and partnering with the best solar companies in the world.

This website is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. We are an independent resource and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing any government agency, utility company, or incentive program. Incentives, eligibility requirements, and program details are subject to change. For the most current information and to determine which programs may apply to your home, please consult a qualified local solar installer.