Unlock the solar savings potential of your Illinois home
Check what solar could save your family in under a minute.
Typical homeowners save up to $80-$200/month
State & federal incentives can total up to $9,894
Zero upfront cost if your home qualifies
Unlock the solar savings potential of your Illinois home
Check what solar could save your family in under a minute.
No junk mail. No spam.
Typical homeowners save $80-200/mo
State & federal incentives as much as $9,894
Zero cost upfront if your home 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 go solar in Illinois?
As electricity rates continue rising across Illinois, more homeowners are switching to solar to take control of their energy costs. With some of the nation’s strongest incentives and a utility market built for solar adoption, Illinois residents have a unique opportunity to lock in long-term energy savings.
Federal tax credit covers 30% of system costs
Utility savings help offset rising rates
Earn credits for extra power your system produces
Single-family homeowners who installed solar panels saved $1000 annually on average
2,200+ megawatts of solar in il
Why go solar in Illinois?
As electricity rates continue rising across Illinois, more homeowners are switching to solar to take control of their energy costs. With some of the nation’s strongest incentives and a utility market built for solar adoption, Illinois residents have a unique opportunity to lock in long-term energy savings.
Federal tax credit covers 30% of the costs
Utility savings that help offset rising rates
Earn credits for extra power your system produces
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 an instant estimate.
3
Compare installers
Review top-rated local installers and choose the option that fits your goals and budget.
No commitment required
Savings are just a few clicks away.
Use our instant Illinois Solar Savings Tool to learn whether solar makes financial sense for your home. Just enter your info to see a personalized savings range in less than a minute.
Savings are just a few clicks away.
Use our instant Illinois Solar Savings Tool to learn whether solar makes financial sense for your home. Just enter your info to see a personalized savings range in less than a minute.
No junk mail. No spam.
More affordable than ever
What does solar cost in Illinois? (2025-2026)
Solar pricing varies depending on your roof, the size of your system, electricity rates, and which incentives you qualify for — but Illinois homeowners often offset a significant portion of the cost immediately thanks to strong state programs.
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 to go solar 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 Shines Program
Earn Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). These credits pay you for producing clean energy and can add thousands in value.
Property Tax Exemption
Adding solar increases home value — but Illinois exempts the upgrade from property tax assessments.
See which incentives apply to you
More affordable than ever
What does solar cost in Illinois (2025-2026)
Solar pricing varies depending on your roof, the size of your system, electricity rates, and which incentives you qualify for — but Illinois homeowners often offset a significant portion of the cost immediately thanks to strong state programs.
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 to go solar 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 Shines Program
Earn Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). These credits pay you for producing clean energy and can add thousands in value.
Property Tax Exemption
Adding solar increases home value — but Illinois exempts the upgrade from property tax assessments.
See which incentives apply to me
Solar plans for every budget
Every household’s needs and budget are different, so the right solar setup isn’t the same for everyone. Our team ranked the Solar PPA as the most approachable choice because it requires no loan and only standard credit approval, making it an appealing option for many homeowners looking for a low-barrier way to go solar.
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 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
4/5
Staff Rating
For homeowners wanting maximum lifetime savings.
Highest return on investment
Own your system outright
Own your power
Solar plans for every budget
"Every household’s needs and budget are different, so the right solar setup isn’t the same for everyone. Our team ranked the Solar PPA as the most approachable choice because it requires no loan and only standard credit approval, making it an appealing option for many homeowners looking for a low-barrier way to go solar."
Hillary Thompson
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 price of a solar system varies based on your home’s size, energy usage, and how much power you want your panels to offset. The good news is that modern solar equipment is more cost-effective than ever. If you want an accurate number, a local energy specialist can walk you through a personalized quote and help you determine whether solar is a strong fit for your home.
How many solar panels do I need?
The number of panels you’ll need depends on a few key factors: your household’s electricity usage, how much of that usage you want solar to cover, the usable space on your roof, and the amount of sunlight your home receives. Every property is different, so system size can vary quite a bit. A quick conversation with one of our energy specialists can give you a personalized estimate for how many panels your home would require.
How much of my home can be powered by solar?
How much of your home solar can cover comes down to how much electricity you use versus how much your system is able to produce. Some homeowners aim for a setup that offsets their entire annual usage, while others size their system to cover a portion of it. If you expect your energy needs to change — like adding an electric vehicle — you may want to plan for a larger system than your past usage alone would suggest.
How long do solar panels last?
Top-tier solar panels are built to perform for decades. With the Tier 1 equipment our partner installers use, you can expect your system to produce power for roughly 25–30 years. Panels also include a 25-year production guarantee*, giving you added confidence that they’ll continue delivering reliable energy throughout their lifespan.
Will solar panels hurt my roof?
When properly installed, solar panels shouldn’t cause any damage to your roof. A licensed, experienced installer will assess the condition of your roofing beforehand and use mounting hardware designed to protect it, ensuring the system is secure and leak-free.
What if I move?
That’s usually a smooth process. Your solar provider can help transfer the system to the new homeowner as part of the sale, allowing you to move on without any complications.
Start your path toward big savings
With a quick online check, you can see your custom estimate and learn which incentives your home qualifies for.
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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.
20-year savings comparing total solar cost vs. utility cost for the same amount of electricity, including all costs, incentives, and inflation. Savings estimates do not account for utility net billing rates.