ChicagoSolar Incentives 2026: Rebates, Tax Credits & Net Metering
Chicago homeowners installing in 2026 cannot claim the federal residential credit. What remains is ComEd net metering. At 4.4 peak sun hours a day, a home with a $110/month bill (about 786 kWh) needs roughly a 7.4 kW system — 19 panels — and pays back in about 8.6 years.
Solar Incentives Available in Chicago
The federal residential credit does not apply to a Chicago system installed in 2026. Illinois does not add a state income tax credit in this dataset. ComEd sets the local rules for crediting the solar power you export.
Chicago homes on ComEd can combine net metering with Illinois Shines (SREC) payments, which can cover a large share of system cost.
How Much Solar Chicago Homes Produce
Chicago gets 4.4 peak sun hours a day, so each 1 kW of panels produces about 1,285 kWh per year here. A 7.4 kW system — the size that fits a typical $110/month ComEd bill — generates roughly 9,508 kWh annually, worth about $1,331 in avoided electricity in year one and more as rates rise.
ComEd Net Metering in Chicago
ComEd credits excess solar generation from Chicago homes under Illinois's full retail-rate net metering (~100% of retail). A right-sized system can bring net annual electricity costs close to zero. See full Illinois net metering rules →
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Chicago?
At Illinois's 2026 average of $2.95/watt, the 7.4 kW system most Chicago homes need runs about $21,830 before incentives. The federal residential credit is $0. IL SREC income is included where the state record has it. Net cost in this model is about $12,630, with payback around 8.6 years. Those figures use $0 federal credit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Solar Incentives in Other Illinois Cities
See your exact Chicago solar savings
Enter your ComEd bill. The calculator uses $0 federal credit plus Illinois incentives — system size, net cost, payback, and 25-year savings.