Solar by State / Illinois
Data last verified: August 2026Is Solar Worth It in Illinois in 2026?
The honest answer depends on four numbers that are unique to Illinois: your electricity rate, your solar production, your net metering policy, and your state incentives. Here are the real figures, with sources and dates.
Illinois Solar Snapshot (2026)
| Residential electricity rate | 19.1¢/kWh (EIA, 2026 YTD May) |
| Solar production | ~1290 kWh per kW installed per year (NREL PVWatts v8) |
| Net metering | Full retail 1:1 |
| State tax credit | None in 2026 |
| Rebates / performance | Adjustable Block REC $65–85/MWh |
| SREC market | Active — ~$75/MWh (2026 market) |
| Property tax exemption | Yes |
| Sales tax exemption | No |
Estimate Your Own Payback in Illinois
The table above is a 6 kW benchmark. Your home is different — use the Solar ROI Calculator with Illinois pre-loaded to get your exact payback, or the 30-second worth-it quiz for a go/no-go verdict.
Illinois FAQ
Does Illinois have a solar tax credit in 2026?
Illinois does not offer a state income tax credit for residential solar in 2026. The federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025 and does not apply to 2026 installations.
What is net metering like in Illinois?
Illinois uses full retail net metering. This means every exported kWh is credited at your retail rate — the most favorable setup for solar.
Is solar worth it in Illinois after the federal credit ended?
At a typical 2.85/W installed cost and 19.1¢/kWh electricity, a 6 kW system in Illinois has an estimated payback of about 7.9 years (rank #2 of 51 states). That is one of the faster paybacks in the country.
Compare Illinois with Another State
See how Illinois stacks up against New Jersey — or use the state comparison tool for a side-by-side of any two or three states.
Popular guides
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What changed when the federal 25D credit expired.
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Why your export credit matters as much as your rate.
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