Toll-free: (800) 557-5686Illinois solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels
Illinois State 33 solar panels available
- $0.78/W Average gross price of a solar power system as of September 2022
- 3 years Average system payback period
- 43 008 / year Average savings from going solar in Illinois
- 4 ¢ / kWh Levelized cost of solar energy
- 4.71 kW Recommended system size
Benefit from a PV system
in Illinois
-
![]()
4.67 hours of peak sunlight
Illinois is a state that receives sufficient sunlight, which means that installing solar panels will significantly reduce your bills
-
![]()
Net Metering
According to the Citizens Utility Board, the electricity you don’t consume can be sold back with a 1:1 retail rate credit if exported to the grid
-
![]()
3 years payback period
A solar power system in Illinois pays for itself a couple of times during its lifespan
-
![]()
Reduce the cost of your system by 26%
Get a quarter of the PV system cost off your taxes with the Federal Solar Tax Credit
-
![]()
Freeze your property taxes
Home solar systems are exempt from property tax assessment, but increase the market value of your house
Illinois #33 in the US
Solar Ranking
- $43 008/year Average savings from going solar in Illinois
- 8 508 kWh/year Average electricity consumption of a FL household
- 7 336 kWh/year AC energy output of a 5 kW solar system installed in Illinois
- 13 ¢ /kWh The cost of electricity today in Illinois
- 27 ¢ /kWh The forecast average utility price over the next 25 years
- $0.78/WAverage gross price of a solar power system as of May 2021
What our happy customers say
I did business with A1 about half a year ago (it’s september 22 atm) when I needed panels for my home in Phoenix. I took Panasonic, if anyone’s wondering. The system’s doing great, and I think I got really lucky with my installer and the shop as well. If I recall correctly, my order was indeed processed in 24h as promised, delivery took a bit longer than expected but it wasn’t a big deal, these were busy days for fedex. panels were in good shape. I myself checked them thoroughly.
Ryden R
Via Trustpilot
Sep 25, 2022
I like this company. Good service 👍
Daiga Ellaby
Via Google
Sep 19, 2022
i read too much about the broken panels and decided to go with the pickup option. Loved the experience overall. One of their centers was nearby, so I ordered some q cells for myself and drove there. They explained in detail how to drive the package home safely so I was really careful and yeah, now they are in my garage, waiting to be installed. Can’t really complain about anything, panels are fine, the service was cool, and the delivery was on me lol
loken
Via Trustpilot
Sep 19, 2022
So I did order a system, and everything arrived on time, and yes, one panel was broken. But you know what? I’m still going to give them 5 stars. Because 1) they warned me about the possibility of this happening and told me what to do in this case; 2) when I contacted them about it, they handled the situation professionally. I sent them all that they asked for and got a replacement relatively quickly. If it’s anyone’s fault that panels break, then it is the carrier's one. My impression: good service, great prices, commendable customer support.
Will Ghost
Via Trustpilot
Sep 14, 2022
I needed just a couple of panels for the boat, but the staff treated me like I was buying the whole warehouse. I decided to pick the order up myself, their center was within reach. Getting my panels and a Magnum inverter was easier than going for groceries. There is a lot of hard work behind this simplicity. This I know from experience
Filip Scot
Via Trustpilot
Sep 11, 2022
The best-trained salesmen and warehouse workers I've ever encountered. The shop really is excellent. I needed to find some PV modules to replace those in a system that had been running for a while. Because cost was my primary concern, I was ready to settle for less than ideal service. Indeed, it came as a nice shock.
Piter Poti
Via Trustpilot
Sep 11, 2022
Review us on Google or Trustpilot
Solar laws, incentives and rebates in Illinois you need to know
Return 26% of your PV system cost with Federal Solar Tax Credit
The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows homeowners to claim 26% of the cost of their solar power system installed until 2022 as an income tax deduction. For example, if your solar system costs $20,000, you are eligible for $5,200 (26% of the total gross cost) in tax credit. Solar system cost comprises not only the money spent on solar panels but also freight shipping costs, professional installer fees, tools bought or rented, and so on. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.
Sell excess electricity with Net Metering Program
The Net Metering policy in Illinois has made it easier for its customers to sell unused electricity back to the grid instead of storing the energy in batteries. If your system includes a renewable electric generator, you may interconnect to your electric company’s grid and receive credit for unused electricity. Your PV system will pay for itself primarily through the Net Metering program by selling solar energy that you haven’t used into the commercial grid and gaining credits from the utility company for it. The credits later can be used to cover your electric bills.
In Illinois, credit value is equal to the full retail electricity price. If you have unused credits, they will roll over to the next month and can help offset future electricity usage. Make sure to sell any remaining credits to the grid as they will expire in one year.
Save additional $300 to $1,000 a year trading RECs
Illinois has a goal of producing 25% of its energy from sustainable resources by 2025, through the renewable portfolio standard (RPS). Installing a solar power system will help your state achieve its ambitious goal. In addition, there is a special program, rewarding those who go green: under the Adjustable Block Program(ABP), also known as Illinois Shines, you will be rewarded one Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) that can be sold for each megawatt-hour (MWh) of energy which your PV system produces, allowing your system to payback itself. With the inquiry of the program, you must be waitlisted to qualify for the Adjustable Block Program.
Rebates at $250/kW for industrial and commercial installations
One of Illinois’ greatest utility companies, ComEd helps reduce out-of-pocket costs of installing solar panels for industrial and commercial customers by providing rebates. If you would like to install a PV system on your business as a ComEd customer, you’re eligible for $250/kW of installed solar power. But keep in mind, this repayment only qualifies for owners whose PV system does not exceed 2 MW in capacity.
Raise your property value but not your taxes
Illinois’ Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems ensures any new PV system installed in Illinois will not be part of your property tax. However, any such home improvement will definitely make it about 4% more valuable on the property market, says the 2019 Zillow report. If you would like your solar energy property valued in this manner, file the State of Illinois PTAX-330 property tax form.
Install your solar panels in Illinois with no worries
It is legal to install solar panels on your house in Illinois. However, the homeowners’ association (HOA) may impose some restrictions, for example, on the location of your panels. PV modules are normally installed facing south, but it may be determined to install them within 45 degrees east or west with the assurance that the productivity of your panels will not be impaired.