Solar panels in Illinois: cost & savings
Illinois averages 3.9 peak sun hours/day and $0.16/kWh electricity. Here's what solar looks like for a typical home.
Typical Illinois home estimate
| Average electricity rate | $0.16/kWh |
| Peak sun hours (daily avg) | 3.9 |
| Recommended system size | 9.5 kW (~24 panels) |
| System cost (before incentives) | $28,451 |
| Cost after 30% federal tax credit | $19,916 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.3 years |
| 25-year net savings | $38,994 |
Incentives: Illinois Shines (SREC) program; net metering. The 30% federal tax credit applies in every state. Retail-rate net metering is broadly available.
How Illinois compares to the rest of the US
Two numbers drive solar economics: your electricity rate and how much sun your roof gets. Here's where Illinois stands against the national average.
| Electricity rate | $0.16/kWh (4% lower than the $0.17 US avg) |
| Daily peak sun hours | 3.9 (13% less than the 4.5 US avg) |
| Net metering | Broadly available |
Illinois has both below-average electricity prices and below-average sun, so the payback runs longer than in top solar states. Solar can still be worthwhile — especially if your bill is high or rates keep climbing — but it pays to compare a couple of quotes carefully here.
Calculate your own Illinois savings
Adjust the numbers to match your actual electric bill:
Estimate your solar savings
Two quick inputs. We use your state's real electricity rate and sun hours.
Is solar worth it in Illinois?
With Illinois's electricity at $0.16/kWh and 3.9 daily sun hours, a typical solar system pays for itself in about 10.3 years and produces an estimated $38,994 in net savings over its 25-year life, after applying the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit. The higher your bill and the more sun your roof gets, the faster the payback.
These figures are estimates. Get free quotes from local Illinois installers to see real pricing for your roof.
Illinois solar FAQ
How many solar panels do I need in Illinois?
A typical Illinois home needs roughly 24 standard 400-watt panels (about a 9.5 kW system) to offset its electricity use, given Illinois's 3.9 daily peak sun hours. A higher bill or shadier roof pushes that number up.
Does Illinois have net metering?
Yes — Illinois broadly offers net metering, so the excess power your panels send to the grid credits your bill and improves your payback. Illinois Shines (SREC) program; net metering. The 30% federal tax credit applies in every state.
What's the payback period for solar in Illinois?
For a typical $144/month bill, the estimated payback is about 10.3 years, after which the power your panels produce is essentially free for the remaining ~15 years of the system's life.