Call NowFree Quote
analysis9 min read

Ameren Rate Increase 2026: Summer Price to Compare 11.326¢/kWh (ComEd 10.399¢) — Through Sept 30

Ryan Cook••

Updated September 2026: The summer rates below are still in effect, but only through September 30. Both Ameren and ComEd reset their Price to Compare on October 1 for the non-summer period, and the new figures post when the utilities file them. Before you assume your bill drops with the supply rate, read what actually changes on October 1.

If your electric bill has felt heavier lately, you're not imagining it. Illinois electricity rates have climbed sharply since 2021 — and on June 1, 2026, they jumped again. The new summer rates are now official: Ameren Illinois' Price to Compare is 11.326¢/kWh and ComEd's is 10.399¢/kWh, both effective June 1 through September 30.

This isn't a temporary blip. There are three structural forces pushing rates higher at the same time: a global energy crisis from the Iran conflict, massive data center construction across the state, and record-breaking wholesale capacity auction prices that directly set what you pay per kilowatt-hour.

Here's what changed on June 1, why it happened, and what your options are.

Timeline showing Illinois electricity rate increases from 2021 through projected summer 2026

The New Summer Rates (Effective June 1, 2026)

The June 1 reset is official. Here are the new summer Prices to Compare, straight from the ICC's Plug In Illinois data:

Utility New Price to Compare (June 1 – Sept 30, 2026) What's in it
Ameren Illinois 11.326¢/kWh (first 800 kWh) 8.2¢ supply + 0.308¢ supply adjustment + 2.765¢ transmission
ComEd 10.399¢/kWh 8.677¢ supply + 1.722¢ transmission

Sources: Ameren Illinois Price to Compare · ComEd Price to Compare

What that means in context:

ComEd (northern Illinois, Chicagoland):

  • The new 10.399¢ Price to Compare is up from roughly 9.66¢ this past winter (CUB's January figure)
  • All-in residential rate: approximately 17¢/kWh with delivery charges
  • The ICC approved a $243 million delivery rate hike effective January 2026
  • The ~$13/month IRA rate-relief credits expired May 31 — right as the summer rate kicked in
  • Full year-by-year history: ComEd rates breakdown

Ameren Illinois (central and southern Illinois):

  • The summer Price to Compare jumped to 11.326¢/kWh, up from the 8.769¢ supply rate that applied through May
  • News outlets also report a temporary ~20% delivery-charge increase that began June 1
  • All-in summer rates reach roughly 20¢/kWh (June through September) — up 94% since 2021
  • The ICC approved a $48 million delivery rate increase for 2026
  • Full year-by-year history: Ameren Illinois rates breakdown

For context, both utilities were around 8¢/kWh all-in in 2021. That was just five years ago.

What's Driving the Increases

It's not one thing — it's three things happening simultaneously.

Infographic showing the three forces driving Illinois electricity rates higher

1. Capacity Auction Prices Exploded

This is the biggest single driver, and most people have never heard of it.

Your utility doesn't generate its own electricity. It buys power on wholesale markets run by regional grid operators — PJM for ComEd territory and MISO for Ameren territory. These operators run annual "capacity auctions" where power generators bid to supply electricity. The clearing price flows directly into your rate.

Those auctions have gone haywire:

Auction Previous Price Current Price Increase
PJM (ComEd) $28.92/MW-day $329.17/MW-day +1,038%
MISO Summer (Ameren) $30/MW-day $666.50/MW-day +2,122%

These aren't typos. PJM capacity costs went up ten-fold in two years. MISO summer capacity went up twenty-two-fold in a single year.

There's no buffer between these auction prices and your bill. When the clearing price goes up, your rate goes up — typically at the next June reset.

2. Data Centers Are Eating the Grid

Illinois has approved 27 of 28 applications for tax-exempt data center status. Another 30+ facilities are planned. These aren't small buildings — a single large data center can consume 600 megawatts, roughly equivalent to powering an entire mid-size city.

Data centers now consume 5.43% of all Illinois electricity. PJM's Independent Market Monitor found that 70% — or $9.3 billion — of the capacity cost increase was driven by data center demand.

The Illinois Power Agency projects capacity shortfalls beginning in 2029 for northern Illinois and 2031 for southern Illinois. Governor Pritzker has proposed a two-year suspension of data center tax incentives starting July 2026 — but the facilities already approved aren't going away.

For a deeper dive on this, see our earlier analysis: Data Centers Drove 70% of Illinois's Capacity Cost Spike.

3. Global Energy Instability

The Iran conflict has sent oil to $112/barrel and disrupted 20% of global LNG supply. Illinois is somewhat insulated because 53% of our electricity comes from nuclear power — but the 17% that comes from natural gas is exposed to global price swings.

More importantly, the next utility procurement auctions will reflect a world where energy is more expensive everywhere. If the conflict isn't resolved before June, elevated gas futures will get baked into the rates you pay for the next 6-12 months.

What the June 1 Reset Means for Your Bill

The June reset is when the 2026-2027 capacity auction prices took effect. Here's how it lands:

ComEd customers: The Price to Compare reset to 10.399¢/kWh on June 1 — and the ~$13/month IRA credits that softened the blow expired the day before it hit. Combined with the new capacity charge, summer bills could reach an estimated $180-220/month for a typical household.

Ameren customers: The summer Price to Compare is 11.326¢/kWh through September 30, and a temporary delivery-charge increase began the same day. With the record MISO auction prices baked in, the CUB warns summer bills could hit $200+/month for average homes.

Neither utility expects relief anytime soon. CUB's assessment: rates will stay elevated "for at least the next few years" due to structural demand growth from data centers and infrastructure investment.

How Illinois Compares to the Rest of the Country

Despite the increases, Illinois is still slightly below the national average — but the gap is closing fast.

Bar chart comparing Illinois electricity rates to neighboring states and the national average

State Rate (Apr 2026) Rank
Missouri 11.8¢/kWh 3rd cheapest
Iowa 12.8¢/kWh 8th cheapest
Indiana 16.2¢/kWh 31st
Illinois 16.4¢/kWh 32nd
Wisconsin 18.2¢/kWh 36th
National avg. 17.5¢/kWh —

Source: Choose Energy, April 2026

Illinois went from well-below-average to essentially average in just a few years. And with summer rates pushing toward 20¢+, Illinois could land above the national average by July.

When Will Rates Come Back Down?

The honest answer: probably not for a while. Here's why:

  • Data center demand is structural — those facilities run 24/7 for decades. The 27 already approved aren't going away.
  • Grid infrastructure costs money — aging transmission lines, new capacity to meet demand, and reliability upgrades all get baked into delivery charges.
  • Capacity auctions look forward — even if gas prices stabilize, the auctions are pricing in tight supply margins through at least 2028.
  • The Iran conflict — if it persists, global energy costs stay elevated and trickle into US markets.

CUB and industry analysts broadly agree: expect elevated rates through at least 2028-2029, with the possibility of marginal relief if data center growth slows or new generation capacity comes online.

What You Can Do Right Now

You have three realistic options to control your electricity costs:

1. Solar — A predictable rate for 25 years

Solar eliminates your exposure to all three forces pushing rates up. Once panels are on your roof, your energy cost is predictable — no auctions, no data center demand, no geopolitical risk.

  • Lease ($0 down): Predictable monthly payment for 25 years, typically lower than your current bill. Battery backup included.
  • Cash purchase: Own the system. The utility DG rebate + Illinois SREC payments — now with a new $20/REC owner adder — bring the payback to 8-10 years, then very low-cost power for 15+ more.
  • Solar for All: Income-qualified? The state installs solar at zero cost. No credit check.

2. Energy efficiency — Reduce your usage

This won't stop rate increases, but it reduces the volume they apply to:

  • Air-seal and insulate your attic (biggest bang for the buck)
  • Smart thermostat programming
  • LED lighting throughout
  • High-efficiency HVAC when it's time to replace

3. Alternative supply — Shop your rate

Illinois is a deregulated market. You can choose an alternative electricity supplier through the ICC's Plug In Illinois site. Fixed-rate plans can lock in your supply cost — but read the fine print on contract terms and cancellation fees.

The Bottom Line

Illinois electricity rates are up 47-94% since 2021 — and the June 1, 2026 reset just pushed summer rates to new highs. The forces driving it — data centers, capacity auctions, and global energy instability — aren't temporary.

You can wait and absorb each increase, or you can take control of your energy cost now. The incentives are still available, and the math gets better every time rates go up.

See what solar saves in your city →

Sources

Ryan Cook is the founder of Ltd Solar Consulting, helping Illinois homeowners navigate solar options across Ameren and ComEd territory. Questions? Get a free quote or call (618) 217-2001.

Frequently Asked Questions

Illinois residential electricity rates average 15–17¢ per kWh all-in as of June 2026, with ComEd customers paying approximately 17¢/kWh and Ameren Illinois customers paying about 15.5¢/kWh annually. Summer rates in Ameren territory climb to roughly 20¢/kWh from June through September — the official summer Price to Compare is 11.326¢/kWh for Ameren and 10.399¢/kWh for ComEd, effective June 1, 2026. Both utilities have seen dramatic increases since 2021 — Ameren Illinois rates are up 94% and ComEd rates are up 47% since January 2025 alone. The Illinois Commerce Commission approved a $243 million delivery rate hike for ComEd effective January 2026, plus a $48 million delivery increase for Ameren. Another rate adjustment takes effect in June 2026 when new capacity auction prices flow through. For specific per-city rates, see our Illinois rate tracker updated monthly with the latest ComEd and Ameren data.
ComEd's June 2026 rate increase is now official: the Price to Compare reset to 10.399¢/kWh on June 1, 2026 (8.677¢ supply plus 1.722¢ transmission), per ICC Plug In Illinois data — up from roughly 9.66¢ this past winter. The driver is the record-breaking PJM capacity auction, where clearing prices rose from $28.92/MW-day to $329.17/MW-day — a 1,038% increase — and those costs flow into the supply portion of your bill at the June annual reset. The $13/month IRA rate-relief credit that offset some costs expired May 31, 2026, right before the new rate took effect. A typical Chicagoland household using 750 kWh/month should expect an estimated $15–$30 added to monthly bills this summer. Our ComEd rate tracker breaks down the new rate alongside the full year-by-year history.
Ameren Illinois summer 2026 rates are now official: the summer Price to Compare is 11.326¢/kWh for the first 800 kWh, effective June 1 through September 30, 2026, per ICC Plug In Illinois data. That breaks down to 8.2¢ electric supply, a 0.308¢ supply cost adjustment, and a 2.765¢ transmission charge — up from the 8.769¢ supply rate that applied through May. The jump traces to the MISO summer capacity auction, which cleared at $666.50/MW-day — up 2,122% from the prior year's $30/MW-day. With delivery charges layered on top, all-in summer rates run roughly 20¢/kWh. For a typical 1,000 kWh/month Central or Southern Illinois household, that works out to roughly $200/month summer bills compared to about $155/month in winter. Ameren territory has now seen a 94% rate increase since 2021, faster than any major Midwest utility.
Three structural forces are pushing Illinois electricity rates higher simultaneously. First, PJM and MISO wholesale capacity auctions have seen historic increases — PJM cleared at $329.17/MW-day (up 1,038%) and MISO summer at $666.50/MW-day (up 2,122%). Second, data center construction is consuming 5.43% of all Illinois electricity, and PJM's Independent Market Monitor attributed 70% — or $9.3 billion — of the capacity cost spike to data center demand. Illinois has approved 27 of 28 data center applications with another 30+ planned. Third, global energy instability from the Iran conflict has pushed LNG and natural gas prices higher, which affects the 17% of Illinois generation coming from natural gas. The Illinois Power Agency projects capacity shortfalls beginning in 2029 for northern Illinois and 2031 for southern Illinois, meaning rate pressure will continue.
Illinois electricity rates are not expected to decrease in the near-term, with most forecasts projecting continued increases through at least 2028. The Illinois Power Agency has flagged capacity shortfalls starting in 2029 for northern Illinois and 2031 for southern Illinois, which typically correlates with sustained upward rate pressure until new generation capacity comes online. Governor Pritzker has proposed a two-year suspension of data center tax incentives starting July 2026, which could slow new demand growth, but the 27 data centers already approved will continue consuming capacity. The most reliable ways to reduce your effective electricity cost are signing a solar lease with a predictable rate (as low as 10¢/kWh, predictable for 25 years with battery), installing a solar system to offset grid purchases, or qualifying for Illinois Solar for All if income-eligible.
The most effective protection against rising Illinois electricity rates is signing a solar lease with a predictable rate or purchasing a solar system. A typical 25-year lease runs as low as 10¢/kWh, predictable for the full term, with a battery included, compared to 15–20¢/kWh and climbing on utility rates — the savings gap widens every year rates rise. For homeowners who don't qualify for solar or prefer not to install, strategies include: switching to an alternative retail electric supplier with a fixed-term contract, enrolling in ComEd's Residential Real-Time Pricing for load-shifting households, or qualifying for Illinois Solar for All if your household income is at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Energy efficiency upgrades — heat pumps, insulation, LED lighting — also reduce the kilowatt-hours your bill is exposed to at increasing rates.
The 2026 average residential electricity rate in Illinois is approximately 15–17¢/kWh all-in, depending on your utility territory and season. ComEd residential customers (northern Illinois, Chicagoland) average 17¢/kWh in 2026, with supply at 10.399¢/kWh (the June–September 2026 Price to Compare) plus delivery and miscellaneous charges. Ameren Illinois residential customers (central and southern Illinois) average 15.5¢/kWh annually, rising to approximately 20¢/kWh during the June–September summer period. MidAmerican Energy customers in the Quad Cities area pay rates closer to 12–13¢/kWh. For context, Illinois was around 8¢/kWh statewide in 2021 — the current rate environment represents a roughly 90% increase in five years, with the June 1, 2026 reset pushing rates higher still based on record PJM and MISO capacity auction results.

Related City Guides

Chicago, ILSpringfield, ILPeoria, ILRockford, ILNaperville, ILBelleville, ILDecatur, ILChampaign, ILJoliet, ILAurora, ILBloomington, ILCarbondale, ILElgin, ILSchaumburg, IL

More Illinois Solar Guides

Naperville Solar in 2026: The City Runs Its Own Utility, the $1,750 Rebate Is Spent, and Credits Pay 4.9¢ If You OversizeNaperville isn't ComEd. The city utility charges 11.968¢/kWh plus $21.52 a month, its $1,750 solar rebate ran out June 26, 2026, and extra credits pay 4.9¢.How Big a Battery Do You Need to Run a House in Illinois? A Sizing Guide With Real 2026 NumbersThe average Illinois home uses about 23 kWh a day. How to size a home battery for one night, a full day, or whole-home backup, and what each costs after rebate.Your Ameren Illinois Bill Explained (2026): Every Line, the Real Price Per kWh, and What Resets October 1Ameren Illinois supply is 11.326¢/kWh through Sept 30, 2026, plus 7.811¢/kWh summer delivery and $14.51 in fixed charges. Every bill line, with 2027 rates.Is Homefield Energy Cheaper Than Ameren? 245 of 260 Illinois Town Power Deals Cost More Than the Utility RateAs of Sept 15, 2026, 245 of 260 priced town aggregation deals in Ameren Illinois territory cost more than Ameren's 11.326¢ rate. Find your town, then opt out.ComEd's Delivery Charge Is 6.333¢/kWh Now — The Full 2026 Breakdown, and the Part Solar Can't TouchComEd's residential delivery charge moved to 6.333¢/kWh plus $19.37 in fixed monthly charges with April 2026 bills. Every line item, a worked example, and what solar offsets.Yes, There's a Solar Surcharge on Your Illinois Electric Bill — Here's Who Gets the MoneyA commentary running in Illinois papers says you fund solar farms through bill surcharges. It's true — and homeowners can get on the receiving side of the fund.Did Your Electric Rate Really Go Up Again? Every ComEd and Ameren Increase Since 2021, DatedEvery ComEd and Ameren Illinois rate increase since 2021, with dates, docket numbers and figures, plus the changes already scheduled for late 2026 and 2027.Illinois Bought 600 MW of Grid Batteries (It Wanted 1,038) — When Does Your Bill Feel It?Illinois' first CRGA battery buy closed Sept 1: 600 MW awarded of a 1,038 MW target, five projects, four in Ameren country. The honest timeline for your bill.Your Illinois Solar Output Falls About 45% by December — Here's the Month-by-Month CurveIllinois solar output falls roughly 45% from August to December. Here's the real month-by-month curve for Ameren and ComEd homes — and how to tell normal from broken.A Squirrel Under Your Solar Panels Can Chew Through a Wire in a Weekend — and Homeowners Insurance Usually Won't PaySquirrels and birds nest in the gap under Illinois solar panels. Standard homeowners policies exclude the damage. What a critter guard costs and who pays.Bad Roof for Solar in Illinois? A Ground Mount Works, Even on a $0-Down LeaseRoof won't work for solar? In Illinois a ground mount usually will, and $0-down leases cover it with a size minimum and a per-watt adder. 2026 costs inside.Told Your Roof or Electrical Panel Rules Out Solar? Illinois Solar for All Paid for 79 Roof Replacements Last YearThe state's new report: Illinois Solar for All paid for 79 full roof replacements and 73 electrical panel upgrades last year, up to $22,000 per home. The single-family window runs Sept 14–25, 2026.July Was the Hottest Month in U.S. History. Your August Ameren or ComEd Bill Is Where It Lands.NOAA confirmed July 2026 as the hottest month ever recorded in the U.S., and ComEd says it's on your August bill. Here's the math for an Illinois home and what changes Oct 1.Buying an Illinois House With Solar? Odds Are the Seller Doesn't Own the PanelsBuying an Illinois home with solar panels? Who owns the system decides what you inherit — a lien on title, a lease credit check, or grandfathered net metering.Behind on Your Ameren or ComEd Bill? The Shut-Off Season Actually Starts in SeptemberIllinois utilities can't disconnect you on 95-degree days, and winter protection starts December 1. The gap in between — September to November — is shut-off season.Your Illinois Solar Credits Can Expire in October — Check Which Date Your Installer PickedIllinois solar owners on pre-2025 net metering lose unused kWh credits every April or October. Here's how to find out which date is on your account before it hits.Illinois Shines Promised to Fix Its Solar Backlog by Mid-August. It Just Moved That to October.Illinois Shines said Part I reviews would be back to two weeks by mid-August. Its August 6 update moved that to mid-October. As of August 28, Part I is still a 10-week wait.Budget Billing Didn't Save You From the June 1 Rate Hike — Ameren Settles Up in May or NovemberAmeren and ComEd budget billing spread your payments — they don't lower the rate. Here's when the June 1 increase actually shows up on your Illinois bill.The 'Price to Compare' on Your Illinois Bill: What It Covers, What It Leaves Out, and Why It Isn't What You PayThe Price to Compare is the supply rate Ameren and ComEd publish so you can judge any offer. Here's what it covers, what it leaves out, and how to use it right.Denied for Solar in Illinois? Federal Law Says They Owe You a Real ReasonNo published credit score gets you solar in Illinois — but if you're denied, federal law entitles you to the specific reason, a free credit report, and a dispute right.Illinois Homes Lost $2.3 Billion to Electric Supplier Switching — Check One Line on Your BillState data shows Illinois families paid $2.3 billion extra to alternative electric suppliers since 2015 — Ameren customers hit hardest. Here's the bill line to check.Want Out of a Solar Contract in Illinois? The State Put Your Exit Rights in WritingIllinois gives you at least three calendar days to rescind a solar contract and get your deposit back. Here's every exit the state wrote down, step by step.Solar Installed but Still Dark? Illinois Gives Your Utility 15 Business DaysYour panels are up but the bill hasn't moved. Illinois Part 466 and Ameren's own guide set real deadlines — 15 business days for a Level 1 witness test.Solar Won't Zero Out Your Illinois Electric Bill — the State's Own Example Shows WhySolar offsets the supply half of your Illinois bill, not the delivery half. The state's own net metering example shows which kilowatt-hours you still pay for.Does Illinois Homeowners Insurance Cover Solar Panels? The $14,000 vs $4,000 Roof ClauseIllinois insurers are moving roofs to actual cash value. The state's own example pays $14,000 on one roof and $4,000 on another. Here's what that does to solar.Illinois Will Pay About $4,050 Toward a Home Battery — Here's What ComEd and Ameren Want in ReturnComEd and Ameren both pay $300 per kWh toward home battery storage in Illinois. The rebate is real — but each utility attaches conditions almost nobody mentions.Your Illinois HOA Can't Ban Solar — and It Has 30 Days to Answer YouIllinois law bars an HOA from prohibiting solar panels, caps design rules at a 10% production loss, and gives boards 30 days to process your application.ComEd Now Charges Four Different Prices a Day — Who Wins on Time-of-Day PricingComEd's Time-of-Day pricing splits the day into four price windows, cheapest overnight. Who actually saves, who pays more, and how solar fits in.Illinois Will Help Churches, Food Pantries, and Libraries Go Solar — Applications Open August 3Illinois Solar for All opens its Non-Profit and Public Facilities window August 3, 2026. Who qualifies, what it costs, and why the date matters.Your Illinois Electric Rate Drops October 1 — Why Your Bill Won't Drop as MuchIllinois summer supply rates expire September 30. Ameren's fell 31% last October — but supply is only half your bill. Here's what actually drops.Who Fixes Your Solar Panels in Illinois When Something Breaks?Who actually fixes solar panels in Illinois? Maintenance costs, what a lease covers, and what to do if your installer stopped answering the phone.Will Your Illinois Electric Bill Go Back Down? PJM Just Locked In Prices Through 2029PJM's July 2026 capacity auction cleared at $325/MW-day for 2028-29 — the third straight auction at the price cap. Why your Illinois bill isn't dropping soon.Illinois Logged 832 Solar Complaints in 2025 and Has Paid $473,000 Back to Burned Customers — What Actually Went Wrong, and Who Gets PaidIllinois logged 832 solar complaints in 2025, and its restitution fund has paid 170 customers nearly $473,000. Here's what goes wrong and who gets paid.Do You Need a New Roof Before Solar in Illinois? (2026 Roof-Age Rules)Old roof, new panels? Pulling solar off for a roof job runs an estimated $2,800-$6,000. The Illinois roof-age rule, and how to sequence both jobs to pay once.Can You Rent Solar Panels in Illinois? What Actually Exists in 2026There's no such thing as renting solar panels in Illinois. But there is Community Solar — a state-vetted subscription that gets you bill credits without any equipment. Here's how it actually works.New Illinois Laws: A Family of Four Earning $99,000 Can Now Get Help With Their Electric BillPritzker signed HB 4456 and HB 5524 on July 9. One raises energy-assistance income limits to 300% of poverty. The other itemizes every charge on your bill.Do Solar Panels Increase Your Property Taxes in Illinois? (2026)Adding solar raises your home's value — so will your property taxes jump too? In Illinois, no. The state's special solar assessment keeps that value off your tax bill.New Illinois Solar for All Income Limits (2026): $97,200 for a Cook County Family of FourIllinois Solar for All raised its income limits on June 1, 2026. A family of four can earn $97,200 in Cook County and still qualify. Here are the county numbers.Will Illinois Have Rolling Blackouts? What ComEd's 'Critical Level' Alerts Mean (2026)ComEd told parts of Chicagoland the grid hit a 'critical level' during the July heat wave. Here's the honest answer on rolling blackout risk in Illinois — and what you can control.Freedom Forever Filed for Bankruptcy — What Illinois Solar Customers Should Do NowFreedom Forever filed Chapter 11 in April 2026. If your Illinois solar system is installed, unfinished, or under quote — here's exactly what to do next.ComEd & Ameren Want Another Rate Hike — CUB Found $1 Billion in Questionable SpendingComEd filed a $15.3B grid plan and Ameren wants millions more — CUB found over $1 billion in questionable spending. What the next IL rate hikes mean for you.What Solar Panels Really Cost in Illinois in 2026 (Honest Numbers, No Lead-Selling)What solar panels actually cost in Illinois in 2026 — real per-watt and per-system numbers, what changed this year, and why we don't sell your info to five callers.Illinois Electric Rates Keep Climbing — Does Solar Finally Make Sense in 2026?Ameren and ComEd rates are up ~90% in five years and still climbing. Here's how to see what you're on track to overpay — and whether solar finally makes sense.Illinois Net Metering Changed in 2025 — What It Costs You and How to Protect Your SavingsIllinois ended full retail net metering on Jan 1, 2025. Here's what the switch to net billing actually costs solar owners — and how to protect your savings.The 30% Solar Tax Credit Ended — Here's How Illinois Homeowners Still Get It in 2026The 30% federal tax credit ended for homeowner-owned systems on Dec 31, 2025. Here's how Illinois homeowners can still capture federal solar value in 2026.How Much Does a Solar Lease Cost Per Month in Illinois? (2026)What does a solar lease actually cost per month in Illinois? Real 2026 numbers, what's included, and how a predictable lease rate compares to a rising utility bill.Ameren vs ComEd 2026: Which Costs More Per kWh? (ComEd Runs ~1.5¢ Higher)ComEd averages ~17¢/kWh, Ameren Illinois ~15.5¢/kWh. See the full 2026 breakdown: supply charges, delivery fees, summer spikes, and how much it costs per month.The Iran War Is Sending Oil Prices Through the Roof — Will Your Illinois Electric Bill Follow?Oil is at $112/barrel after the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Here's how the Iran conflict could push Illinois electricity rates even higher — and what you can do now.Why Your Ameren Bill Keeps Going Up (and What MISO Has to Do With It)Ameren bills jumped 18-22% in summer 2025 and rose again June 1, 2026. Here's why MISO capacity auctions are driving your rates up and what you can do about it.The Real Cost of Solar Panels in Illinois: 2026 BreakdownWhat do solar panels actually cost in Illinois in 2026? Real numbers for cash purchase, lease, and Solar for All — from an installer who gets prices below the state average.Selling a House With Leased Solar Panels in Illinois (2026 Guide)Selling a house with leased solar panels in Illinois? Here's how the lease transfer works, what buyers actually think, and why it's not the problem most people expect — owned systems too.Solar Lease vs Buying Panels: I Did the Math for IllinoisShould you lease or buy solar panels in Illinois? I broke down the real numbers for both paths using current 2026 prices, incentives, and Ameren/ComEd rates.Data Centers = 70% of Illinois's Rate Spike (Here's What It Costs You)Data centers drove 70% of Illinois's capacity-cost spike in 2026. See the PJM/MISO mechanism, the per-household cost impact, and what to do to protect your bill.ComEd Rate Increase 2026: 10.399¢/kWh Through Sept 30 — What Changes Oct 1Updated Sept 2026: ComEd's 2026 rate increase put the Price to Compare at 10.399¢/kWh through September 30. What changed June 1, what resets October 1, the ICC delivery increases that don't reset, and your all-in cost per kWh.Illinois Electricity Rates Have Nearly Doubled Since 2021 — Here's What That Means for Your BillIllinois electricity rates have surged 90%+ since 2021. Here's what's driving the increases, what to expect next, and how to protect your household.Illinois Solar Incentives 2026: 7 Programs Worth $12,000-$18,000+Illinois solar incentives 2026: Illinois Shines RECs, the new $20/REC customer-owned adder, $300/kW DG rebate, battery rebate, net metering, and property tax exemption — worth $12,000-$18,000+ on an owned system. Plus no-cost Solar for All for income-eligible households.Solar Battery Backup in Illinois — What It Actually Powers and Whether It's Worth ItWhat does a solar battery actually run during an outage? How much does it cost with the $300/kWh rebate? Here's the honest breakdown for Illinois homeowners.
Google
5.0rating
Read all reviews on Google →

“41 panels, $10/month electric bills. Ryan stayed on top of the project from start to finish.”

Bruce Brooks
Bruce BrooksShiloh, IL

“$10/month Ameren bills since June 2023. Outstanding knowledge and responsiveness.”

Rod Hinrichs
Rod HinrichsFreeburg, IL

“Ryan is knowledgeable, caring, and a really good listener. I highly recommend discussing solar with him.”

LH
Linda HaycraftShiloh, IL

Ready to See Your Numbers?

This article covers the big picture. For savings specific to your home, get a free consultation.

✓ Lease, cash, or Solar for All — explore your options

Get Your Free Quote

Every month on rising utility rates is money you could be saving.

Or call (618) 217-2001Info@ltdsolarconsulting.com