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Illinois Solar Rebate 2026: ComEd and Ameren Pay $300 per kW. Who Gets the Check, and What You Give Up
guide11 min read

Illinois Solar Rebate 2026: ComEd and Ameren Pay $300 per kW. Who Gets the Check, and What You Give Up

Ryan Cook•

Both ComEd and Ameren Illinois pay a one-time solar rebate of $300 per kilowatt of DC panel capacity for homes, as long as the system connects through a smart inverter. State law holds that rate through December 31, 2029, then drops it to $250 per kW on January 1, 2030. On a 6 kW system, about fifteen 400-watt panels, that's roughly $1,800. The check goes to whoever owns the system: you if you buy, the leasing company if you lease. And if your system was connected in 2025 or later, taking it costs you nothing.

That last line is where most of the confusion lives, so I'll spend some time on it. I'll also cover what changes on ComEd's side starting October 19, 2026, and the Ameren details that most rebate guides skip.

The key numbers

What Figure Source / date
Home solar rebate, ComEd or Ameren $300 per kW (DC nameplate), one time 220 ILCS 5/16-107.6(c)(2); ComEd 2026 rebate terms; Ameren Illinois solar page (Oct. 2026)
Rate after 2029 $250 per kW on or after Jan. 1, 2030 220 ILCS 5/16-107.6(c)(2); ComEd Informational Sheet No. 48, effective Oct. 19, 2026
ComEd commercial customers over 100 kW and community solar $250 per kW ComEd 2026 rebate terms
Ameren classes at $300 per kW Residential (DS-1) and small commercial (DS-2) Ameren Illinois customer-owned solar page
Equipment requirement Smart inverter meeting IEEE 1547-2018 (UL 1741 SA until those are available), set to the utility's required settings Rider DG REBATE; 220 ILCS 5/16-107.6(c)(4)
ComEd payment deadline 60 days after a complete application with the system operating ComEd Rider DG REBATE, Sheet No. 248.5, effective Oct. 19, 2026
ComEd's 24-month application expiry Removed starting Oct. 19, 2026 ComEd Rider DG REBATE, Sheet No. 248.4 (revised)
Net metering trade-off Ends delivery credits on exports; matters only for systems connected before 2025 220 ILCS 5/16-107.6(c)(3)

What the rebate pays, by system size

The math is one line: system size in kW times $300. Size is the DC nameplate rating on your panels, not the inverter's AC rating. These are estimates of the check, not a quote on the system.

System size (DC) Panels at 400 W Rebate at $300/kW (through 2029) At $250/kW (2030 on)
5 kW 12–13 $1,500 $1,250
6 kW 15 $1,800 $1,500
8 kW 20 $2,400 $2,000
10 kW 25 $3,000 $2,500
12 kW 30 $3,600 $3,000

Not sure what size you'd need? Our how many solar panels do I need guide walks through it with real Illinois production numbers. For a typical home, it lands near the 6 kW row.

One honest point about the 2030 step-down. It's real, but it's $50 per kW. On a 6 kW system that's $300. I wouldn't rush a decision over it, though I also wouldn't sit on a signed contract into late 2029.

ComEd vs Ameren: same law, different paperwork

The rebate comes from one state statute, Section 16-107.6 of the Public Utilities Act. That law puts the requirement on utilities serving more than 200,000 Illinois customers. So the $300 is the same in Chicago and in Belleville. How you get it isn't.

ComEd Ameren Illinois
Home rate $300 per kW $300 per kW-DC
Who files The system owner, through ComEd's online application; ask whether your installer files it A certified installer submits the paperwork; Ameren sends status updates from PowerClerk
When you can apply When the interconnection agreement is signed; that day's value is the one you get Ameren's page doesn't publish an application window
Payment deadline 60 days once the application is complete and the system is running Not stated on Ameren's page
Leased systems Rebate goes to the "owner or operator" Ameren: check your lease contract to see who can claim it
Battery add-on $300 per kWh with a virtual power plant commitment $300 per kWh; the battery must be charged by on-site renewable generation

The Ameren column has one line I'd underline. Its page says your ability to pick an alternative electric supplier "may be limited based on decisions you make when accepting a rebate." It doesn't spell out which decisions. If you're on an alternative supplier or a town aggregation deal in central or southern Illinois, ask Ameren or your installer about it before the rebate goes in.

What changes at ComEd on October 19

ComEd's revised rebate tariff is scheduled to take effect October 19, 2026. Most of the news is about batteries, which I covered in our ComEd battery rebate changes post. For solar alone, three things are worth knowing:

  • The 24-month clock is gone. The rider in force through October 18 voids an application if the system isn't running within 24 months of applying. The revised text drops that. If your project stalls on a roof replacement, you don't lose your place.
  • The 2030 step is now in ComEd's rate sheet. The revised Informational Sheet No. 48 shows $300 per kW for homes through 2029 and $250 starting January 1, 2030, matching the statute.
  • New labels, same money. The home solar rebate is now called a Non-Competitively Declared Generation Rebate. If you see "NCDGR" on paperwork, that's the $300 per kW.

There's a mismatch I want to flag. ComEd's rebate web page currently says a customer must agree to join its Scheduled Dispatch Virtual Power Plant to qualify for the DG Rebate. Both ComEd's 2026 terms and the revised rider tie that commitment to the battery rebate, not the solar one. ComEd's terms also say the tariff prevails in any conflict, and the tariff asks for it only on storage. If anyone tells you a solar-only system needs a virtual power plant enrollment, ask for it in writing with the tariff section.

Do you give up net metering by taking it?

For most people shopping today, no. Here's why.

State law says that once a rebate application is approved, the customer "shall no longer be entitled to receive any delivery service credits for the excess electricity generated." That sounds scary until you look at what new systems already get. Since January 1, 2025, new net metering customers at both utilities earn credits against the supply side of the bill only. ComEd's net metering FAQ says so, and Ameren's page says excess generation for applications after that date "will be credited to the bill's Supply section." There's no delivery credit left to give up. That's the trade the law made: the rebate up front, in place of delivery credits over time. Our net metering changes post explains how supply-only crediting works month to month.

If your system was connected before 2025, slow down. Those owners kept full retail net metering. ComEd describes it as credits against supply, delivery and taxes, lasting for the life of the system, which it puts at 30 years. Taking the $300 per kW on that older array ends the delivery credits permanently. Ameren says supply and transmission crediting continues. ComEd has to notify you of the change before it pays.

Is it ever worth it for an older system? Sometimes. A small system that rarely exports, an owner planning to move soon, or someone who'd rather have cash now might come out ahead. There's also a perk on the ComEd side: its FAQ says net metering credits stop expiring annually if you take the rebate. But the right answer depends on your export pattern and how long you'll stay, and there's no way to give the money back later. Run your own numbers first.

Who gets the check: buy vs lease

The law pays "the owner or operator" of the system, and it spells out that this includes third-party owned systems. So:

  • If you buy (cash or loan), the rebate is yours. So are the Illinois Shines REC payments that go to owners. Our REC calculator estimates what those could add up to. ComEd's terms note the rebate may be taxable and that rebates over $600 are reported to the IRS, so ask your tax preparer how to handle it.
  • If you lease, the leasing company owns the panels and claims the rebate. The value reaches you as $0 down, a battery included and a predictable payment, with your full 25-year rate schedule set in the contract before you sign. That's the trade, and for a lot of my customers it's the right one.

What I don't want is anyone getting surprised. "You get a $300-per-kW rebate" means something different on a lease than on a purchase, and the difference lives in the fine print. Get it in writing: who claims the rebate, and if it's you, who files and when. If you're comparing the two paths, the lease vs. buy breakdown goes deeper. If your household qualifies for Illinois Solar for All, that's a separate no-cost program with its own rules; start at our Solar for All page.

Who doesn't qualify

  • City-owned utilities and co-ops. The law covers utilities serving more than 200,000 Illinois customers. Naperville runs its own electric utility, so this rebate doesn't apply there. Its city rebate is a different program, covered in our Naperville solar post.
  • Systems without a smart inverter set to the utility's required settings. Ask your installer to confirm it before you sign.
  • Capacity that already got a rebate. You can't collect twice on the same panels. Adding panels later can qualify on the new capacity only.
  • Used or rebuilt equipment. ComEd's terms exclude resold, rebuilt and similar equipment.

Homes in an Equity Investment Eligible Community may see an extra amount someday. The law allows it, but the Illinois Commerce Commission sets it, and ComEd's revised sheet lists the same $300 for those projects through 2029.

Five questions to ask your installer

  1. Who will claim the rebate, me or your company? Is that in the contract?
  2. Is the inverter IEEE 1547-2018 certified and set to the utility's required smart-inverter settings?
  3. When will you file the rebate application, and will I get a copy?
  4. What DC nameplate size is the rebate based on?
  5. If my system was connected before 2025, what happens to my net metering if we apply?

What I'd do

If you're buying a new system on ComEd or Ameren in 2026, take the rebate. There's nothing to give up, and it comes off your real cost. If you're leasing, make sure the rebate's value shows up in the payment, and get the ownership language in writing. If you've had solar since before 2025, don't apply until you've priced out what your delivery credits are worth.

Want me to run the numbers for your home, with the rebate, RECs and both lease and purchase side by side? Call me at (618) 217-2001 or request a free quote. You can also start with our savings calculator. Every figure is an estimate until we've looked at your actual usage, and I'll show you how each one is built.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

The Illinois solar rebate is $300 per kilowatt of DC nameplate capacity for a home system on ComEd or Ameren Illinois, paid once. State law holds that amount through December 31, 2029, and drops it to $250 per kW starting January 1, 2030. A 6 kW system, about fifteen 400-watt panels, works out to roughly $1,800. A 10 kW system comes to about $3,000. The rebate is set by system size, not by what the system cost or how much it produces. To qualify, the system has to connect through a smart inverter that meets the utility's required settings. ComEd pays $250 per kW to larger commercial customers and community solar projects. Ameren's $300 rate covers its residential (DS-1) and small commercial (DS-2) customers. If you're on a city-owned utility such as Naperville's, this rebate doesn't apply; those utilities set their own programs.
Yes. Ameren Illinois pays $300 per kW-DC for a home or small business solar system connected through a smart inverter, under the same state law that covers ComEd. Its customer-owned solar page says the rebate is open to residential (DS-1) and small commercial (DS-2) customers, both to people who already have solar and to people who'll install it in the future. A certified installer submits the paperwork for you, and Ameren sends status updates from its PowerClerk system. Two Ameren details are worth knowing. First, if you lease, Ameren tells you to check your contract to see who can claim the rebate. Second, Ameren's page warns that decisions you make when accepting a rebate may limit your ability to choose an alternative electric supplier, so ask before you sign up with one. A battery added to an Ameren rebate application must be charged by on-site renewable generation, which in practice means solar.
The leasing company does, because it owns the equipment. Illinois law pays the rebate to the owner or operator of the system, and it specifically includes third-party owned systems. ComEd's rider uses the same owner-or-operator language, and Ameren tells leased customers to check their contract to see who can claim it. That doesn't mean the value disappears. On a lease, it's one of the incentives that lets the company offer $0 down, a battery included and a predictable payment, with the full 25-year rate schedule set in the contract before you sign. If you'd rather have the check land in your own account, buying the system is how you get it, along with the Illinois Shines REC payments that go to owners. Either way, ask the company to state in writing who claims the rebate, so nobody is surprised when the paperwork goes in.
Only if your system was connected before 2025. State law says that once a rebate is approved, the customer no longer gets delivery-service credits for exported power. A system connected in 2025 or later already earns supply-side credits only, so taking the $300 per kW costs you nothing extra. Older systems are different. Customers who interconnected by December 31, 2024 kept full retail net metering; at ComEd that means credits against supply, delivery and taxes. Taking the generation rebate on that older array ends the delivery credits for good. Ameren says supply and transmission crediting continues. ComEd must notify you of the change before it pays. One upside: ComEd says net metering credits don't expire annually for customers who take the rebate. If you have a pre-2025 system, run your own numbers before you apply, because there's no way to hand the rebate back later.
You can apply as soon as your interconnection agreement with ComEd is signed, which is usually before the panels go up. ComEd's rider says the rebate value in effect that day is the value you receive once the system is interconnected and has permission to operate. Starting October 19, 2026, the revised rider drops the old rule that voided an application if the system wasn't running within 24 months. Once the system is operating, ComEd has to pay within 60 days of having a complete application and every document it asked for. For a system with pre-2025 full net metering, ComEd must also have notified you about the switch to supply-only credits. ComEd takes applications online, and many installers file them for you. ComEd's DG Rebate team is at ComEd.DGRebate@dnv.com or (833) 688-7730 if a check seems late.

Related City Guides

Chicago, ILNaperville, ILAurora, ILJoliet, ILRockford, ILBelleville, ILSpringfield, ILPeoria, ILChampaign, ILEdwardsville, IL

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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.Ameren Rate Increase 2026: Summer Rate Ends — Oct 1 Price to Compare Is 10.441¢ (ComEd 10.103¢)Updated September 30, 2026: the Ameren rate increase put the summer Price to Compare at 11.326¢/kWh (ComEd 10.399¢) through September 30; from October 1 it is 10.441¢ (ComEd 10.103¢). See the average Illinois electric rate now, why bills jumped June 1, and what changed October 1.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: Oct 1 Supply Drops to 10.103¢, but Delivery Didn'tUpdated Oct 2026: ComEd's 2026 rate increase put the Price to Compare at 10.399¢/kWh through September 30; from October 1 it is 10.103¢/kWh. What changed June 1, what reset October 1, the ICC delivery increases that didn'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.
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