Call NowFree Quote
Which Way Should Solar Panels Face in Illinois? East and West Roofs Make About 80% of South, North About 55%
guide12 min read

Which Way Should Solar Panels Face in Illinois? East and West Roofs Make About 80% of South, North About 55%

Ryan Cook••

South is the best direction for solar panels in Illinois, but it isn't the only good one. In the federal PVWatts model, a kilowatt of panels facing southeast or southwest makes about 94–95% of what it makes facing due south. East or west makes about 80%. North makes about 55% at a typical 30-degree pitch, and about 68% on a low roof. Those ratios barely move between Chicago and Belleville.

"My roof faces the wrong way" is one of the most common worries I hear on a first call. Most of the time the roof is fine. Sometimes it isn't, and I'd rather tell you that before you sign than after. Here's the math I use, run fresh for three Illinois towns.

The key numbers

What Figure Source / date
South-facing roof, 30° pitch 1,342 (Chicago) / 1,394 (Springfield) / 1,430 (Belleville) kWh per kW per year PVWatts v8, run Oct. 29, 2026
Southeast or southwest About 94–95% of south Same
East or west About 80% of south Same
North, 30° pitch / 18° pitch About 55% / about 68% of south Same
December output per kW, Chicago South 66 · West 36 · East 33 · North 10 kWh Same
How Illinois Shines counts your RECs PVWatts v8 using your array's actual tilt and azimuth, 14% losses, 0.5%/yr degradation Illinois Shines 2026-27 Program Guidebook (Apr. 17, 2026), Section 4 J
Arrays that may get extra Shines review Azimuth greater than 270° or less than 90° (aimed north of due west or due east) Same, Section 4 J item 5
ComEd's priciest Time-of-Day window Mid-Day Peak, 1–7 p.m.: 14.700¢ supply + 11.852¢ delivery per kWh Oct. 2026–May 2027 supply (ComEd Info Sheet 70, revised Aug. 21, 2026); delivery from April 2026 bills
Standard supply prices ComEd 10.103¢; Ameren 10.441¢ first 800 kWh Oct. 1, 2026–May 31, 2027

What each roof direction makes in Illinois

I ran PVWatts, the free production model from the national lab formerly known as NREL, for Chicago, Springfield and Belleville. Same setup every time: 1 kW of panels, flush roof mount, standard 14% system losses. Only the direction and the pitch changed.

Roof faces Chicago Springfield Belleville Share of south
South, 30° 1,342 1,394 1,430 100%
South, 18° (low pitch) 1,298 1,346 1,386 about 97%
Southwest, 30° 1,270 1,311 1,351 about 94–95%
Southeast, 30° 1,260 1,319 1,350 about 94–95%
West, 30° 1,080 1,114 1,155 about 80–81%
East, 30° 1,067 1,124 1,154 about 80–81%
North, 18° (low pitch) 910 945 984 about 68–69%
North, 30° 744 774 805 about 55–56%

kWh per kW of panels per year, PVWatts v8 estimates. A 30° pitch is about a 7/12 roof; 18° is about 4/12.

Two things jump out. First, the drop from south to southwest is small, about 5 to 6%. If your roof is turned 30 or 40 degrees off south, stop worrying about it. Second, location matters less than direction. Belleville's south roof beats Chicago's by about 7%. A Chicago roof facing west loses about 20%.

East or west: usually about four extra panels

The average Illinois home uses about 693 kWh a month, or roughly 8,316 a year. In Chicago, covering that with a south roof takes about 6.2 kW, or 15 to 16 panels at 400 watts. Facing west, it takes about 7.7 kW, roughly 19 panels. Facing east, about 7.8 kW, closer to 20.

That's the real cost of an east or west roof: more panels for the same output, which means a higher price if you're buying. It doesn't make the roof a bad candidate. Every kilowatt-hour those panels make still offsets power you'd otherwise buy from ComEd or Ameren.

Winter is where east and west hurt most. In December, a kilowatt facing south in Chicago makes about 66 kWh. Facing west it's about 36, facing east about 33. Spring and summer carry these roofs. In June, the gap almost closes: 140 kWh south, 136 west, 133 east. If you want the full seasonal picture, I charted it in how Illinois solar production drops in fall and winter.

Lots of Illinois houses have a gable running north to south, which gives you one east face and one west face. Splitting panels across both works fine. In Chicago the pair averages about 1,073 kWh per kW, and the two faces spread production across the day.

West wins the afternoon. Does it win the year?

This is the question I find most interesting, because the answer depends on your rate.

West-facing panels make more of their power late in the day. Correcting PVWatts' hours to the clock you actually live on, about 62% of a west array's yearly output in Chicago lands between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. For a south array it's about 44%, and for southwest about 55%. East is about 27%.

That window is ComEd's Time-of-Day Mid-Day Peak, the priciest hours on the rate. So I priced every hour of PVWatts output for one Chicago kilowatt, assuming the house uses each kilowatt-hour as it's made:

Roof faces ComEd standard rate ComEd Time-of-Day
South about $222 a year about $228
Southwest about $210 about $242
West about $179 about $221
Southeast about $209 about $189
East about $177 about $148

Per kW of panels, Chicago, PVWatts hourly output. Standard rate: 10.399¢ (June–Sept. 2026) / 10.103¢ (Oct. 2026–May 2027) Price to Compare plus 6.333¢ delivery. Time-of-Day: ComEd's published supply and delivery prices for each window (supply per Informational Sheet No. 70 as revised Aug. 21, 2026). The Time-of-Day column doesn't add ComEd's separate 1.69¢ transmission charge (as of October 2026), which is built into the Price to Compare; if it applies, it would lift every Time-of-Day figure by roughly $18–23 without changing the order. Estimates only.

On the standard rate, south wins and west trails by about 20%, same as the kilowatt-hours. On Time-of-Day, southwest pulls ahead of south, west nearly catches up, and east falls to about two-thirds of south.

My honest caveat: these are ceilings. Real homes don't use all their midday power. Since January 1, 2025, new Illinois solar customers get export credits against the supply section of the bill only, which I walked through in what changed with Illinois net metering. How those credits are valued on a time-based rate is something to confirm with ComEd before you switch. Ameren customers on the standard supply price pay the same per kWh at any hour, so for them it's a pure kilowatt-hour contest and south wins. Ameren's hourly program is a different story; see whether Ameren Power Smart Pricing is worth it.

My take: if you've got a southwest roof in ComEd territory, you may have the best roof on the block, not the second-best.

North-facing roofs: the hard look

A north roof at a normal pitch makes about 55% of what a south roof makes. In December it's close to useless: about 10 kWh per kilowatt in Chicago for the entire month.

Pitch changes the picture some. On a low 18-degree roof, north climbs to about 68% of south, because the panels are closer to flat and see more of the summer sky. That's still a lot of panels for not much power. The average Chicago home would need about 9 kW on a low north roof and more than 11 kW on a steeper one, against about 6.2 kW facing south.

Illinois Shines also flags these. The 2026-27 Guidebook says arrays with an azimuth greater than 270 degrees or less than 90 degrees, meaning anything aimed north of due west or due east, "may be subject to further review" so the administrator can understand the design. That isn't a ban. It's more paperwork and possible delay.

If north is your only open roof, I'd look at two other options first: a ground mount in the yard, or a south-facing garage or pole-barn roof. Those usually beat a north face by a wide margin.

Pitch matters less than you'd think

On a south roof, dropping from 30 degrees to 18 degrees costs only about 3% a year. Low-pitch roofs actually make a little more in June and noticeably less in December. Steep or shallow, a south roof is a good roof.

Pitch only becomes a big deal facing north, where flatter is better, and on very steep faces, which most Illinois homes don't have.

Your REC count follows the compass

If you buy your system, the Illinois Shines REC payment depends on direction too. The Guidebook says the application portal calculates your expected production with PVWatts Version 8, using the tilt and azimuth the Approved Vendor enters, 14% system losses and 0.5% annual degradation. One REC is 1,000 kWh.

The effect is simple. Our SREC guide estimates about 136 RECs over 15 years for an 8 kW ComEd-area system on a decent roof. If that roof faces south, put the same system on a west roof and it lands near 109, about 27 fewer. At $80.77 plus this program year's $20 customer-owned adder, that's roughly $2,700 less in gross REC value. Most of that reaches you through the Approved Vendor, so the net is lower.

The Guidebook also locks the Part I estimate as a ceiling: if the as-built system would score higher, the Part I number still stands, and if it scores lower, the lower number is used. Get the roof faces right on the application.

What I check on an east, west or north roof

Before I'd tell anyone their roof works, I look at five things:

  1. The production estimate for each roof face separately. One blended number for the whole system hides a weak face.
  2. Shade on that face. A clear west roof beats a shaded south roof. The state's yardstick is in our shaded-roof guide.
  3. How big each face is. A small south face plus a big west face often beats cramming everything onto one plane.
  4. Your rate. On ComEd Time-of-Day, west and southwest look better than the kilowatt-hours suggest.
  5. Lease or buy. On a lease, the company that owns the system designs it, so the production estimate for your roof shapes the offer, and it's worth asking to see it. If you're buying, more panels on an east or west roof means a higher price, and fewer RECs. I compare both paths in solar lease vs buy in Illinois.

If you want a quick read on your own roof, try our free roof check or the solar visualizer, then run the numbers in the savings calculator. Or just call me at (618) 217-2001. Send me your address and I'll tell you which faces of your roof I'd actually use, and which ones I'd leave alone.

All production and dollar figures are estimates from PVWatts and current published rates. Your roof, shade, equipment and usage will change them.

Sources

Interactive Tool

Calculate Your Solar Savings

Enter your monthly electric bill for an instant lease-vs-utility estimate built on your numbers — not a national average.

$Enter Your Information

$
$

Default: $0.16/kWh (ComEd & Ameren average)

Conservative (2%)Historical Average (6%)Aggressive (10%)

How We Calculate Your Savings

This calculator uses your custom utility rate (default $0.16/kWh for Illinois) with a 4.5% annual escalator compared to our lease rate as low as $0.10/kWh (est.) plus battery backup for 25 years, with the full rate schedule set in your contract. After the 25-year lease, you can keep the system for a low fair-market buyout — then your electricity cost drops to near-zero for the remaining life of the panels. Your actual savings may vary based on your specific usage patterns and system size.

Frequently Asked Questions

South, if you have the choice. In the federal PVWatts model, a kilowatt of panels on a south-facing roof at a 30-degree pitch makes about 1,342 kWh a year in Chicago, 1,394 in Springfield and 1,430 in Belleville. Southeast and southwest roofs land within about 6% of that, so treat them as nearly as good. East and west roofs make about 80% as much, which usually means three or four extra panels to get the same output on an average home. North is the weak face: about 55% of south at a 30-degree pitch and about 68% on a low 18-degree roof. Those percentages hold within a point or two from Chicago down to the Metro East, because latitude barely changes the ratio. Shade, roof condition and the size of each roof plane matter as much as the compass, so ask for a production estimate for each face of your actual roof before you sign anything.
Usually, yes. An east or west roof makes about 80% of what the same panels would make facing south: about 1,067 to 1,080 kWh per kilowatt a year in Chicago and 1,154 to 1,155 in Belleville, according to PVWatts. For the average Illinois home using 693 kWh a month, that's roughly 19 or 20 panels at 400 watts in Chicago instead of 15 or 16. Each kilowatt-hour costs a bit more to produce, but every one still offsets electricity you'd otherwise buy. West has a second advantage: it makes more of its power in the afternoon, when ComEd's Time-of-Day rate charges the most. December is the weak month. East and west roofs make roughly half of a south roof's December output, so they lean even harder on spring and summer. Ask your installer to show the yearly estimate for each roof face separately, not one blended number for the whole system.
You can, but it's rarely the first face I'd use. PVWatts puts a north-facing array at a 30-degree pitch at about 744 kWh per kilowatt a year in Chicago and 805 in Belleville, roughly 55% of a south-facing array. On a low 18-degree roof, close to a 4/12 pitch, it climbs to about 910 in Chicago and 984 in Belleville, around 68% of south. December is the real problem: about 10 to 20 kWh per kilowatt for the whole month. The Illinois Shines Guidebook also says arrays aimed anywhere north of due east or due west may get extra review from the program administrator, which can slow an application. If your only open roof faces north, price a ground mount or a south-facing garage or outbuilding roof first. A north face can earn its place as an add-on on a low-pitch roof, but I wouldn't build a whole system on one.
On a standard flat-rate plan, no. South still makes the most power: about 1,342 kWh per kilowatt a year in Chicago versus 1,270 for southwest, per PVWatts. On ComEd's Time-of-Day rate it can flip, because that rate charges the most from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. I priced every hour of PVWatts output at ComEd's Time-of-Day supply and delivery prices, assuming the house uses each kilowatt-hour as it's made. A kilowatt facing southwest came out near $242 a year, against about $228 facing south and $221 facing west. On ComEd's standard rate the same math gives south about $222 and southwest about $210. Real homes send part of their midday output back to the grid, and those credits are valued differently, so treat these as ceilings, not forecasts. Before you pair solar with any time-based rate, ask ComEd how your net metering credits would be valued on it.
Yes. Illinois Shines counts your RECs from estimated production, and the estimate uses your array's actual tilt and azimuth. The 2026-27 Guidebook says the application portal calculates production with PVWatts Version 8, using the tilt and azimuth the Approved Vendor enters, 14% system losses and 0.5% yearly degradation. One REC equals 1,000 kWh. An east or west array makes about 80% of a south array's output, so it earns about 20% fewer RECs over the 15-year contract. Our SREC guide estimates about 136 RECs for an 8 kW ComEd-area system on a decent roof; if that roof faces south, a west-facing version would land near 109, about 27 fewer. At $80.77 plus this program year's $20 customer-owned adder, that's roughly $2,700 less in gross REC value. Arrays aimed north of due east or due west may also get extra program review, so expect questions on those.

Related City Guides

Chicago, ILSpringfield, ILBelleville, IL

More Illinois Solar Guides

Solar Panels on a Metal Roof in Illinois: No Holes on Standing Seam, a Roof That Outlasts the Lease, and the Snow Plan to Ask ForYes, solar works on a metal roof. Standing seam takes clamps with no holes; corrugated needs sealed mounts. The Illinois lease, warranty and snow math.Can Solar Panels Run a Heat Pump in Illinois? Only With Summer Credits, and Here's the MathSolar can cover an Illinois heat pump over a year, not in January. Month-by-month Chicago math, how summer credits carry winter, and the ComEd rate to ask for.Do Solar Panels Cause Roof Leaks? The Illinois Warranty Line to Check Before You SignSolar panels don't leak. Bad mounts do. The roof-leak warranty line on your Illinois Shines disclosure form, ice dams, and what to do in the first 48 hours.Do You Need a Panel Upgrade for Solar in Illinois? The 40-Amp Rule, the $4,000–$6,000 Service Upgrade, and Cheaper FixesMost Illinois homes with 200-amp panels don't need an upgrade for solar. 100-amp homes often do. The 120% rule math, real costs, and the cheaper fixes.How to Lower Your Electric Bill This Winter in Illinois: 7 Moves Ranked by Real 2026 DollarsWinter savings on an Illinois electric bill start with your rate, not your light bulbs. Seven moves for Ameren and ComEd homes, ranked by estimated dollars.Solar on an Illinois Co-op or City Utility in 2026: Your 25 kW Right, the Insurance Rule That Ended, and the Lease CatchIf a co-op or city utility powers your Illinois home, a 2026 law guarantees solar up to 25 kW and ends the insurance demand. Credits and lease access vary.Illinois Heat Pump Rebates 2026: ComEd Takes Up to $2,000 Off, Ameren $900, and the $8,000 State Rebate Isn't Open YetComEd's 2026 heat pump discount runs up to $900–$2,000 by size and efficiency. Ameren's is $900. The 25C tax credit is gone, and Illinois HEAR still isn't open.Illinois SREC Prices 2026-27: $70–$81 per REC, Plus a $20 Owner AdderIllinois pays $70.37 (Ameren) or $80.77 (ComEd) per solar REC in 2026-27, plus $20 if you own the system. Here's what an 8 kW system earns and when it's paid.Solar Panel Payback Period in Illinois: 6½–9 Years in 2026An 8 kW solar system bought for cash in Illinois pays back in about 6½ to 9 years in 2026, counting Illinois Shines, the $300/kW rebate and today's rates.Behind on Your Ameren Illinois Bill? The Catch-Up Payment Drops From 25% to 10% on December 1Ameren Illinois wants 25% of a past-due balance to start a payment plan until Nov 30, then 10% from Dec 1. Plus four Ameren programs that can cut what you owe.ComEd's $3 Billion Data Center Hookup Bill: Who Pays the $2 Billion Gap?Testimony in ICC Docket 26-0364 says ComEd's data center hookups need $3B+ in upgrades, with deposits covering under 25%. What it means for your bill.Why ComEd Bills Go Up in November 2026: The New 3.758¢ ChargeComEd's Purchased Electricity Adjustment flips from a 1.551¢ credit to a 3.758¢ charge for November 2026. What it adds on 750 kWh, and who doesn't pay it.FERC Rejected PJM's Data Center Fix. Can Illinois's POWER Act Protect Your Bill?FERC rejected most of PJM's data center plan on Oct 9, 2026, leaving it to states. What Illinois's POWER Act would change for ComEd and Ameren bills, and when.Illinois Solar Tax Credit 2026: There Isn't One. Here's What Pays InsteadIllinois has no state solar tax credit in 2026, and the 30% federal credit ended for owned systems. What pays instead: a $300/kW rebate, RECs and a tax break.Illinois Solar Rebate 2026: ComEd and Ameren Pay $300 per kW. Who Gets the Check, and What You Give UpIllinois' solar rebate pays $300 per kW from ComEd or Ameren through 2029, about $1,800 on a 6 kW system. Who gets it on a lease, and what older systems lose.Nicor Gas Rate Settlement Approved: The $15 Customer Charge Starts Nov. 16, but Winter Bills Still RiseRegulators cut $139M from Nicor's gas rate request Oct. 15. The fixed charge falls to $15 on Nov. 16, but per-therm costs rise. Who pays more this winter.ComEd's Battery Rebate Changes October 19: No Hourly-Rate Rule, and Batteries Without Solar Qualify in 2027ComEd's revised rebate starts Oct. 19, 2026: the $300/kWh home battery rebate drops the hourly-rate rule, and batteries without solar qualify Jan. 1, 2027.How Long Do Solar Panels Last in Illinois? 25 to 35 Years, Still Making About 89% at Year 25Solar panels last 25 to 35 years, per the DOE. Illinois Shines assumes a 0.5% yearly loss, so year 25 still makes about 89%. What aging costs and the real risk.Is a Heat Pump Cheaper Than Propane in Illinois? Yes, by an Estimated $125 to $470 a YearIllinois propane averaged $1.83 a gallon on Oct. 5. At 2026 Ameren and ComEd rates, a heat pump heats for far less. The math, and Ameren's propane-switch help.Roof Too Shaded for Solar in Illinois? The State's 2× Tree Test and the Dollar MathToo shaded for solar? Illinois Shines' test: no tree closer than 2× the height it rises above your panels. What shade costs per year and who owns the tree.Why Is My Solar Loan Bigger Than the Cash Price? A '1.99%' Loan Can Really Cost 4.4%A solar loan's principal can run 10–30% above the cash price because of a dealer fee. The Illinois math, what a 1.99% rate really costs, and what to ask first.How Many Solar Panels Do I Need in Illinois? About 15, Town by TownThe average Illinois home needs about 15 solar panels (400 W, ~6 kW). Town-by-town PVWatts output, what your usage and roof direction change, and the math.Does Ameren or ComEd Pay for Spoiled Food After a Power Outage? What Illinois Law Actually CoversIllinois law makes Ameren and ComEd pay for spoiled food only after big 4+ hour outages, with waivers for unpreventable storms. The thresholds and claim forms.Solar Farm Lease Rates in Illinois (2026): Farm Managers Report $1,000 to $2,999 an AcreIllinois farm managers saw $1,000 to $2,999 an acre for new solar and wind leases in 2026, versus $227 to $384 cash rent. What the law protects, what to check.Cheapest Electricity in Chicago? No Year-Long Supplier Plan Beats ComEd's 10.103¢ (October 2026)On Oct. 8, 2026, none of the 28 year-long fixed plans posted for ComEd customers beat ComEd's 10.103¢ price. What's cheapest in Chicago and when to switch.Will Illinois Heating Bills Be Higher This Winter? Gas Down About 10%, Electric Heat Up About 3% (2026–27 Forecast)EIA's Oct. 6 outlook: Midwest gas-heated homes should spend about 10% less this winter and electric-heat homes about 3% more. What it means on Illinois bills.Why Is My ComEd Bill So High? 7 Things to Check First (October 2026)ComEd's price fell to 10.103¢ on Oct 1, but the nuclear credit on your bill shrank from 1.628¢ to about 0.1¢. Seven ComEd bill lines to check, in order.Why Is My Ameren Bill So High? 7 Things to Check First (October 2026)Ameren's supply price is 10.441¢ through May 2027, up 24% from last fall, and 259 of 260 town power deals cost more. Seven bill lines to check, in order.Generator or Home Battery for an Illinois Winter Outage? A 22 kW Generator Burns About $33 to $53 of Gas a DayA 22 kW standby generator burns about 57 therms a day at half load, roughly $33 to $53 on Illinois gas rates. When a battery beats it, and when it doesn't.Best Time to Go Solar in Illinois: Winter Is About 18% of Your Output. Spring Is 28%.In Illinois, Dec–Feb makes only about 18% of a year's solar output; March–May makes about 28%. Here's what waiting until spring costs at today's rates.Snow on Your Solar Panels in Illinois: Leave It There. Here's What It Actually Costs YouSnow costs Illinois solar owners less than they think: published estimates run 1% to 12% of a year's output. Why you shouldn't climb up to clear it, by region.Base Power Illinois Review (October 2026): The $95 Battery, 7.4–7.6¢ Supply, and the 3.48¢ Solar CatchBase Power's $95 battery prices ComEd supply at 7.4–7.6¢ from Oct 1. I read its Illinois contracts: a 12-year term, no aggregation, and a 3.48¢ solar credit.Ameren's Winter Electric Rate Is Up 24% From Last Year: October 2026 Prices Are 10.441¢ (Ameren) and 10.103¢ (ComEd)Ameren's price is 10.441¢/kWh from Oct 1, 2026, up 24% from last winter's 8.402¢. ComEd's is 10.103¢, up 4%. Supply cost by usage, 10-year history, next steps.Is a Heat Pump Cheaper Than Gas in Illinois? Only If You Drop the Gas Bill — the 2026 Math for Nicor, Peoples Gas and AmerenPer unit of heat, gas still beats a heat pump in every Illinois gas territory. The savings show up only when you close the gas account. 2026 math by utility.What It Costs to Charge an EV at Home in Illinois This Winter: About $49 a Month on ComEd, $32 to $45 on AmerenCharging an EV 1,000 miles a month costs an estimated $49 on ComEd and $32 to $45 on Ameren this winter, vs about $157 in gas. Rates, programs, and the math.Heat With Electricity on ComEd? One Line on Your Bill Can Halve Your Delivery Rate — and What Electric Heat Costs This WinterComEd's electric space heat class pays 3.215¢/kWh for delivery, not 6.333¢. How to check your bill, who qualifies, and what electric heat costs on Ameren.Average Electric Bill in Illinois (2026): What ComEd and Ameren Homes Really Pay, and What Moves October 1Illinois' average home used 693 kWh and paid $110 a month in 2024. At 2026 rates that usage runs an estimated $136 on ComEd and $147 on Ameren. Tables by usage.Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value in Illinois? What Zillow, Berkeley Lab and Fannie Mae Actually Say (2026)Owned solar sold for 4.1% more in Zillow's study and about $4 per watt in Berkeley Lab's. Leased panels count for $0 on a Fannie Mae appraisal. Illinois rules.Why Peoria Electric Bills Keep Rising (2026): Ameren Delivery, a 13.29¢ City Supply Deal, and the October 1 ResetPeoria pays Ameren 7.811¢/kWh for summer delivery plus supply: 11.326¢ from Ameren or 13.29¢ in the city deal through June 2027. What resets October 1.Is Ameren Power Smart Pricing Worth It in 2026? Last October Averaged 3.5¢, but One Peak Hour Can Erase the SavingsAmeren's hourly prices averaged 3.50¢ last October vs a 7.310¢ standard rate, but hourly customers pay transmission on peak-hour kW. Who wins, with real data.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.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.
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