↑
Electricity Rates Keep Rising
ComEd rates are up +90% in 5 years and projected to keep climbing. A solar lease gives you a rate as low as $0.10/kWh, predictable for 25 years.
$0 Down Solar Available — Compare Your Options
$0 Down Solar in Cicero, Illinois
ComEd rates are up +90% in 5 years. Compare $0 down lease, cash, and Solar for All options for your home.
$163
Average Bill
(and climbing ~6% each year)
$129/mo
Est. Lease + Battery
(predictable for 25 yrs — set in your contract)
4.1
Sun Hours/Day
(every home is unique)
26+ yrs
Years of Pure Profit
(profit + inflation protection)
Why Cicero Homeowners Are Switching to Solar Leases
With $0 down, no maintenance costs, and immediate savings on your ComEd bill, a solar lease is the easiest way to cut your electricity costs. Our trusted installer partners offer 25-year lease terms with battery storage included — all while ComEd rates keep climbing.
$0 Down
No upfront cost to compare lease options for your home.
Predictable Solar Payment
Compare a predictable solar payment against your current and projected ComEd bill.
Battery Included
Keep the lights on during outages with included battery storage.
No Maintenance
Your installer handles all repairs and monitoring for the life of the lease.
Prefer to own your system? We also offer cash purchase and financing options. Contact us to compare all options.
Cicero is a suburban community with a population of 84,189. The median income is 64,325, and median home value is 224,300. Homeownership stands at 54.6%, with 41.6% single-family homes. The median home age is around 1945, indicating an established housing stock. Only 10.9% of the workforce has a college education, and 3.8% work from home.
Homeowners in Cicero are paying more for electricity than ever. ComEd rates have surged and are projected to keep climbing. A $0 down solar lease can trade utility volatility for a predictable solar payment, while cash purchase and financing options are available for homeowners who prefer ownership.
Cicero experiences peak solar irradiance in summer, with GHI reaching over 6 kWh/m²/day. Winters see significantly lower GHI. The climate includes 28.3 inches of annual snowfall and 167 cloudy days, which can impact production. The suburban geography suggests varied lot sizes and potential tree cover considerations.
Solar in Cicero by the Numbers
The local figures behind every estimate on this page: who owns homes in Cicero, how much sun those roofs get, and what a typical system here produces.
- Location
- Cook CountyCicero, Illinois
- Population
- 84,189U.S. Census ACS 2022
- Owner-occupied homes
- 13,43254.6% of 26,367 housing units
- Median home value
- $224,300Solar-added value is 100% property-tax exempt in IL
- Median household income
- $64,325Solar for All eligibility is set by county income limits
- Usable sun hours per year
- 1,490about the Illinois average
- Sampled roof capacity
- 31 panels~17,816 kWh/yr DC (est.) on a representative Cicero roof, Google Solar API
- Typical system here
- 7 kW~10,059 kWh/yr est. at 4.1 peak sun hours/day
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022), Google Solar API building insights, Google Geocoding. Production and savings figures are estimates.
What Makes Solar Different in Cicero
With 54.6% homeownership and 41.6% single-family homes, many properties in Cicero are suitable for solar. The median home age of 1945 means many roofs may require assessment. The community's low work-from-home rate suggests typical commuter patterns.
Why Cicero Homeowners Are Going Solar
$
Strong IL Incentives
Illinois Shines RECs, $300/kW DG rebate, and 100% property tax exemption offset the expired federal ITC.
☼
4.1 Sun Hours/Day
Cicero gets enough sun to power most homes. Modern panels work great even on cloudy days.
☗
Home Value Boost
Solar adds value to your home — and Illinois exempts 100% of that value from property taxes.
★
Energy Independence
Stop being at the mercy of utility rate hikes. Own your power and control your energy costs.
ComEd Electricity Rates in Cicero
Current ComEd Rate
17.07¢
per kWh
ComEd residential electricity rates have increased +90% over the past 5 years, from 9¢/kWh to 17.07¢/kWh. That's nearly double what Cicero homeowners were paying just a few years ago.
Rate Trend Alert
Rates are projected to reach 19¢/kWh next year. PJM 2027-28 auction: $333.44/MW-day (new record, hit FERC price cap, still left 6,623 MW reliability shortfall). Northern IL faces capacity shortfalls by 2029.
Fix Your Rate With Solar
A solar lease gives you a rate as low as 10¢/kWh, predictable for 25 years — the full schedule is set in your contract. After that, keep the system for a low buyout and pay $0/mo. Meanwhile, ComEd rates keep climbing.
Solar Incentives Available in Cicero
Even without the federal tax credit, Illinois homeowners have access to some of the best solar incentives in the country.
Illinois Shines RECs (ComEd)
~$9,806*
50% paid in the first year after installation, remaining 50% in quarterly payments over 6 years. REC values went up for the new program year. Cash/finance buyers receive directly; lease customers benefit through lower payments.
Eligibility: Residential systems under 25 kW in ComEd territory
DG Rebate (Solar)
$300/kW
$300 per kW rebate from your utility. Average system in Cicero is ~7 kW (~$2,100 est.).
Eligibility: All IL residential solar with Ameren/ComEd
100% Property Tax Exemption
100%
Your home value increases but property taxes stay the same. Permanent exemption, no sunset date.
Eligibility: All IL residential solar installations
Solar for All (ILSFA)
No Solar Payments
Official state program for income-eligible households. No solar payments, no upfront costs, no credit check. Guaranteed savings on your electricity bill. Own your system after 6 years.
Eligibility: Household income at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI)
Net Metering Credits
~6-8¢/kWh
Earn credits for excess solar energy sent back to the grid. Credits never expire.
Eligibility: All new solar installations
Total Estimated Incentive Value
~$11,906+*
Solar Options in Cicero
Estimates based on average home in Cicero. Your actual costs and savings depend on your roof, shading, and usage. Get a free custom quote.
MOST POPULAR
25-Year Solar Lease + Battery
~$129/mo
$0 down — start saving from day one
Avg. ComEd bill$163/mo
Solar electricity
$84/mo~838 kWh/mo × $0.10/kWh (est.)
⏻ Battery Backup
$45/moIncluded on all 25-year leases
- ✓ Backup power during outages
- ✓ Use more of your solar in real-time
- ✓ Less energy sent to the utility
Est. solar + battery$129/mo
Avg. ComEd bill$163/mo
Predictable rate for25 years — set in your contract
Installer claims RECs + business ITC and carries the 15-year production contract liability — not you. Those savings are passed through as lower lease payments. Maintenance, monitoring, and repairs included for the full lease term. After 25 years, keep the system for a low fair-market buyout — then $0/mo for the remaining life of the panels.
Get Your $0 Down QuoteCash / Finance Purchase
$7,344
True cost after all incentives
System size7 kW
Gross cost (~$2.75/W)$19,250
DG/Smart Inverter rebate-$2,100
Cost after DG rebate (~90 days)$17,150
IL Shines RECs (50% yr 1 + quarterly)-$9,806
True net cost$7,344
Years of pure profit26+ years
25-year est. ROI~$62,340
After ~4 years breakeven, it's pure profit and inflation protection for the remaining 20+ years. Panels last 30+ years.
50% of your REC value is paid in the first year, remaining 50% quarterly over 6 years. You carry the 15-year production contract but keep full control and the lowest overall cost. Higher long-term ROI — you own the system and all production.
Get Cash/Finance QuoteAll figures are estimates based on area averages. Your actual savings will be calculated during a free consultation based on your specific home, roof, and energy usage.
Your Solar Savings Over Time
Estimated 25-Year Total Savings
$62,340
Without Solar
With Solar
Year 1Profit Starts Here
$1,956
$1,632
Year 5
$11,026
-$1,388
Year 10
$25,782
$7,843
Year 15
$45,528
$18,260
Year 20
$71,953
$30,389
Year 25
$107,315
$44,975
| Year | Without Solar | With Solar | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1Profit Starts | $1,956 | $1,632 | $324 |
| Year 2 | $4,029 | -$6,518 | $10,547 |
| Year 3 | $6,227 | -$4,836 | $11,063 |
| Year 4 | $8,557 | -$3,127 | $11,684 |
| Year 5 | $11,026 | -$1,388 | $12,414 |
| Year 6 | $13,644 | $383 | $13,261 |
| Year 7 | $16,418 | $2,189 | $14,230 |
| Year 8 | $19,359 | $4,032 | $15,327 |
| Year 9 | $22,477 | $5,916 | $16,561 |
| Year 10 | $25,782 | $7,843 | $17,938 |
| Year 11 | $29,285 | $9,817 | $19,467 |
| Year 12 | $32,998 | $11,842 | $21,155 |
| Year 13 | $36,933 | $13,921 | $23,012 |
| Year 14 | $41,105 | $16,059 | $25,046 |
| Year 15 | $45,528 | $18,260 | $27,268 |
| Year 16 | $50,215 | $20,529 | $29,687 |
| Year 17 | $55,184 | $22,870 | $32,314 |
| Year 18 | $60,451 | $25,290 | $35,161 |
| Year 19 | $66,035 | $27,795 | $38,240 |
| Year 20 | $71,953 | $30,389 | $41,563 |
| Year 21 | $78,226 | $33,081 | $45,144 |
| Year 22 | $84,875 | $35,878 | $48,997 |
| Year 23 | $91,924 | $38,787 | $53,137 |
| Year 24 | $99,395 | $41,816 | $57,579 |
| Year 25 | $107,315 | $44,975 | $62,340 |
How Going Solar Works
1
Free Consultation
We analyze your ComEd bill, roof, and energy usage to design the optimal system for your home.
2
Custom Proposal
You get a detailed proposal with estimated costs, savings, incentives, and financing options — no surprises.
3
Permitting & Design
We handle all permits, utility paperwork, and ComEd interconnection — you don't lift a finger.
4
Professional Installation
Our certified installers complete the installation in 1-2 days. Quality equipment with 25-year warranties.
5
System Activation
Your system goes live, monitoring starts, and your actual bill can be compared against the proposal projections.
Real Installations Across Illinois
Not stock photos. These are homes we helped go solar.
“41 panels, $10/month electric bills. Ryan stayed on top of the project from start to finish.”
Bruce BrooksShiloh, IL
“$10/month Ameren bills since June 2023. Outstanding knowledge and responsiveness.”
Rod HinrichsFreeburg, IL
“Ryan is knowledgeable, caring, and a really good listener. I highly recommend discussing solar with him.”
LH
Linda HaycraftShiloh, IL
Solar FAQ for Cicero
An average 7 kW system in Cicero costs approximately $19,250 before incentives. After the DG rebate and estimated Illinois Shines SREC (~$9,806 — starting June 2026, 50% paid as a lump sum, remaining 50% in quarterly payments over 6 years), the estimated net cost drops to around $7,344. Actual costs vary based on your home and system size.
Your savings depend on roof layout, usage, and whether you include battery backup. For Cicero, our model estimates a lease payment around $129/month against an average ComEd bill of $163/month. A custom quote compares lease, cash purchase, and Solar for All to find the best monthly and long-term outcome.
Optimal installation periods are typically during milder spring or fall months when temperatures are moderate, facilitating work. While GHI is highest in summer, comfortable working conditions in spring and fall can be advantageous for project scheduling and crew efficiency.
Given Cicero's established housing stock, installation timelines may involve initial roof assessments for older homes built around 1945. The competitive local solar market could influence scheduling, but typical project durations are generally consistent.
A significant portion of Cicero's homes, with a median age of 1945 and 30.1% built pre-1980, may require roof inspections or upgrades prior to solar panel installation. Single-family homes, comprising 41.6% of housing, generally offer suitable roof space.
Cicero's climate includes 28.3 inches of annual snowfall, which can temporarily cover panels and reduce production. The 167 cloudy days per year also impact solar energy generation. Summer temperatures average over 70 degrees Fahrenheit, maintaining favorable conditions.
RECs are measured per 1,000 kWh of solar production — more panels and more sunlight means a higher value. An average Cicero system (~7 kW) produces ~10,059 kWh/year = 10.1 RECs/year. Over the 15-year contract, the estimated customer value is ~$9,806 (85% of gross). Starting June 2026, 50% is paid as a lump sum after installation, with the remaining 50% in quarterly payments over 6 years. Cash/finance buyers receive this directly. Lease customers benefit through lower payments. See our REC Calculator for a custom estimate.
In Cicero, where the median home value is 224,300 and homeownership is 54.6%, solar installations can contribute to property appeal. Enhancements that improve energy efficiency are often viewed positively in the local real estate market.
With a 30-year minimum panel lifespan and a ~4-year breakeven in Cicero, that's approximately 26+ years of pure profit and inflation protection. After breakeven, your electricity cost drops to near-zero while utility rates keep climbing.
Pro Tips
1
Given the median home age of 1945, prioritize a thorough roof inspection to ensure structural integrity and suitability for a solar installation.
2
Account for Cicero's 28.3 inches of annual snowfall and 167 cloudy days when evaluating expected solar energy production throughout the year.
3
For the 41.6% single-family homes, assess potential tree shading, a common factor in established suburban neighborhoods like Cicero.
See Solar on YOUR Home
Upload a photo of your house and our AI will show you what solar panels would look like — instantly.
Ready to talk? Call Ryan directly:
(618) 217-2001More Solar Resources for Cicero
Savings Calculator
Detailed year-by-year savings breakdown
Incentive Guide
All available solar incentives
Electricity Rates
ComEd rate history & projections
Solar FAQ
Common questions answered
Commercial Solar
Solar for businesses & farms
Roofing Services
Solar-ready roof installation
From the Blog
ComEd Bills Spiking Again — June 2026Record capacity costs hitting ComEd customers
Solar Incentives 2026 — Complete GuideEvery rebate, credit & program still available
Solar Battery Backup in IllinoisWhat it powers and whether it's worth it
Data Centers Drove 70% of Rate SpikeHow Big Tech is raising your electric bill
Statewide Solar Guides That Apply in Cicero
Local solar numbers depend on your utility, Illinois incentive rules, and state program eligibility.
Also Serving Near Cicero
We provide solar consulting to homeowners throughout Illinois
Go Solar With $0 Down
See if your Cicero home qualifies for a $0 down solar lease. No obligation, no pressure — just real numbers for your situation.
✓ Lease, cash, or Solar for All — we find the best option for your home
ComEd rates are projected to rise again. Waiting means more months exposed to utility increases.