Solar Incentives for Fairmont City

Every dollar you can save on your solar installation — updated for 2026.

Last updated: March 2026

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Federal ITC: Expired for Homeowners

The 30% residential ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 via the One Big Beautiful Bill. Systems installed in 2026+ receive zero federal tax credit if homeowner-owned.

However, if you lease your system, the installer can still claim the business ITC through 2027 — and pass savings to you through lower lease payments. Contact us to see how much you can save with a lease.

Available Incentives

Even without the federal credit, Illinois has some of the best solar incentives in the country.

Best Incentive

Illinois Shines RECs (Ameren Illinois)

~$6,005*

Avg. est. lump sum (~18 months)

The Illinois Shines program pays you for the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) your solar panels generate. You sign a 15-year production contract, and the estimated REC value of approximately $6,005 (based on average system size in Fairmont City) is paid as a lump sum within ~18 months of installation. Actual value varies based on your system size and production. The customer receives approximately 85% of the gross value — the remainder covers the approved vendor's fee and a 5% collateral held against underproduction. Cash/finance buyers receive this payment directly. Lease customers benefit through lower payments — the installer carries the 15-year contract liability.

REC Price: ~$66.34/REC

Contract: 15 years

Eligibility: 0-10 kW residential

Website: illinoisshines.com

DG Rebate (Solar)

~$1,800

$300/kW × ~6 kW avg.

Distributed Generation rebate from your utility under the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA). Received from your utility approximately 90 days after installation.

Property Tax Exemption

100%

Solar adds value to your home, but Illinois exempts 100% of that added value from property taxes. This is a permanent exemption with no sunset date. File PTAX-330 with your county assessor.

Solar for All (ILSFA)

No Payments

Official state program for income-eligible households. No solar payments, no upfront costs, no credit check. Guaranteed savings on your electricity bill. You may qualify if your household income is at or below 80% of your Area Median Income (AMI).

Check your eligibility →

Net Metering

~6-8¢/kWh

Post-January 2025 installations receive credits at the supply rate only (~6-8¢/kWh), not full retail. Credits never expire and roll forward month to month. Pre-2025 systems are grandfathered at full retail for 30 years.

Battery Storage Rebate

$300/kWh

Add battery storage and receive $300 per kWh rebate. A 10 kWh battery gets $3,000. Stackable with solar DG rebate. The upcoming Virtual Power Plant program (launching mid-2026) will let you earn additional revenue from your stored energy.

Incentive Stacking Example

~6 kW Average System in Fairmont City

Gross System Cost$17,400

DG Rebate ($300/kW)-$1,800

Illinois Shines RECs (lump sum, ~18 mo)-$6,005

Est. Net Cost (After All Incentives)~$9,595

The DG rebate is received from your utility approximately 90 days after installation. The estimated Illinois Shines REC lump sum (~$6,005) is received approximately 18 months after installation, directly to the homeowner for cash/finance purchases. Estimated total incentive value: ~$7,805. Actual values vary based on your system size.

Calculate Your REC Value

Adjust your system size and sun hours to see your estimated Illinois Shines REC lump sum.

System Size (kW)

Most IL homes: 5–10 kW

Utility Territory

Peak Sun Hours/Day: 3.8

3h (Chicago)4.8h (Southern IL)

Estimated REC Lump Sum (85% to customer)

$8,330

Paid within ~14–18 months of installation • Cash/finance buyers receive directly

How this is calculated

Illinois Shines measures value in RECs (Renewable Energy Credits). 1 REC = 1,000 kWh of solar production. More sunlight and more panels means more production — and a higher REC value.

Annual Production7.5 kW × 3.8 sun hrs × 365 days

10,403 kWh/year

Annual RECs10,403 kWh ÷ 1,000

10.4 RECs/year

Total 15-Year RECs10.4 × 14.2 (contract multiplier)

147.7 RECs

Gross REC Value147.7 RECs × $66.34/REC

$9,800

Tier: 0–10 kW • Ameren IL territory • 2025-2026 program year

Estimated Customer Lump Sum$9,800 × 85%

$8,330

~15% goes to approved vendor admin fee + 5% collateral for underproduction

Tier note: Your 7.5 kW system falls in the 0–10 kW tier at $66.34/REC. Systems over 10 kW drop to the 10–25 kW tier at $57.18/REC — a lower per-REC rate, though more total production may offset this.

Estimates based on 2025-2026 IL Shines Distributed Generation REC prices published by the Illinois Power Agency. Actual REC value depends on your system's measured production, which varies by roof orientation, shading, and panel efficiency. Lease customers benefit from RECs through lower payments — the installer claims the RECs and carries the 15-year production contract.

Get Your Estimated REC Value — Free Quote

We'll calculate your specific value based on your roof, shading, and optimal system size.

Check Solar for All Eligibility

See if your household qualifies for no-cost solar through the Illinois Solar for All program.

☰Official 2025-2026 Thresholds

Check Your Eligibility

Enter your information below to instantly check if you qualify for the Illinois Solar for All program — no solar payments, no upfront costs, guaranteed savings

Select Your County

Number of People in Household

Annual Household Income

Alternative Qualification Methods

You may also qualify if you participate in any of these programs, regardless of income:

✓SNAP (Food Stamps)

✓Medicaid

✓Section 8 Housing

✓SSI

✓LIHEAP

✓WIC

Incentive Questions

Yes, for homeowner-owned systems. The 30% residential ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. However, the business ITC still exists through 2027, which benefits lease/PPA customers — the installer claims the credit and passes savings to you.

Your solar installer handles the IL Shines application. They must be an Approved Vendor in the program. You sign a 15-year production contract, and the full REC value is paid as a lump sum within approximately 18 months of activation — not spread over the contract period.

Yes! The DG rebate, IL Shines RECs, property tax exemption, and net metering all stack together. Solar for All is a separate state program for income-eligible households — participants enjoy no solar payments and guaranteed savings.

The full REC lump sum is typically received within 14-18 months of system activation and IL Shines contract execution. It is a single payment, not installments over the 15-year contract period. Cash/finance buyers receive the check directly.

Yes, file form PTAX-330 with your county assessor's office after installation. This ensures the added home value from solar is exempt from property tax assessment.

More Solar Resources for Fairmont City

Savings CalculatorSee how much solar saves you Electricity RatesRate trends & bill analysis Solar FAQCommon questions answered

Maximize Your Incentives

We know every incentive inside and out. With a $0 down lease, the installer claims incentives and passes savings to you. Contact us to compare all options.

✓ Lease, cash, or Solar for All — every path benefits from IL incentives

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Incentive funding is limited. Lock in current rates before they change.

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