2025-2026 Program Year

Illinois Shines REC Calculator

See how much your solar system could earn through Illinois Shines Renewable Energy Credits. Values are based on actual production — more sun and more panels means a higher payout.

Most IL homes: 5–10 kW

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.

1
Annual Production7.5 kW × 3.8 sun hrs × 365 days

10,403 kWh/year

2
Annual RECs10,403 kWh ÷ 1,000

10.4 RECs/year

3
Total 15-Year RECs10.4 × 14.2 (contract multiplier)

147.7 RECs

4
Gross REC Value147.7 RECs × $66.34/REC

$9,800

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

5
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.

2025-2026 REC Price Tables

Official prices from the Illinois Power Agency. Group A = Ameren IL, Group B = ComEd. Published 2025-04-16.

IL Shines — Distributed Generation (Residential & Commercial)

System SizeAmeren IL ($/REC)ComEd ($/REC)
0–10 kWMost residential$66.34$75.48
10–25 kW$57.18$69.78
25–100 kW$59.53$69.65
100–200 kW$55.63$65.09
200–500 kW$45.64$53.40
500–2,000 kW$42.37$49.57
2,000–5,000 kW$31.96$37.39
1 REC = 1,000 kWh of solar production. Customer receives approximately 85% of gross value as a lump sum within 14–18 months.

ILSFA (Solar for All) — Distributed Generation (1–4 Units)

Higher REC values for income-qualified installations. These RECs go to the approved vendor — homeowners benefit through no solar payments.

System SizeAmeren IL ($/REC)ComEd ($/REC)
0–10 kWMost residential$194.82$185.02
10–25 kW$164.39$163.75
25–100 kW$132.30$137.93
100–200 kW$129.00$129.24
200–500 kW$120.41$119.30
500–2,000 kW$116.65$113.64
2,000–5,000 kW$101.37$97.45
ILSFA RECs are claimed by the approved vendor, not the homeowner. The higher REC value subsidizes the "no solar payments" guarantee for income-eligible households.

IL Shines vs. ILSFA — Key Differences

IL Shines (Cash/Finance Buyers)

  • ✓ Customer receives ~85% of REC value as lump sum
  • ✓ Paid within 14–18 months of installation
  • ✓ Customer signs 15-year production contract
  • ✓ Open to all IL homeowners with solar

ILSFA / Solar for All (Income-Qualified)

  • ✓ Higher REC values (~3x) fund no-cost solar
  • ✓ Homeowner pays nothing — no solar payments
  • ✓ Approved vendor claims RECs directly
  • ✓ Income-eligible (at or below 80% AMI)
Lease customers: With a $0 down solar lease, the installer claims the RECs and the business ITC, then passes those savings to you through lower lease payments. You benefit from the incentives without any paperwork, waiting, or carrying the 15-year production contract.

REC Calculator FAQ

A Renewable Energy Credit (REC) represents 1,000 kWh of electricity produced by your solar panels. Through the Illinois Shines program (part of the Adjustable Block Program), your solar system earns RECs based on its actual electricity production.
Your REC value depends on three factors: (1) how much electricity your system produces (more sun hours and more panels = more kWh = more RECs), (2) your utility territory (ComEd generally pays more per REC than Ameren IL), and (3) your system size tier (0-10 kW gets the highest per-REC rate for residential). The total is paid as a lump sum — you receive approximately 85% of the gross value.
The remaining ~15% covers two things: the Illinois Shines Approved Vendor's administrative fee for handling the application and contract management, and a 5% collateral reserve held against potential underproduction over the 15-year contract term. The 85% estimate is typical — your actual percentage may vary by vendor.
The Illinois Power Agency sets different REC prices for different system size tiers. Smaller residential systems (0-10 kW) get the highest per-REC rate because the program prioritizes small-scale distributed generation. Larger systems (10-25 kW, 25-100 kW, etc.) receive progressively lower per-REC rates, though their higher total production can still result in a larger overall payout.
The full REC value is paid as a single lump sum, typically within 14-18 months of system activation and contract execution. It is NOT spread over the 15-year contract period. Cash and finance buyers receive the payment directly.
With a solar lease, the installer claims the RECs and carries the 15-year production contract — not you. The REC value (along with the business ITC) is passed back to you through lower monthly lease payments. You benefit from the incentives without the paperwork or wait.

See Your Estimated REC Value

This calculator provides estimates based on area averages. We'll calculate your specific REC value based on your roof, shading, and optimal system design.

✓ Lease or own — you benefit from Illinois Shines either way

Get Your Free REC Estimate

REC prices are set annually by the Illinois Power Agency. Current prices are locked for the 2025-2026 program year.

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