Solar Panel Cost in Illinois (2026): Price, Payback, Incentives

Q: How much do solar panels cost in Illinois?

At the state median installed price of $3.60 per watt (estimate), a 6.4 kW (estimate) system that covers a typical home's use costs about $23,000 (estimate) before incentives. Quotes vary with roof, equipment and installer.

Solar Panel Cost in Illinois

A typical Illinois home uses 693 kWh a month^[1] of electricity. Covering that with solar takes a system of about 6.4 kW est.^[1,2], which costs roughly $19,500 to $26,500 est.^[1,2,3] before incentives at the state's median installed price. With Illinois's average residential price of 19.23¢ per kWh^[4], our model puts payback at about 18 years est.^[1,2,3,4,5]. Your quote, roof and utility plan will move these numbers, so treat them as a starting point.

Illinois solar at a glance

Average electricity price19.23¢/kWh^[4]Jan–Aug 2026 average (preliminary)

Average home use693 kWh/mo^[1]2024 average

Solar output per kW1,309 kWh/yr^[2]PVWatts estimate for Chicago

Median installed price$3.60/W^[3]Estimate, before incentives

Typical system6.4 kWSized to cover 100% of use

Typical price$23,000Estimate, before incentives

Year-1 savings$1,160Estimate

Payback18 yearsEstimate, cash purchase

Estimates use the inputs above and the assumptions in our methodology: ComEd credits exports from new solar customers at about 8.41¢ per kWh; we use it for Illinois. Other utilities differ. Prices rise 2.5% a year; panels lose 0.5% a year.

Solar cost in Illinois by system size

Same assumptions as the typical home above; only the system size changes. Prices are the state median before incentives and include the incentives our calculator applies by default in Illinois.

Estimated cost, output and payback by system size in Illinois
System	Price before incentives^[3]	After incentives	kWh in year 1^[2]	Year-1 savings^[4]^[5]	Payback (years)
4 kW	$14,400	$14,400	5,240	$720	18
6 kW	$21,600	$21,600	7,850	$1,090	18
8 kW	$28,800	$28,800	10,470	$1,450	18
10 kW	$36,000	$36,000	13,090	$1,810	18
12 kW	$43,200	$43,200	15,710	$2,170	18

Incentives that lower the price in Illinois

Federal · tax creditEnding soon

Business credit for leased and PPA systems (48E)

Claimed by the system owner, not the homeowner; solar must begin construction by July 4, 2026 or be in service by December 31, 2027^[6]

If a company owns the panels on your roof (a lease or power purchase agreement), that company may claim the business clean electricity investment credit and can reflect it in your price. You cannot claim it yourself.

Who: Third-party-owned systems (leases and PPAs). Ask the provider whether the price assumes this credit.
Deadline: December 31, 2027
Checked: November 5, 2026

State · performance paymentAvailable

Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program) REC incentive

Payments for the Renewable Energy Credits (1 REC per MWh) a new solar system produces; amount set per block and shown on the customer's Disclosure Form^[7]

New distributed solar projects in Illinois developed through an Illinois Shines Approved Vendor.

Who: New distributed solar projects in Illinois developed through an Illinois Shines Approved Vendor.
Deadline: None set in the source
Checked: November 5, 2026

All Illinois incentives, including utility and local programs →

How Illinois utilities credit your solar

Customers interconnecting with ComEd or Ameren after December 31, 2024 get supply-only net metering: exported energy is credited only at the electricity supply rate, while delivery charges are billed on all energy drawn from the grid. Systems with permission to operate before 2025 keep full retail net metering for the life of the system.^[8]

We have not added every Illinois utility yet, so the estimates on this page use the state-level rule: ComEd credits exports from new solar customers at about 8.41¢ per kWh; we use it for Illinois. Other utilities differ.^[5]

Full Illinois net metering and export-credit rules →

Next steps

Run the solar calculator with Illinois defaults and your own bill.
Illinois solar incentives
Illinois net metering and export credits
How to vet installers in Illinois
Spot solar sales red flags and compare financing before you sign.

Frequently asked questions

How much do solar panels cost in Illinois?

At the state median installed price of $3.60 per watt est.^[3], a 6.4 kW est.^[1,2] system that covers a typical home's use costs about $23,000 est.^[1,2,3] before incentives. Quotes vary with roof, equipment and installer.

How long does solar take to pay for itself in Illinois?

For a cash purchase at the state's average electricity price of 19.23¢ per kWh^[4], our model estimates about 18 years est.^[1,2,3,4,5]. Your utility's export credit and rate plan matter a lot; see the export-credit table above.

Is there still a federal solar tax credit?

Not for homeowners who buy. The Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D)^[9] does not apply to systems whose installation is completed after December 31, 2025. Leased and PPA systems are different: the company that owns the system may still claim a business credit.