The Illinois Solar Battery Rebate
Thanks to the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, any home or business located within Ameren Illinois or ComEd utility service territory can take advantage of solar battery storage rebates. These rebates can significantly reduce the cost of adding storage to your solar project. Although stringent requirements and details are involved, the StraightUp Solar team is here to help.
In this webinar recording, StraightUp Solar’s VP of Development Shannon Fulton walks you though the requirements, important dates, and how much you can save. We can help with next steps whether you’re an eligible existing battery customer or want to join the StraightUp Solar community with a new solar battery solution.
What’s the Timeframe?
Illinois home and business owners must meet specific criteria to qualify for battery rebates, and the timelines differ between Ameren and ComEd. Ameren Illinois customers whose storage solution was added to their existing solar system after June 1, 2017, are eligible now for the rebate. Applications will be processed after January 7, 2023.
Those under ComEd service territory who added battery storage to their solar system on or after August 11, 2022, are eligible, with application processing starting on December 15, 2022.
How Does It Work?
The process begins with installing and operating a solar PV system and battery storage solution. Next, those qualified must submit a rebate application to their utility company. StraightUp Solar’s professionals will complete the installation and rebate application for you.
Once Ameren IL or ComEd obtains your application, you’ll receive the incentives as cash within 60 days after your system gains permission to operate. The cash incentives vary according to battery capacity in kilowatt-hours, but you can expect the following to apply:
For instance, a typical Illinois homeowner with a single Tesla Powerwall can expect an estimated cash rebate of 4,000 for their 13.5 kWh battery storage solution. There’s no better time than now to pair your system with battery storage or start your solar journey! What could you do with the extra cash?
The Solar Storage Batteries We Offer
StraightUp Solar offers quality solar battery storage products from two industry leaders: Tesla Powerwall and Enphase.
- The Tesla Powerwall connects to solar systems via Tesla gateways, which continuously monitor power in and out of your battery and automatically enter Storm Mode before severe weather arrives.
- The Enphase IQ Battery consists of 3 base storage units that can quickly scale up as your energy needs change and prioritizes power backup if it detects an incoming storm.
Why StraightUp Solar?
StraightUp Solar provides complete solar services from design to build (engineering, procurement, construction, installation) for solar systems, battery storage, Smart panels. and EV charging stations. We also offer professional operations and maintenance with every installation to ensure your system works at its full potential over the long term. With over 1,900 residential and commercial.scale solar projects in Missouri and Illinois under our belt, the StraightUp Solar team has you covered.
Driven by our CLEARE values, we prioritize people and planet in everything we do. We aim to ensure our customers make the most educated decision possible regarding solar. Therefore, we present all facts and provide support when needed. We’re here to help you harvest clean energy and work toward a greener future!
Take Advantage of the Illinois Solar Battery Rebate
Qualified residential and commercial solar customers in Illinois can receive significant cash incentives on their battery storage solutions. Our team is here to answer your questions, complete your application, and help you reap the benefits of the Illinois solar battery rebate. Existing customers can reach out to their Project Developer or reach out here.
If you’re new to the solar lifestyle, request a free quote today to get started!
Solar Power in Illinois
Solar energy Illinois is slowly but surely on the rise, and the state has made sure that the right initiatives are in place to guarantee an upward trend.
Organizations and homeowners have been incentivized already, and solar power is no longer a dream but becoming a reality, but before knowing the current statistics, you want to know how it all started.
Solar City Illinois came to be after the push by the RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standard) in 2007, which expected 25% of the power in Illinois to come entirely from renewable energy sources.
So far, the state has invested an astonishing 5000 billion towards solar power, and the number of solar roof Illinois has increased to as much as 2,000%. 6
As if that is not enough, the introduction of solar power has also been credited for the creation of thousands of jobs in the clean energy sector and the 28% decrease in the emission of greenhouse gases.
Besides the Illinois solar incentives, the 11% price drop in solar has also led to a high number of new solar panel owners in the state.
There is a lot more in store for you as an Illinoisan if you wish to go solar, and who knows, you could be a key player in helping the state achieve its dream 2045 goal to achieve 100% conversion rates.
It seems impossible at first but totally achievable, and you can tell that the government is ready to help make it happen.
How Much Are Solar Panels in Illinois? Cost of Solar Panels in Illinois
The first item up for discussion is the cost of solar panels in Illinois because you will have to pay for it in one way or another. 8 So how deep in your s do you have to go to be called a solar panel owner?
What you need to buy the equipment and have it installed in your home can be anything between 13,000 to 17,595, but on average, 15,300 will do.
What this means is that you will have to have about 3.06 for every watt you install. Note that these are only general numbers and that you can easily spend less if you factor in the size of the system, the quality of the equipment, and several other factors.
But still, remember that the same way that the price can go down is the same way that it can escalate; it all depends on what you are really going for.
The general rule of thumb when it comes to all matters concerning the cost of solar panels in Illinois is that the more you need, the more you will spend. If you usually expect a giant energy bill at the end of the month, it only makes sense that you will find yourself spending more to install the panels.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Solar Panels in Illinois
You are thinking it and probably so is any other prospective solar panel buyer, why are solar panels so expensive?
Look at it this way, it may cost a lot of money upfront, but imagine how much you will save in the long run.
10 or 15 years down the line, you will thank yourself for making the decision when everybody else may be complaining about high utility costs and the solar panels are even more expensive by that time.
The good news is that the cost can go down if you play your cards right and consider the following factors:
The Size of the System
This has got to be one of the most important determinants of how much your installation will cost you. Simply put, the bigger you go, the higher the cost of solar panels in Illinois.
If your energy needs are higher, it will basically mean that you will need more panels and a generally more intricate system and no doubt pay more.
Solar Panel Quality
Next up, and something you should never take for granted is the quality of the product. 4 With a myriad of solar companies in Illinois.
You don’t want to fall prey to cheap, ineffective products. Yes, they will cost less, but what if they break down in a few years and you have to replace them?
The Solar Companies Doing the Job
Each solar company has specific products and there is no way that you will find identical versions. 9 Each comes with its own price tag and it is solely upon you to sift out the panels and equipment to find out which one of them you will go for.
Here is where you will save some or lose some, it all depends on your choice.
The Type of Installation
You should know that there are various ways to install solar panels, it can either be on the roof (the most obvious), on the ground, or on a carport.
Attaching on the roof is the simplest and cheapest way to go, but what if your roof cannot support the panels? You will have to resort to ground mounting, which will unfortunately cost you more.
The Type of Roof
Another aspect that many new customers tend to ignore is their roof type. You would think that it doesn’t matter but it is crucial, depending on the material because it is the one to determine how the racking process will go.
All those who know how to install solar panels on roof will tell you that there is a lot more to it. If you have a special roof, sadly, you will have to pay more for special equipment to effectively anchor the panels.
Illinois Solar Installation
From homeowners and small business owners in Champaign to Peoria, and Danville you can take advantage of all the benefits of solar energy for your home or business throughout the state of Illinois. Typical household solar panel installations provide 25 years of power with guaranteed power production. Solar electricity offers peace of mind over the wild fluctuations of energy markets and price volatility of utility-provided electricity.
Tap into local solar experts from Solar Energy Systems who can design a residential solar power plan for homeowners. Illinois families can lock in their energy costs for 25 years with reliance on the sun’s power for everyday living. We’ve also design and build large agricultural solar systems, commercial solar arrays for businesses, and arrays for governments,and school systems that call all improve profitability and/or contribute to the bottom line.
With years of experience, our team applies solid engineering and design skills to every solar power installation we design. We are constantly evaluating solar panel technology, equipment, and scalable innovations such as Tesla Powerwall to source the best combination of solar equipment that meets your specific needs.
Illinois Solar Incentives are Some of the Best in the Country!
With our multi-state background and more than 2,500 installations to date across all locations, we’re well-informed on the benefits of solar power upgrades, from the federal tax incentives to Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SRECs) through the Illinois Shines Program. Here’s an overview of the benefits for homeowners and businesses:
- Federal Solar Tax Credit — Also known as the Solar Investment Tax Credit, provides a federal tax credit equal to 30% of the total cost of solar panel installation and battery storage. Any remaining balance can be rolled over to the following year, and there is no cap on the amount of the credit.
- Illinois State Property Tax Exemption for Solar – Provides an automatic tax exemption and you don’t have to apply for it. When the local tax assessor is determining your tax-assessed value of your property, they will simply not include the value of your solar power system as part of the value.
- Illinois Solar Net Metering – Whether you’re an Ameren or ComEd utility customer, you can benefit from net metering. This means you’ll receive a credit on your energy bill for all the excess energy your solar energy system generates and sends back to the grid, helping you to offset your electricity bills with solar. In Illinois all utility companies participate and offers the full retail rate for excess solar energy.
- ComEd Commercial Solar Rebate Program – Offers up to 250 per kilowatt for systems under 5,000kW.
- Illinois Shines — This state program pays solar customers for energy produced. Payments continue over the life of the solar installation as long as it is producing power and on average residential solar energy systems could see 10,000 or more in savings.
Solar Incentives in Illinois are Some of the Best in the Nation [But the Clock is Ticking]
There are a number of solar incentives in Illinois available for homeowners who want to lock in a lower power rate for their home. The Federal Tax Credit offers a 30% tax credit for solar installations, and the Illinois Shines Incentive can provide up to 15,000 in rebates for homeowners who go solar. And as an added bonus, ComEd Net Metering allows homeowners to sell back any excess energy they generate to the utility company. Taken together, these incentives make solar installation more affordable than ever before, can save homeowners a significant amount of money on their energy costs and lock in the homes cost of power for 25 years.
However, these incentives will not last forever. In order to advance the transition to renewable energy and meet quotas these incentives were put in place by ComEd and the state and federal governments. It is likely the ComEd Net Metering program will be the first to head to the chopping block (see Illinois Public Act 99-0906 and Illinois Public Act 102-0662) followed by the Illinois Shines Block Program and lastly the Federal Tax Credit for Solar in 2035.
Homeowners that want energy independence should not wait for these programs to expire and the cost of electricity to increase, go solar today and have peace of mind looking towards the future.
What is ComEd Net Metering and how does it work
ComEd Net Metering is a program that allows homeowners to sell any excess energy they generate back to the utility company. The amount of energy generated by the solar panels is matched with the amount of energy used by the home, and any excess energy is sold back to ComEd at the retail rate. This program allows homeowners to reduce their energy costs and helps ComEd meet its renewable energy goals.
The Illinois Shines Incentive and Federal Tax Credit are two of the most important programs when it comes to residential solar installation in the state of Illinois. When combined, these incentives in conjunction with ComEd Net Metering are what make solar installations viable and save homeowners a significant amount of money on their costs.
The 30% Federal Tax Credit for going solar is a great incentive for homeowners looking to install solar panels for their home. This credit can be used to offset the cost of installation, making it more affordable. In order to receive this tax credit, the homeowner(s) must have a federal tax liability in the year(s) they plan on claiming the credit.
Additionally, the Illinois Shines Incentive provides rebates for solar installations, further reducing the cost approximately another 15% of the total retail cost!
This means qualified homeowners will have nearly 45% of the total system cost covered by federal and state solar incentives in Illinois!
The Main Benefits of Solar Installation for Homeowners
With energy costs increasing at ever-increasing rates, there has never been a better time to go solar in Illinois! By taking advantage of these solar incentives in Illinois, homeowners can save a significant amount of money on their solar installation costs.
Solar installation has a number of benefits for homeowners. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is the reduction in energy costs. Solar panels can reduce energy bills by 15-40%, depending on the size of the system and amount of sunlight received.
Beyond the fiscal solar incentives in Illinois, going solar obviously has its environmental benefits. It reduces our reliance on fossil fuels and helps to fight climate change. Additionally, solar installations provide shade, which can help to reduce cooling costs in the summer.
Perhaps the best benefit of solar installation is that it is your own personal power generation station, with a fixed in cost backed by a 20-25 year warranty. Your cost of power will be the same in 5, 10, even 20 years from now. Just imagine if you could have locked in the price of gas 20 years ago!
If you purchase your solar panels, once fully paid off you will eventually have “free” power for the remaining life of the system.
The Costs Associated to Waiting
So, if you are thinking about solar installation, now is a good time to do it. The solar incentives in Illinois make transitioning to renewable energy more affordable than ever, and you can save money on your energy bills from day one. By waiting you are not only increasing your long-term costs, but you will likely be paying more for a solar system in the future than you would today!
Now is the time to go solar and take advantage of these amazing solar incentives in Illinois! With 30% Federal Tax Credit, Illinois Shines Incentive and ComEd Net Metering Program all working together, you can save a significant amount of money on your energy bills from day one. Don’t wait any longer – contact us today to learn more about how you can make the switch to solar energy now and lock in your costs for years into the future.
Not only will this help protect against rising energy prices, but it also has many environmental benefits that are sure to please both you and Mother Nature!