Independent Illinois solar savings & eligibility resource · By The Day Company Editorial Team · Every figure on this page links its official source · Last reviewed August 7, 2026 · Established March 2023

ComEd Solar Guide 2026: Rates, Net Metering & RECs

The Day Company is an independent resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ComEd, Ameren Illinois, the IPA, the ICC, or any government agency.

Looking for one specific answer? How many solar panels you need in Illinois · How to tell if a solar quote is a good deal · Will you still get an electric bill after solar · ComEd Hourly Pricing, in full · What changes at the October 2026 ComEd rate reset · Whether a home battery is worth it in Illinois

Am I in ComEd territory, and who is this page for?

ComEd (Commonwealth Edison, an Exelon company) is the electric utility for Chicago and most of northern Illinois. The fastest check is your electric bill: if ComEd delivers your power, this page applies to you. This guide covers residential solar in ComEd territory only — rates, net metering, Illinois Shines Group B REC pricing, rebates, and process.

• ComEd customer? You're in the right place — Group B REC pricing and the figures below apply to you.
• Ameren Illinois customer (central/southern Illinois)? Your supply rate and REC group differ — see the ComEd vs Ameren comparison and our statewide Illinois Solar Facts & Data hub.
• Municipal utility or co-op customer (e.g., some towns run their own electric utility)? Different rules apply — see municipal utilities & co-ops. Your bill is authoritative.

What is the ComEd electricity rate in 2026?

ComEd's residential Price to Compare — the supply portion of the bill — is 10.399¢ per kWh, effective June 1, 2026, per the ICC's Plug In Illinois. It resets October 1, 2026; as of this review the October figure has not been published, and we don't estimate unpublished rates. Supply is only part of the bill: delivery charges are billed separately and apply to every customer regardless of supplier.

What the October reset actually changes, why the summer rate was set where it was, and what to watch for: the October 2026 ComEd rate reset →

Supply vs delivery: the two halves of a ComEd bill

Supply is the electricity itself — the Price to Compare above (electricity supply charge + transmission services charge), purchased through IPA-run procurements and passed through without markup. Delivery is ComEd's charge for wires, poles, and metering — it applies no matter who supplies your power. Why this matters for solar: 2026 net metering credits offset the supply side (details in the net metering section). The Price to Compare concept is explained by the ICC at Plug In Illinois — Understanding the Price to Compare.

Here is what the delivery half actually costs — the charges supply-only solar credits don't offset on the standard fixed-price rate:

Single-family, non-electric-space-heat delivery class, effective with the January 2026 billing period, per ComEd's Summary of Typical Residential Line Item Charges (PDF). Multi-family and electric-space-heat classes carry different values. Delivery rates reset each January. What a full bill looks like once panels are on the roof: will you still get an electric bill after solar? →

Why did ComEd bills jump — and how long will rates stay high?

Short version: record prices in PJM's capacity auctions, driven heavily by data-center demand growth. The Citizens Utility Board reports ComEd's June 2026 price is roughly 50% higher than two years ago, with customers paying about 12% more on average from June 2026 through May 2027. Full breakdown on our dedicated page: Why is my ComEd bill so high?

Five consecutive auctions, the last three pinned at the price cap — capacity costs in these results run through at least May 2029. CUB's analysis of what this means for ComEd customers: CUB Q&A — Why is ComEd's price spiking? (June 2026) and CUB's 2026 Power-Bill Guide. Note: Ameren Illinois is on a different regional grid (MISO), so its price drivers differ.

Does ComEd still offer net metering in 2026 — and how does it work now?

Yes. ComEd net metering exists in 2026, but under supply-only rules for new systems: for systems interconnected on or after January 1, 2025, exported electricity earns credits against the supply portion of the bill (not delivery) on the standard fixed-price rate — Hourly Pricing works differently. Systems interconnected before 2025 generally keep their prior full-retail arrangement. Official explainers: Illinois Shines Consumer FAQs and CUB Q&A — What's happening to solar in Illinois?

What supply-only netting means in practice

• Solar you use directly avoids the full bill — you simply buy fewer kWh (supply and the usage-based portion of delivery).
• Solar you export earns credits at the supply level — against a 10.399¢/kWh summer supply rate, exported energy still carries real value, but less than the pre-2025 full-retail treatment.
• Credits carry forward — per CUB, post-2025 net metering credits roll over month to month with no annual reset.
• Pre-2025 systems: generally keep their existing arrangement — but per Illinois Shines, accepting the Distributed Generation/Smart Inverter Rebate switches a pre-2025 system to supply-only netting, and that choice is not reversible.

Design consequence: under supply-only rules, systems sized to your actual usage — maximizing self-consumption rather than large exports — pencil out best. A qualified installer should model this, not hand-wave it.

What is ComEd hourly pricing, and can it be combined with solar?

ComEd's Hourly Pricing program (Rate BESH — Basic Electric Service, Hourly Pricing) is an optional supply rate where the price you pay varies hour to hour with the wholesale market, instead of the flat Price to Compare. It can be combined with net metering, and it's the one documented way a ComEd bill reaches zero with solar: unlike the fixed-price rate, Hourly Pricing credits apply as a dollar value against the whole bill — not just supply — and unused credit rolls to the next billing cycle.

How does Illinois Shines work for ComEd customers?

Illinois Shines (the Adjustable Block Program) is the state incentive: it pays for the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) your system is expected to produce. ComEd territory is Group B, which carries the state's strongest residential REC pricing for the 2026–27 program year (which began June 1, 2026).

• 1 REC = 1 megawatt-hour (1,000 kWh) of solar production.
• You participate through an IPA-registered Approved Vendor — the program pays the vendor, not you directly (mechanics in the CRGA section).
• The $20/REC customer-owned adder applies when you own the system — one concrete reason cash/loan ownership out-earns third-party-owned deals on REC value in 2026.

Full program explainer — who actually gets paid, when, the disclosure rules that protect you, and how to verify any company selling it to you: Illinois Shines, explained →

What could RECs be worth on a ComEd-territory system? (Illustration)

Production assumption (1,100–1,300 kWh/kW-yr) is an Illinois-typical range and is declared illustrative; roof orientation, tilt, and shading move real numbers. Price source: IPA 2026-27 REC price documents.

Who actually receives the REC money — and on what schedule? (CRGA)

This is the part sales pitches most often get wrong. Under the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (Public Act 104-0458, effective June 1, 2026), Illinois Shines REC payments go to the Approved Vendor — not to the homeowner — as 50% at energization, with the remainder paid ratably over the subsequent 6 years.

• Not a homeowner check: the program pays the Approved Vendor; your benefit typically shows up as a lower contract price or better terms. Ask any bidder to state, in writing, exactly how REC value is passed through to you.
• Not "quarterly": the statute's structure is 50% at energization + the remainder ratably over the following 6 years. Any pitch describing a different schedule is describing the program wrong.
• Contract check: your Illinois Shines disclosure form should match what the salesperson said. If it doesn't, believe the disclosure form.

The rest of the paperwork worth auditing before you sign — and how to check a company against the program's own public list: how to tell if a solar quote is a good deal →

Is there still a federal solar tax credit in 2026?

Not for homeowner purchases. The residential credit (§25D) does not apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025 — and under IRS guidance, an expenditure counts as made when installation is completed, so systems finished in 2026 don't qualify even if paid for in 2025. Third-party-owned deals (lease/PPA) are a separate, narrower story under §48E. Full breakdown: Did the solar tax credit end? — and if you're wondering whether Illinois has its own separate state credit to fall back on, it doesn't and never has: does Illinois have a state solar tax credit? →

• The one question to ask on any lease/PPA: "Does this specific project still qualify under §48E — which lane, and can you state it in writing?" A legitimate provider can answer.
• Instant red flag: any 2026 cash/loan quote claiming "the 30% federal tax credit." That credit ended December 31, 2025.

What is the ComEd smart inverter (DG) rebate?

A utility rebate required by Illinois law (220 ILCS 5/16-107.6): residential solar with a qualifying smart inverter earns a one-time $300 per kW (DC nameplate) payment from ComEd, and paired battery storage earns $300 per kWh — with the battery rebate carrying two conditions most pitches skip: enrollment in a Qualifying Utility Product (Rate BESH is one option, not the only one) for the life of the storage system, and enrollment in ComEd's scheduled-dispatch virtual power plant. It's separate from, and stacks with, Illinois Shines.

• Pre-2025 legacy systems, read carefully: taking the generation rebate permanently converts full-retail netting to supply-only — not reversible. Taking only the storage rebate does not (per CUB's fact sheet).
• For new 2026 installs there's no netting downside — supply-only already applies — so the rebate is straightforward value. Confirm in your contract who files the application and who receives the payment.

ComEd's ICC-approved Scheduled Dispatch Virtual Power Plant pays participating battery owners starting in 2027 — and taking the battery rebate above requires joining it: how the VPP program works → Whether that trade is worth making for your home: is a solar battery worth it in Illinois? →

How do you actually connect solar to ComEd's grid?

Through ComEd's interconnection process — normally handled by your installer. Per ComEd's official net metering FAQ, the interconnection application typically includes net metering (no separate filing), and netting begins after application approval plus a signed Certificate of Completion confirming permission to operate (PTO). Your smart meter records grid flows in both directions once you're live — it does not measure panel production, so use your installer's monitoring app for that.

What does solar cost in ComEd territory in 2026?

• REC value doesn't arrive as a check to you — it flows to the Approved Vendor on the CRGA schedule and should show up as a lower contract price. So compare quotes on the net price after REC pass-through, stated in writing.
• No federal credit applies to 2026 cash/loan purchases — any quote assuming one is wrong on day one.
• No payback promises here, ever: payback depends on your usage, self-consumption share, rate path, and financing. Ask every bidder for their assumptions instead of their conclusion.

The full equipment-cost breakdown for this state: how much do solar panels cost in Illinois? → Deciding how to pay? The full-term comparison — §48E value, the ownership adder, escalators, and UCC-1s: Lease vs PPA vs buying in Illinois →

What size system does a ComEd-territory home need?

Start from your own last 12 months of usage, not an average. For scale: Illinois homes averaged 693 kWh per month in 2024 per the U.S. EIA (EIA Table 5A, PDF) — about 8,300 kWh per year. At Illinois-typical production of ~1,100–1,300 kWh per kW per year (illustrative), that's roughly a 6.5–7.5 kW system on paper. Supply-only rules change the sizing logic: self-consumed solar is worth more than exported solar, so systems sized to actual usage — not oversized for big exports — pencil best.

The full method — the University of Illinois Extension production formula, what 2024 state usage data actually implies for panel count, and why national "how many panels" answers oversize Illinois homes: how many solar panels you need in Illinois →

Do you need a battery — and what happens in an outage?

No — solar and net metering work without storage. But know this before an outage surprises you: standard grid-tied solar shuts down when the grid goes down (a safety feature called anti-islanding). Backup power requires a battery or islanding-capable hardware. On the ComEd side the economics turn on the rebate's conditions: $300/kWh, but only with a Qualifying Utility Product for the life of the system and five years in the scheduled-dispatch VPP — see the rebate section.

Whether storage actually pencils for your home — what the rebate commits you to, how supply-only billing changes the math, and when backup alone settles it: is a solar battery worth it in Illinois? → Rebate fine print for both utilities: Illinois battery incentives, explained →

Does solar raise your Illinois property taxes?

Illinois law protects you here. Under 35 ILCS 200/10-10, a property owner with a solar energy system can claim an alternate valuation: the county assessor values the improvements both with the system and as if equipped with conventional heating/cooling, and applies the lesser of the two while the system is in use.

• How to claim: file Form PTAX-330 (Application for Solar Energy Assessment) with your chief county assessment officer — the form asks for cost and installation receipts. Get it from your county assessor's office.
• And to be explicit: Illinois has no residential solar sales-tax exemption. A pitch claiming one is telling you something false — treat it as a signal about the rest of the pitch.

The filing walked through step by step, including the 30-day notice duty if the system stops being used: do solar panels raise property taxes in Illinois? →

Can an HOA block solar panels in Illinois?

No. The Homeowners' Energy Policy Statement Act (765 ILCS 165/20) voids covenants that prohibit solar and sharply limits what associations can require. What they can do is narrow: set the configuration on a given roof face — and even that may not bar any roof face or cut the system's estimated annual production by more than 10%.

• An association cannot: require specific technology (e.g., solar shingles instead of panels), condition approval on neighbors' consent, inquire into your energy usage, impose conditions that impair operation or void component warranties, require post-installation reporting, or deny based on how you own or finance the system.
• On request, the association must adopt a written energy policy statement within 90 days; provisions conflicting with the Act are void as against public policy.

The complete cannot-do list, the 90-day policy-statement clock, exceptions, and what to do if your HOA still refuses: Can an HOA Block Solar in Illinois? →

What if your town runs its own electric utility?

Some northern-Illinois communities are served by a municipal utility or electric co-op instead of ComEd — Naperville is a well-known example. Your bill is authoritative: if ComEd isn't the utility named on it, the ComEd-specific rules on this page don't govern you.

• The state net-metering framework described above applies to investor-owned utilities; municipal utilities and co-ops set their own solar and billing policies — ask yours directly before signing anything.
• Illinois Shines still groups by regional grid: PJM-area munis and co-ops fall under Group B pricing and MISO-area under Group A, per the 2026-27 Program Guidebook (PDF).

Renting, or roof too shaded — what are your solar options?

Community solar. You subscribe to a share of a large solar project in your utility territory and receive bill credits on your ComEd bill — no panels, no roof, no ownership required. Illinois Shines describes it as the path for renters and homes where rooftop solar isn't practical (Illinois Shines — Solar Basics).

• Before subscribing: Illinois Shines requires providers to give you a Disclosure Form first — use it to compare multiple offers apples-to-apples. Same discipline as rooftop: how to verify any Illinois Shines provider →
• Income-eligible households: Illinois Solar for All community solar caps your subscription fee at no more than 50% of the value of your solar credits (ILSFA — Community Solar).
• Not sure how shaded is too shaded? That has a measurable answer: is your roof too shaded for solar?

ComEd-territory red flags: how solar pitches go wrong

Most Illinois solar companies are legitimate. The bad ones reuse the same lines. If you hear any of these, slow down:

• "I'm with ComEd." ComEd's role runs through interconnection paperwork, not door-to-door sales. Illinois Shines marketing rules require sales agents to identify their company and its Approved Vendor/Designee status at the start of a call (IPA Consumer Protection requirements, PDF).
• "You'll get a quarterly REC check." Wrong twice — payments go to the Approved Vendor, 50% at energization plus the remainder ratably over 6 years. See the CRGA section.
• "The 30% federal credit applies." Not on a 2026 cash/loan purchase — §25D ended Dec 31, 2025.
• "Free solar." It's a contract. Read the Illinois Shines Disclosure Form and make sure it matches the pitch — if they differ, believe the form.
• "Blocks are closing today — sign now." Capacity is genuinely finite, but check it yourself on the official Block Capacity Dashboard instead of taking a salesperson's word for the countdown.
• "This battery comes with a free electricity plan." Third-party battery-and-supply bundles are real and legal, but they're not this ComEd rebate program and run on very different terms — read the contract as its own thing: what those bundled offers actually say →

Verify and escalate: confirm any company on the Illinois Shines Approved Vendors & Designees page — or the walkthrough version: how to verify an Approved Vendor or Designee → Problems: Illinois Shines Consumer Complaint Center (877-708-3456), ICC Consumer Services (1-800-524-0795), or the Illinois Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.

Already holding a quote and want to audit it line by line: is my solar quote a good deal? →

ComEd vs Ameren Illinois: the 2026 solar numbers side by side

Bottom line for this page's audience: ComEd territory pairs the state's strongest ≤10 kW REC price with PJM-driven supply rates that official results show elevated into 2029. Ameren's storage-rebate rules moved in mid-2026 as the scheduled-dispatch program took effect — verify the current requirement in writing before signing anything on that side of the state.

Crossing the territory line? The Ameren side in full: Ameren Illinois net metering, explained → · Ameren's virtual power plant program → · why is my Ameren bill so high? →

From quote to energization: the ComEd-territory process

Eight stages, start to finish: quotes and vendor verification → site survey and a supply-only production model → contract plus the Illinois Shines Disclosure Form (has to be signed before the installation contract) → permits → interconnection application to ComEd → installation and inspection → Certificate of Completion → PTO and energization, which also starts the Approved Vendor's REC payment clock. No stage carries a guaranteed duration industry-wide — ask your installer for current, honest ranges.

How to compare ComEd-territory solar quotes

Four checks separate a comparable bid from an unreadable one. Normalize to $/W on DC nameplate capacity so different system sizes compare honestly. Demand the same production model from every bidder — your usage, supply-only netting, your actual roof, not a generic savings curve. Get the REC pass-through in dollars, in the contract — "we handle the Shines paperwork" isn't a number. And get the cash price and the financed price separately; the spread between them is the true cost of the financing.

The full audit for a quote already in your hand — the expired federal credit, reproducing the production claim yourself for free, the Disclosure Form, financing red flags, and your cancellation rights: is my solar quote a good deal? →

Questions to ask any ComEd-territory installer

Four are specific to this territory and worth asking every bidder:

1. Are you an Illinois Shines Approved Vendor or Designee — and can I verify you on the program's official list?
2. Exactly how does the $80.77/REC Group B value (plus the $20 customer-owned adder, if I buy) reach me — stated in dollars, in the contract?
3. Who files the ComEd interconnection application and the smart-inverter rebate, who receives the rebate payment, and how will I know when I have PTO?
4. If I add a battery: you're aware the rebate requires a Qualifying Utility Product for the life of the system and five years in the scheduled-dispatch VPP — have you modeled whether that fits my usage?

The complete pre-signature list — including the ICC certification docket number, the production assumptions behind the quote, dealer fees hidden between the cash and financed price, and your three-day cancellation right: the full questions-to-ask list →

ComEd solar myths vs the sourced reality

Glossary: the terms on your ComEd bill and solar contract

Price to Compare (PTC)

ComEd's default supply price — electricity supply charge plus transmission services charge (ICC/Plug In Illinois).

Supply charge

The electricity itself, procured via IPA events and passed through without markup.

Delivery charge

ComEd's charge for wires, poles, and metering — applies regardless of supplier.

Distribution facilities charge

The per-kWh delivery line — $0.06228/kWh for single-family non-electric-heat as of the January 2026 billing period.

Transmission services charge

High-voltage transport cost, included in the Price to Compare.

PEA

Purchased Electricity Adjustment — a monthly true-up so customers pay ComEd's actual power cost.

Rate BES

Basic Electric Service — ComEd's standard fixed-price supply rate.

Rate BESH / Hourly Pricing

ComEd's optional supply rate priced hour-by-hour at market. One option — not the only one — for satisfying the battery rebate's Qualifying Utility Product requirement, and the one rate where credits can cover an entire bill.

Qualifying Utility Product

The category of ComEd supply rate that satisfies the battery storage rebate's life-of-facility requirement. Rate BESH is one option; ComEd's rebate terms don't limit it to that one.

Rider POGNM

ComEd's net metering tariff (Parallel Operation of Retail Customer Generating Facilities with Net Metering).

Rider SDVPP

Scheduled Dispatch Virtual Power Plant — the tariff under which a utility dispatches enrolled home batteries during set summer hours; participation is required of battery-rebate recipients at both Illinois utilities.

Interconnection

The application/approval process to connect a generating system to ComEd's grid.

Certificate of Completion

The signed-off document confirming the finished, inspected system — precedes PTO.

PTO

Permission to operate — ComEd's green light to energize; netting participation starts here.

DER

Distributed energy resource — customer-sited generation or storage, like rooftop solar.

Smart inverter

An inverter meeting grid-support standards in ComEd's tariff; required for the DG rebate.

Anti-islanding

The safety behavior that shuts grid-tied solar down during outages.

kW / kWh / MWh

Power (size) / energy (usage) / 1,000 kWh — one MWh of solar production equals one REC.

REC

Renewable Energy Credit — the certified environmental attribute of 1 MWh of renewable generation.

Illinois Shines / ABP

The state's Adjustable Block Program paying for RECs from qualifying solar.

Group A / Group B

Shines pricing geography: Ameren/MISO-area (A) vs ComEd/PJM-area (B).

Approved Vendor (AV)

The IPA-vetted entity that submits Shines applications and holds the REC contract.

Designee

A company (e.g., seller or installer) working with customers under an Approved Vendor.

Customer-owned adder

The +$20/REC premium when the homeowner owns the system.

Small DG

Shines category for distributed systems ≤25 kW.

Block capacity

The finite MW allocation per program year — tracked on the official dashboard.

CRGA

Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (PA 104-0458) — restructured REC payments effective June 1, 2026.

Supply-only netting

Post-2024 rule: exports credit the supply portion of the bill only.

Legacy (full-retail) netting

Pre-2025 interconnections: credits across supply, delivery, and taxes for the system's life — forfeited by taking the generation rebate.

DG / Smart Inverter Rebate

ComEd's $300/kW solar and $300/kWh storage rebates under 220 ILCS 5/16-107.6.

PJM

The regional grid operator for ComEd territory; its capacity auctions drive supply costs.

MISO

The regional grid operator for Ameren Illinois territory.

CEJA

Illinois' 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, the framework behind current netting and rebate rules.

ICC / IPA / CUB

Illinois Commerce Commission (regulator) / Illinois Power Agency (program authority) / Citizens Utility Board (consumer advocate).

PTAX-330

The county form claiming the solar alternate property-tax valuation under 35 ILCS 200/10-10.

765 ILCS 165

The Homeowners' Energy Policy Statement Act — the HOA solar-rights law.

About this page

Who publishes this: The Day Company — an independent Illinois solar savings and eligibility resource, established March 2023. We connect qualifying homeowners with licensed, insured installation partners and may be compensated by partners. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by ComEd, Ameren Illinois, the IPA, the ICC, or any government agency.

Editorial standards: written and maintained by The Day Company Editorial Team. Every figure on this page links the exact official page it came from — state agencies, utilities, grid operators, federal sources, and CUB. We publish honest review dates, avoid payback promises, and correct errors: report anything at [email protected].

How to cite this page: "ComEd Solar Guide 2026: Rates, Net Metering & RECs," The Day Company, theday.company/comed-solar, reviewed August 7, 2026. Linking directly to the section anchor you're referencing is encouraged.

Changelog: 2026-07-16 — v1 published. · 2026-07-30 — v6: added verified per-kWh delivery/fixed charges, corrected the Ameren battery-rebate row, condensed several sections. · 2026-08-07 — corrected the battery-rebate rate-plan requirement throughout the page: ComEd's terms require any Qualifying Utility Product, not Rate BESH specifically. Trimmed the Hourly Pricing and interconnection-process sections, which had grown as deep as their own dedicated pages, and redirected to the fuller, more current treatment on each — done deliberately, to route readers and search engines to the page best equipped to answer, not to duplicate it here. Logo and social-sharing metadata updated.

ComEd solar FAQ: 73 questions, answered from official sources

Every answer below rests on the same official sources linked throughout this page — ICC/Plug In Illinois, the IPA/Illinois Shines, ComEd's own program documents, PJM, ilga.gov, the IRS, EIA, and CUB.

— Rates & bills —

What is the ComEd residential supply rate in 2026?

10.399¢ per kWh — the Price to Compare effective June 1, 2026, per the ICC's Plug In Illinois. That's the supply portion only; delivery charges are billed separately.

When does the ComEd supply rate change next?

October 1, 2026, when the summer-period rate resets. The October figure has not been published as of this review, and we don't estimate unpublished rates. What the reset changes: our October 2026 rate reset guide.

What's the difference between supply and delivery charges on a ComEd bill?

Supply is the electricity itself, purchased through IPA-run procurements and passed through without markup. Delivery is ComEd's charge for wires, poles, and metering, and it applies to every customer no matter who supplies the power.

What is the ComEd Price to Compare?

The sum of the electricity supply charge and the transmission services charge — the benchmark for comparing alternative supplier offers, published by the ICC at Plug In Illinois. In 2026 it's 10.399¢/kWh for ComEd.

Why did ComEd bills go up so much?

Record PJM capacity-auction prices, driven heavily by data-center demand growth. CUB reports ComEd's June 2026 price is about 50% higher than two years ago. Full breakdown: our ComEd bill explainer.

How long are ComEd rates expected to stay elevated?

The last three PJM capacity auctions all cleared at the FERC price cap, covering delivery years through May 2029 — so elevated supply pricing is already locked in through at least then. What it means for the next reset: the October 2026 rate reset.

Does solar reduce the delivery portion of a ComEd bill?

Partly. Solar you use directly means fewer kWh purchased, which reduces the per-kWh delivery charges. On the standard fixed-price rate, exported solar earns supply-section credits only, and the fixed charges apply to every bill regardless. The exception is Hourly Pricing. Charge by charge: your bill after solar.

What is ComEd hourly pricing?

An optional supply rate (Rate BESH) where the price varies hour to hour with the wholesale market instead of the flat Price to Compare. Full mechanics: ComEd Hourly Pricing + solar, explained.

Can I combine hourly pricing with solar?

Yes — ComEd's Hourly Pricing program documents net metering participation directly. On hourly pricing, netting credits are monetary rather than kWh-based, so model the combination against your usage pattern first: the full mechanics and worked example.

Is ComEd the same company as Exelon?

ComEd (Commonwealth Edison) is the electric utility serving Chicago and northern Illinois, and it operates as a subsidiary of Exelon. On your bill and in program paperwork, ComEd is the utility you deal with.

— Net metering —

Does ComEd still offer net metering in 2026?

Yes. New systems interconnected on or after January 1, 2025 receive supply-only net metering — exported energy credits the supply section of the bill. The program is active; the credit structure is what changed.

What is supply-only net metering?

Exports earn credits against supply charges (the electricity itself), not delivery charges. Per the Illinois Shines FAQ and ComEd's own materials, that's the standard for all new residential interconnections since January 1, 2025.

I installed solar before 2025 — do I keep full retail net metering?

Generally yes. ComEd's official net metering FAQ states customers who interconnected by December 31, 2024 keep full-retail netting — credits across supply, delivery, and taxes — for the life of the system. The exception: taking the generation rebate converts you to supply-only, irreversibly. The full legacy rules, with more nuance than fits here: ComEd net metering, explained.

How do net metering credits show up on a ComEd bill?

As credits in the supply section for post-2024 systems. Per ComEd's FAQ, fixed-price customers who interconnected from 2025 on can choose kWh credits or monetary credits; hourly-pricing customers receive monetary credits based on the price during the hours they exported.

Do ComEd net metering credits expire?

Not for systems interconnected on or after January 1, 2025 — ComEd's FAQ states those credits do not expire. Legacy fixed-price customers' kWh credits do reset annually as elected on their net metering form.

Does ComEd pay cash for excess solar power?

No — the value arrives as credits on your bill, not checks. Post-2024 fixed-price customers may elect a monetary bill credit, but it offsets your ComEd charges rather than being paid out as income.

What happens to net metering if I sell my house?

The system and its status generally attach to the home rather than the person, but there's a specific ComEd form and a real timing trap involved — this page won't try to compress it accurately, so get it from the source: ComEd net metering, explained covers the exact process and the deadline that catches sellers off guard.

How do I apply for ComEd net metering?

Usually you don't apply separately — the interconnection application typically includes it, and participation begins at PTO. ComEd's own regulatory deadlines for each stage of that process: the full interconnection timeline.

— Illinois Shines & RECs —

What is Illinois Shines?

The state's solar incentive program (statutorily the Adjustable Block Program), run by the Illinois Power Agency. It pays for the Renewable Energy Credits a qualifying system is expected to produce, through vetted Approved Vendors, with consumer-protection rules attached. Full program explainer: Illinois Shines, explained.

What is a REC?

A Renewable Energy Credit — the certified environmental attribute of one megawatt-hour (1,000 kWh) of renewable generation. Illinois Shines pays for your system's RECs; that payment is the core state incentive.

What is the ComEd-territory REC price for 2026–27?

$80.77 per REC for systems up to 10 kW — Group B pricing, the state's strongest residential tier, per the IPA's 2026-27 REC price documents. Larger residential tiers price lower per REC.

What is the $20 customer-owned adder?

An extra $20 per REC when the customer owns the system (cash or loan) rather than a third party. In ComEd territory that stacks to $100.77/REC on the ≤10 kW tier.

Who actually receives the Illinois Shines payment?

The Approved Vendor — not the homeowner. The program pays the vendor for your system's RECs; your benefit typically arrives as a lower contract price or better terms. Ask every bidder to state the pass-through in dollars, in writing.

How did the CRGA change REC payments?

The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (PA 104-0458, effective June 1, 2026) set the schedule: 50% to the Approved Vendor at energization, with the remainder paid ratably over the subsequent 6 years.

Is the REC payment quarterly?

No. The structure is 50% at energization plus the remainder ratably over the following 6 years, paid to the Approved Vendor. A pitch describing quarterly homeowner checks is describing the program wrong.

How long is the REC delivery term?

15 years for these residential contracts, per Illinois Shines program documents.

Is Illinois Shines funding still available right now?

Block capacity is finite and changes through the program year, so we never publish a live number. Check the official Block Capacity Dashboard yourself.

What is an Approved Vendor?

An entity vetted and registered by the program to submit Illinois Shines applications and hold the REC contract with the utility. Verify any company on the official list — here's how.

— Federal picture —

Is there still a federal solar tax credit in 2026?

Not for homeowner purchases. The §25D residential credit doesn't apply to expenditures after December 31, 2025, and the IRS counts an expenditure as made when installation is completed — so 2026-completed systems don't qualify.

When did the 25D residential credit end?

December 31, 2025, under P.L. 119-21. Credits claimed for 2025-completed installs may still carry forward. Full breakdown: did the solar tax credit end?

Does Illinois have its own state solar tax credit?

No — Illinois has never had a separate state income-tax credit for solar. What people are usually thinking of is the REC payment or the DG rebate, which are real but aren't tax credits. The full myth-buster: does Illinois have a state solar tax credit?

Can leases or PPAs still carry federal credit value?

Sometimes. The system's owner may hold §48E value, and whether any of it reaches your monthly rate depends on the specific offer. The only reliable move: ask whether the project still qualifies, under which lane, in writing.

What should I ask a company claiming a tax credit still applies?

"Which code section, which lane, and will you put it in writing?" For a 2026 cash/loan purchase, any claimed 30% federal credit is simply wrong.

Do batteries follow the same federal timeline?

Storage's federal treatment depends on how the project is structured and owned. Don't accept a verbal assurance — ask for any claimed storage credit identified by code section, in writing.

— Costs & savings —

How much does solar cost in ComEd territory in 2026?

As a declared illustration, ~$3 per watt installed: roughly $15,000 for 5 kW, $21,000 for 7 kW, $30,000 for 10 kW before incentives. Real quotes vary — the full state cost breakdown: how much do solar panels cost in Illinois?

What does ~$3 per watt mean in practice?

Take the DC system size in watts and multiply: 7,000 W × $3 ≈ $21,000. It's a planning yardstick for spotting outlier quotes, not a price.

How much electricity does 1 kW of solar produce in Illinois?

Roughly 1,100–1,300 kWh per year as an Illinois-typical illustrative range. The formula behind that range and how to turn it into a panel count: how many solar panels you need in Illinois.

How much electricity does the average Illinois home use?

693 kWh per month in 2024 per the U.S. EIA — about 8,300 kWh per year. Size to your own 12-month usage, not the average: the full sizing method.

Can solar eliminate a ComEd bill entirely?

On the standard fixed-price rate, no — fixed charges apply to every bill and supply-only credits don't offset delivery. On Hourly Pricing, a large enough credit balance can cover an entire bill. It's never paid as cash. See the zero-bill mechanic and what a normal post-solar bill looks like.

Is solar still worth it in ComEd territory without the federal credit?

For many homes the math still works: an elevated supply rate, the state's best REC pricing, and the $300/kW rebate. For others it doesn't. Run the full framework: Is solar worth it in Illinois?

— Rebate & equipment —

What is the ComEd smart inverter (DG) rebate?

A one-time $300-per-kW utility rebate for qualifying residential solar with a smart inverter, required by 220 ILCS 5/16-107.6 and separate from Illinois Shines. Full mechanics: ComEd's solar rebate, explained.

What conditions come with the battery storage rebate?

$300 per kWh of nameplate capacity, paired with a qualifying generation system and smart inverter. Two commitments come with it: you must enroll in a Qualifying Utility Product — Rate BESH is one option, not the only one — for the life of the storage system, and you must join ComEd's scheduled-dispatch virtual power plant for a five-year term. Full mechanics, including a 1-vs-2-battery comparison and an eligibility checker: the ComEd battery storage rebate, explained.

What is a smart inverter?

An inverter meeting the grid-support standards in ComEd's tariff. It's the qualifying equipment for the DG rebate; confirm on your specific quote.

Do I need a battery for solar to work?

No. Solar and net metering function without storage. The honest version of that decision, including what the rebate commits you to: is a solar battery worth it?

What happens during a power outage?

Standard grid-tied solar shuts down automatically — anti-islanding, a safety feature protecting line workers. Backup power requires a battery or islanding-capable equipment.

— Interconnection & process —

How do I connect solar to ComEd's grid?

Through ComEd's interconnection process, normally handled by your installer: application, approval, installation, inspection, Certificate of Completion, then permission to operate. The exact business-day deadlines ComEd itself must meet at each stage: the full timeline.

Does ComEd change my meter for solar?

ComEd's smart meters record energy flowing in both directions. The meter does not measure your panels' production — use your installer's monitoring app for that.

Can I track my ComEd interconnection status?

Yes — ComEd's MyGeneration portal (ComEd MyGeneration) walks the project stages and lets you track status through approval, installation, and PTO.

What is PTO (permission to operate)?

ComEd's green light to energize the system, issued once the interconnection application is approved and the Certificate of Completion is signed. Net metering participation is effective from PTO — and energization also starts the Approved Vendor's REC payment clock.

Who files the paperwork — me or the installer?

Usually the installer. Your job is verifying it happened: confirm submission, approval, and PTO in writing rather than assuming.

Can I install solar myself in Illinois?

It's possible but tightly regulated — the work must either qualify as a self-install under the Illinois Administrative Code or be performed by an ICC-certified installer. Most homeowners use certified installers.

— Property & legal —

Does solar raise my Illinois property taxes?

Illinois law provides protection: under 35 ILCS 200/10-10, you can claim an alternate valuation and the assessor applies the lesser of the with-solar and conventional-system values. Full filing walkthrough: do solar panels raise property taxes in Illinois?

What is Form PTAX-330?

The Application for Solar Energy Assessment — the claim form for the alternate valuation, filed with your chief county assessment officer with cost and installation receipts attached.

Is there an Illinois sales-tax exemption for solar?

No. Illinois has no residential solar sales-tax exemption — the real protection is the property-tax special assessment above. Any pitch claiming a sales-tax exemption is stating something false.

Can my HOA block solar panels?

No. Under 765 ILCS 165/20, covenants prohibiting solar are void. Full cannot-do list and exceptions: Can an HOA Block Solar in Illinois?

Do I need permits for solar?

Yes — solar systems must meet applicable state and local permitting standards, and your installer handles local permits as a standard step. Confirm permit responsibility in the contract.

— Territory & eligibility —

How do I know if I'm in ComEd territory?

Your electric bill is authoritative: if ComEd is the utility delivering your power, you're in. ComEd serves Chicago and most of northern Illinois; central and southern Illinois is largely Ameren territory.

Is Naperville served by ComEd?

Naperville is a well-known example of a community that operates its own municipal electric utility rather than being served by ComEd. The utility named on your bill decides which rules apply to you.

What if I'm served by a municipal utility or co-op?

Munis and co-ops set their own solar and billing policies — ask yours directly. Illinois Shines still groups them by grid region: PJM-area falls in Group B, MISO-area in Group A.

What about Ameren Illinois territory?

Different supply rate, different REC group, different grid (MISO). Side-by-side numbers: the comparison table; the Ameren side in full: Ameren net metering, explained.

Can renters get solar benefits in ComEd territory?

Yes — community solar. You subscribe to a shared project and receive bill credits, no roof or ownership required.

— Consumer protection —

Does ComEd send door-to-door solar salespeople?

ComEd's role runs through interconnection and program paperwork — not door-to-door sales. "I'm with ComEd" at your door is a red flag, not a credential.

What are the biggest Illinois solar red flags?

Utility-affiliation claims, quarterly-REC-check promises, 30%-federal-credit claims on 2026 purchases, "free solar," sign-today scarcity pressure. The full annotated list: red flags section. Auditing a quote you already have: is my solar quote a good deal?

How can I verify an Approved Vendor or Designee?

Check the company on the Illinois Shines Approved Vendors & Designees page, and review the program's complaint reports before signing. Walkthrough: how to verify an Approved Vendor or Designee.

What should be in writing before I sign?

The Illinois Shines Disclosure Form matching the pitch, the REC pass-through in dollars, cash and financed prices, warranties, and any claimed federal credit identified by code section. If the paper and the pitch differ, believe the paper.

Where do I complain about a solar company in Illinois?

Three sourced channels: the Illinois Shines Consumer Complaint Center (877-708-3456), ICC Consumer Services (1-800-524-0795), and the Illinois Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.

— Community solar —

What is community solar in ComEd territory?

A subscription to a share of a large solar project located in your utility territory. The project's production generates bill credits for subscribers — solar economics without panels on your roof.

Do I need to own my home for community solar?

No — renters can subscribe, which is much of the point. Income-eligible households can also use Illinois Solar for All community solar, capped at 50% of credit value.

Rooftop vs community solar — how do I choose?

Own a suitable roof and plan to stay? Rooftop captures the strongest economics. Renting, moving soon, or shaded? Community solar delivers credits without installation.

— About this page —

Who publishes this page?

The Day Company — an independent Illinois solar savings and eligibility resource established March 2023, maintained by our Editorial Team.

Is The Day Company affiliated with ComEd or the state?

No. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by ComEd, Ameren Illinois, the IPA, the ICC, or any government agency.

How is this page kept current?

Every figure links its official source, the page carries an honest last-reviewed date and changelog, and program or rate changes trigger review. Spot an error: [email protected].

How do I check my eligibility?

The 60-second check at check-eligibility — free, no obligation.

Related answers

Research hub: the official sources behind this page

State of Illinois: Plug In Illinois — ComEd Price to Compare · Plug In Illinois — Ameren Price to Compare · Illinois Shines — Program Documents & 2026-27 REC Prices · Illinois Shines — Consumer FAQs · Illinois Shines — Block Capacity Dashboard · Illinois Shines — Approved Vendors & Designees · 2026-27 Program Guidebook (PDF) · Illinois Solar for All — Community Solar · ilga.gov — Public Act 104-0458 (CRGA) · ilga.gov — 35 ILCS 200/10-10 · ilga.gov — 765 ILCS 165/20 · ICC — File a Complaint · Illinois Attorney General — Consumer Protection

Utilities & grid: ComEd — Summary of Typical Residential Line Item Charges (PDF) · ComEd — Net Metering FAQ (PDF) · ComEd — Solar Rebates · ComEd — MyGeneration project guide · ComEd Hourly Pricing — About · Ameren Illinois — DER Bulletin 2026-04 · PJM — 2028/29 auction results (Jul 14, 2026) · PJM — 2027/28 BRA Report (PDF)

Federal: IRS — P.L. 119-21 FAQs (§25D) · 26 U.S.C. §25D · CRS — Residential Clean Energy Credit expiration (IN12611) · U.S. EIA — Average monthly residential usage, Table 5A (PDF)

Consumer advocates: CUB — Why is ComEd's price spiking? (Jun 2026) · CUB — 2026 Power-Bill Guide · CUB — Solar & Storage Rebates fact sheet (Mar 2026, PDF)

On this site: Home · Illinois Solar Facts & Data · Illinois Solar Incentives · Is Solar Worth It in Illinois? · Why Is My ComEd Bill So High? · Did the Solar Tax Credit End? · Solar Answers · ComEd Net Metering · ComEd Hourly Pricing · Illinois Shines Explained · Verify an Approved Vendor · Ameren Net Metering · Ameren Virtual Power Plant · Battery Incentives · Battery + Supply Bundles · Lease vs PPA vs Buying · How Many Panels Do I Need? · Solar Panel Cost in Illinois · Is My Quote a Good Deal? · Your Bill After Solar · October 2026 Rate Reset · Is a Battery Worth It? · ComEd Virtual Power Plant · ComEd Solar Rebate · ComEd Battery Rebate · Solar & Property Taxes · HOA Solar Rights · State Solar Tax Credit Myth · Shaded Roof?