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Is Solar Worth It in Bartlett, Illinois?

With ComEd bills running high and the federal tax credit gone, does rooftop solar still pencil out in Illinois? Answer 5 questions for a straight estimate — no address needed, nothing is stored.

Last updated: October 8, 2026

The calculator

One honest limitation: we can't see your roof from here — there's no satellite imagery in this tool. You tell us which way your roof faces, and we do the math from there. Every number below is an estimate, not a quote.

Used only to confirm your town — nothing is stored or sent anywhere except a ZIP lookup.
South-facing catches the most sun in Illinois. East/west roofs still work, just ~17% less.
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Recommended system size
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Est. annual production
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Est. gross cost (~$3.00/W)
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Est. net cost after incentives
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Est. annual bill savings
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Simple payback period

Incentives in this estimate

  • Federal residential tax credit (25D)$0

Ended December 31, 2025, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. $0 for any homeowner-owned system installed now.

  • ComEd DG (smart inverter) rebate — $300/kW–
  • Illinois Shines RECs — ~$75/MWh × 15 yrs (est.)–

The REC payment goes to the program's Approved Vendor — installers usually pass it through as an upfront discount. Confirm with any installer you quote.

Estimate, not a quote. This tool doesn't assess your roof's age or condition, HOA rules, electrical panel capacity, tree-trimming needs, panel degradation, or inverter replacement. Export credits are modeled at ~10.1¢/kWh (ComEd's current supply price); Illinois' Smart Solar Billing uses time-of-use dynamic pricing, so real export value varies. No rate increases are assumed over 25 years (conservative). Get at least three installer quotes before deciding — and never sign a loan that assumes a tax credit you won't get.

How the math works

  • Your usage: monthly bill × 12 ÷ $0.18/kWh (ComEd's approximate bundled residential rate).
  • Production: ~1,300 kWh per kW per year for a south-facing system in the Chicago area (typical modeled value), adjusted for the roof direction and shade you picked.
  • System size: sized to cover your annual usage, capped at 20 kW for a typical home.
  • Savings: about 60% of solar output is assumed used at home (offsetting the full 18¢); the other 40% is exported and credited at roughly the supply-only rate (~10.1¢/kWh). No battery assumed.
  • Costs: ~$3.00 per watt installed, the Illinois-typical range in 2026.

Full source list and every assumption are documented in our research notes. Wondering why your ComEd bill is so high in the first place? That's the other half of the story.

Solar in Illinois FAQ

Does the 30% federal solar tax credit still exist in 2026?

No. The residential solar credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. If a 2026 quote still subtracts 30%, that math is wrong for a homeowner-owned system. Leased systems can still carry federal value through the commercial credit, claimed by the company that owns the equipment.

What happened to net metering in Illinois?

Full retail net metering ended for new Illinois solar customers on January 1, 2025. New systems go on Smart Solar Billing: exported electricity earns credits only against the supply portion of your bill, at time-of-use-based dynamic prices. Using your solar power at home is now worth noticeably more than exporting it.

What is Illinois Shines and how much is it worth?

Illinois Shines (the Adjustable Block Program) pays for the renewable energy credits your system generates — recently around $70–$80 per MWh depending on utility territory, paid on 15 years of expected generation. The payment goes to the program's Approved Vendor and is typically passed through as an upfront installer discount.

How much does solar cost in Illinois in 2026?

Recent Illinois figures cluster around $2.80–$3.15 per watt installed before incentives — roughly $20,000–$25,000 gross for a typical 7–8 kW home system. Quotes vary widely by installer, roof complexity, and equipment tier, which is why multiple quotes matter.

Do I need a battery with solar in Illinois?

Not required, but batteries matter more since Smart Solar Billing arrived: storing daytime solar to use in the evening stretches savings because exports now earn less than self-used power. Illinois also offers a $300-per-kWh storage rebate.

Can renters get solar in Illinois?

Rooftop panels usually aren't an option for renters, but Illinois community solar lets you subscribe to a local solar farm and receive credits on your ComEd bill with no installation — the main path for renters and condo owners.