Solar Panel Costs in Illinois (2026)
Avg cost: $3.05/watt | 4 sun hours/day | Good
Illinois Solar Overview
$3.05/W
Cost Per Watt
4 hrs
Peak Sun Hours
2,600 MW
Installed Capacity
Good
Solar Rating
A typical 7 kW residential system in Illinois costs $23,058 before the federal tax credit and $16,141 after. With 4 peak sun hours per day, the system produces approximately 8,176 kWh annually, saving an estimated $1,308/year. The payback period is approximately 12.3 years.
Net Metering in Illinois
Available at retail rate
State Incentives & Tax Credits
Federal ITC (30%)
Save $6,917 on a 7 kW system. Available through 2032.
Illinois State Incentive
Illinois Shines program pays Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) worth $5,000-$10,000
Solar Service Costs in Illinois
| Service | Low | High | IL Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Solar Installation | $16,200 | $32,400 | $24,300 |
| Commercial Solar Installation | $54,000 | $216,000 | $108,000 |
| Battery Storage Installation | $5,400 | $16,200 | $10,800 |
| Solar Panel Removal | $1,620 | $5,400 | $3,240 |
| Solar Panel Cleaning | $162 | $648 | $324 |
| Inverter Replacement | $1,080 | $3,780 | $2,160 |
| Solar Roof Tiles | $43,200 | $81,000 | $59,400 |
| Solar Water Heater | $3,240 | $7,560 | $5,400 |
Top Solar Installers in Illinois
- StraightUp Solar
- Sunrun
- Trinity Solar
- Solar Experts
Always verify NABCEP certification, state licensing, insurance, and customer reviews. Get at least 3 written quotes.