Solar Panel Cost in Illinois (2026)
Installed solar in Illinois runs about $2.85 per watt — roughly 10% above the national average of $2.58/W. With the federal residential tax credit (25D) gone as of 2026, payback here rests on a $0.16/kWh power price and 4.1 daily peak sun hours.
Worked example: a typical $150/month home in Illinois
A $150/month electric bill in Illinois works out to about 11,250 kWh a year. Sizing a cash-purchase system to cover 100% of that:
System size
9.6 kW
Panels
24
Annual offset
102%
Gross cost
$29,860
Federal credit (25D)
$0
Expired 12/31/2025 — $0
State incentive
$2,986
Net cost
$26,874
Payback
12.3 yr
25-year savings
$40,017
Last updated June 30, 2026
Illinois solar numbers
- Installed price
- $2.85 / watt
- Electricity price
- $0.16 / kWh
- Peak sun hours
- 4.1 hrs/day
- State incentive
- 10%
- Net-metering value
- 100% of retail
Local context: Illinois Shines (SRECs) and net metering combine to offset the state's moderate sun.
Estimate your own Illinois system
Adjust the bill, ownership, and battery options below — it's pre-set to Illinois's pricing and sun hours.
Estimated system cost
$34,904–$45,336
13.2 kW33 panels
Low $35kMost likely ~$40,120High $45k
Federal tax credit
— expired Dec 2025, we won't pretend otherwise
$0
State & utility incentives
–$4,012
Est. annual savings
$2,528
Payback period
~12.1 yr
Net cost
$31k–$41k
25-year net savings
+$55,867
iA ballpark estimate for planning — not a final quote.
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