Community solar or rooftop solar? How to choose in Illinois

How community solar works

With community solar you don’t install anything. You sign a subscription with a company (an Approved Vendor or its designee), and credits show up on your utility bill. The Illinois Shines Consumer Protection Handbook says companies must tell you that:

• The value of your bill credits depends on your utility’s Price to Compare, so it can change.
• There may be a lag of one to three billing cycles before credits appear.
• If the project isn’t running yet, they must tell you the expected start date.

You must get the program’s standard Disclosure Form and informational brochure before you sign. Read the fee, how long the contract lasts, whether there’s an early termination fee, and how you cancel. You can look up a project’s form on the Illinois Shines disclosure forms page. Look up your utility’s current Price to Compare on Plug In Illinois.

How rooftop solar works now

Rooftop systems in ComEd, Ameren Illinois and MidAmerican territory can use net metering. The rules changed for systems connected on or after January 1, 2025:

• New systems (2025 or later): extra power you send to the grid earns credits against the supply part of your bill, one kilowatt-hour for one kilowatt-hour. The credits don’t expire, but the utility won’t pay you cash for them. See the CUB fact sheet and ComEd’s net metering FAQ.
• Older systems: ComEd says residential customers connected by December 31, 2024 keep full retail net metering (supply, delivery, and taxes and fees) for the life of the system.
• Distributed Generation rebate: CUB says Illinois law sets it at no less than $300 per kilowatt, and it requires a smart inverter. Ask your utility about current rebates.

Customers of a municipal utility or electric co-op should ask the utility about its own net metering policy (CUB).

Federal tax credit ended. The IRS says the Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) isn’t available for expenses made after December 31, 2025, and an expense counts as made when installation is complete. Don’t let a seller count that credit in a 2026 price. See the IRS and its FAQ on the 2025 law changes.

Which one fits you?

• Renting, or a shady or old roof? Community solar doesn’t need your roof.
• Moving soon? Read how a subscription can be cancelled or moved before you sign. Rooftop panels stay with the house.
• Want to own the system? Rooftop solar means upfront cost or financing, plus a contract with a vendor, but you keep the equipment.
• Lower income? Check Illinois Solar for All first. If you don’t qualify, Illinois Shines is open to everyone.

Red flags and your rights

The Illinois Shines Consumer Protection Handbook sets rules for sellers:

• A seller can only call solar “free” or “$0” if you’re guaranteed to pay nothing at all, including lease, subscription and early termination fees.
• Claims like “you’re guaranteed to save money” must be backed by a written savings guarantee in your contract.
• In person, the rep must give the name of the company they represent.

Get offers from more than one Approved Vendor, as Illinois Shines recommends. The Approved Vendor and the installer can be different companies, so ask who does what. To report a problem, the community solar disclosure form lists complaints@illinoisshines.com and (877) 708-3456.