The federal residential credit is gone, but Illinois Shines, utility rebates, and property tax protection are still on the table. Here's how they add up.
The big change: no more 25D credit for 2026 installs
For years, the 30% federal residential clean energy credit was the headline incentive for home solar. Federal law ended that credit for expenditures made after December 31, 2025, so a home system installed in 2026 doesn't qualify. If someone quotes you a 30% federal credit on a 2026 residential install, ask them to show you the IRS guidance.
The good news: Illinois built its own incentives, and they still apply.
Illinois Shines REC payments
Illinois Shines pays for the renewable energy credits your system is expected to produce over a 15-year contract. For small residential systems approved on or after June 1, 2026, half of the incentive is paid when your system is energized and the remainder is paid quarterly over the next six years.
For the 2026-27 program year, customer-owned small systems that won't receive a federal credit can also qualify for an extra $20 per REC — a meaningful bump designed specifically for homeowners affected by the federal change.
ComEd and Ameren Distributed Generation Rebate
Illinois law requires ComEd and Ameren to pay a one-time rebate of $300 per kW of DC solar capacity for systems with a qualifying smart inverter, through December 31, 2029. Battery storage qualifies for $300 per kWh. On an 8 kW system that's about $2,400 — before any Illinois Shines payments.
Property tax protection
Illinois lets you file form PTAX-330 with your county assessor so your home is valued as if it had a conventional energy system. In other words, adding solar shouldn't raise your assessment.
Putting it together
Your exact savings depend on your utility, usage, roof, and the Illinois Shines block open when you apply. A Cox Solar proposal itemizes each incentive so you can see the real net cost.
