Community Solar in Illinois

Access Solar Power without owning Panels!

Sign up to a Solar Farm!

Cubs or Cardinals; city or cornfields. There are plenty of topics that divide people in the Prairie State, but one thing everyone can agree on: Solar power in Illinois is the way of the future! 

Between 2020 and 2021, utility companies in Illinois have exponentially increased their solar capacity by over 250 megawatts, and they’re showing no signs of stopping. According to trends, Illinois is expected to increase solar capacity state-wide by over 1,700% in the next five years.

There’s even legislation in place requiring 25% of all energy production in the state to come from renewable sources, including solar, by 2025! 

Whether you live in the city or out in the country, solar power in Illinois is becoming more accessible to all residents. Soon, the whole state will be powered by clean, renewable energy!

Go Solar without needing panels!

Residential solar power in Illinois has been limited by multiple hurdles that homes face around the country.

“If you own a home — and it has a roof that is the right size, type, orientation, exposure, etc. — then you can buy, finance, or lease panels that are bolted to your roof to generate energy.”

This makes solar energy out of reach for most people.

In fact — traditional solar power is accessible to only about 20% of Illinoisians. But what about everyone else!

Benefits of Community Solar in Illinois

Community Solar is a membership to a local solar farm
where you get clean energy at 10-25% off!

No Panels

You don’t have to purchase, finance, or lease a solar system or attach anything to your home! There is no maintenance or installation. Just easy access to clean energy at a discount!

No Roof

You don’t have to worry about your roof size, age, or if trees are shading it.

No Limit

You don’t have to own your home or apartment. Renters can access solar!

No Problem!

You don’t have to commit to decades of paying off panels. Bring it if you move!

How Community Solar Works

Pay nothing, save money, help the environment AND a local business?? Really?

The cost of solar installation isn’t a burden you have to bear alone.

Instead of purchasing expensive solar panels and installing them on the roof of your house, community solar is more of a team-effort when it comes to producing solar power. 

Here’s how a community solar project works:

  1. A solar farm site is built in a suitable location, with ready connection to the electricity grid.
  2. People from around the state contribute money for management and maintenance of the farm, typically via monthly subscription.
  3. Large credits from power generated by the community solar project are sent back to the participants, ultimately reducing their electricity bills. 

Since the solar farm isn’t on your personal property, community solar members don’t have to own a “solar-ready” home in order to receive solar power. They don’t even have to own their home! This is a great option for renters. Plus, you don’t have to pay for the expensive upfront costs or worry about maintenance.

Even Illinois residents who rent or live in apartments can enjoy clean, renewable solar energy.

 

Get Your Energy from a Solar Farm!

Community Solar allows a group of people to “subscribe” to a solar farm.

The solar farm feeds clean energy into the electricity grid, which you get at a locked in savings rate every month!

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Sign up to a Solar Farm!

Sign up for Community Solar in Illinois!

1

Get Started

Register your interest in saving money on electricity by joining a local solar farm in Illinois.

Register Your Interest!
2

Get Matched

If solar farms are open in your area, we’ll match you to see. Or select a project yourself here!

Join a Solar Farm
3

Start Saving!

Within 1-3 months your solar farm goes active, and you receive a new lower energy bill!

Save 10-25% on Energy

Find a Solar Farm Near You

Sign up to a Solar Farm!

Support your Local Solar Farmers

Why buy dirty energy, often from the other side of the world, when we can capture clean energy — right outside of town?

Community Solar Farms in Illinois allow family farmers to lease some of their land for utilities and partners to set up small solar farms.

This supplements farm income and keeps energy local!

Find a Solar Farm Near Me

Reviews of Community Solar in Illinois

I cannot tell you how pleased I am
I am very proud that we get most of the electricity to run our house via solar energy. I would definitely recommend your company (and I have) because the transition to solar in this way has been very easy and seamless. 10 out of 10!
John H.
NY Solar Farm Subscriber
Perfect for what I needed!
I live in a townhouse where I was restricted to use solar panels. I am glad you have given me the opportunity to buy into solar energy!
Jennifer H.
ME Solar Farm Subscriber
Extremely easy to work with
Extremely easy to work with and to set up and I love being able to use solar to produce energy while also getting credits to save money!
Lauren C.
MD Solar Farm Subscriber
Highly recommended!
I am very satisfied with the entire process to this point. I’ve recommended solar farms to anyone interested.
Elizabeth R.
MD Solar Farm Subscriber
Saving money and helping the planet!
Solar is absolutely the way to go…I signed up with you when I bought this house, about 8 years ago, and have not had one bit of regret.
Penny M.
MD Solar Farm Subscriber

Solar Power to the People

Community solar in Illinois is gaining popularity because of its affordability and accessibility.

Without the need to purchase or install panels on your roof, community solar is a more affordable option that can benefit so many more people!

This includes renters, row homes, apartments, and rooftops that are not a good fit for panels.

— Sign up Now

Frequently
Asked
Questions

Pay nothing, save money on your bills, help the environment, and help a local business?? Seems too good to be true. It’s not!

Contact Us

Switching to Community Solar is easy!

Register here with your email and we’ll show you which solar farms you’re eligible for, and how much you can save.

Your relationship with your utility company won’t change at all!

Only the electrons that power your house. You’ll still receive energy the same way — it will just be cleaner and cheaper!

Start here to see if Community Solar works for you!

Thinking about installing solar panels on your Illinois home? It’s a great way to power your household, cut your energy bills, and maybe even get a monthly check from your utility company! However, it does cost money to install the panels.

The average cost of solar panel installation in Illinois is between $12,920 and $17,480. Where you land in that price range will depend on where you’re located in the state and the size/power of the system you choose. The larger and more powerful the system, the more it’s going to cost. 

While that might seem steep, the initial cost isn’t the only factor you should consider when thinking about installing solar panels in Illinois. Remember, you’ll also get a pretty hefty break on your energy bills. Over time, those savings will add up and eventually pay for the panel installation! 

Most Illinois property owners who install solar recoup the cost of installation within 7.74 years. That might seem like a long time, but it’s completely worth it if you plan on staying in your home for a long time. If you generate more energy than you use, you can even sell some electricity back to the utility company through net metering, helping you reach the breakeven point even faster!

Still reeling from sticker shock? Because the Illinois government wants more people to go solar, they offer several state incentives to make solar more accessible to homeowners and help them afford the equipment and installation costs:

  • Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) – The federal government offers a 26% tax credit on home solar systems installed by the end of 2022. That number drops to 22% in 2023.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) – Earn credits off your energy bill based on the kilowatt-hours produced by your home solar system.
  • Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Low-Income Community Solar Programs – Low-income homeowners who are eligible for the ILSFA solar program can enjoy $0 up-front costs when installing solar panels.

Unfortunately, not all Illinois solar incentives are available to everyone. For example, if you choose a rent-to-own option on your solar panels, you might not be eligible for the incentives. Only the owner of solar equipment is eligible for incentives, and you don’t technically own your equipment (yet).

Before choosing a solar option, do your research and understand which incentives you can take advantage of. It’ll drastically help you cover the cost of installation.

Overcome the Limits and Access Solar!

Sign up to a Solar Farm!