Solar Net Metering Changes Coming to Illinois in 2025

As the cost of purchasing electricity from your utility continues to rise, so does the value of producing your own, clean, affordable solar energy. Solar allows you to generate electricity, lowering your electric costs for decades and reducing the amount of electricity you must purchase from your utility. However, changes introduced in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) will reduce the net metering benefit for new solar owners for ComEd, MidAmerican and Ameren customers.

Under the current policy, any energy you send back to the grid gets you full retail value for both supply and delivery credited on your electric bill. Starting January 1, 2025, customers will only receive supply credits. You will get no delivery credits for excess energy you send back through the grid. Customers who install solar and meet deadlines will be grandfathered into full net metering under their current agreement. They will see no changes after January 1, 2025. To receive full net metering benefits, your solar array must be built and all documentation submitted by December 31, 2024. The benefit of current net metering policy: Receiving full value for supply and delivery for energy sent to the grid. To see the charges for both supply and delivery and how they differ, examine this sample ComEd utility bill.

Solar Benefits In Illinois

• You might be able to offset 60-90% of the total cost. That includes a 30% federal tax credit, SRECS (Solar Renewable Energy Credits), equipment depreciation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)*. (04/01/2026 Update – The Rural Energy for America Program will not be making further grant awards for the fiscal year. Visit the program website for full details.) 
• A solar array in Illinois will not increase your property tax liability.
• 25-year warranty; 40+ year life expectancy on solar modules.

Learn More About Net Metering & How to Start Your Solar Journey

Check out our solar analysis page to start your Free Solar Analysis estimate. Read more about net metering on our blog on the topic. To read more about the changes to the law, visit the Citizens Utility Board page.

*Consult with your tax professional to learn more about how you can take advantage of tax credits and incentives. Only agricultural and commercial projects are eligible for REAP and subject to USDA application and approval.