ComEd Illinois Solar: Medición neta, reembolsos y facturación
How Residential Solar Works with ComEd
When you install solar panels on your home in ComEd territory, your system generates electricity during daylight hours. This solar energy first powers your home, reducing the amount of electricity you need to purchase from ComEd.
Any excess solar energy your system produces is sent back to the grid. Understanding how ComEd credits this excess energy is essential for Illinois homeowners considering solar.
ComEd Net Metering: What Changed in 2025
Important Update for New Solar Customers
As of 2025, new ComEd solar customers no longer receive full-retail net metering. Instead, you receive supply-only net metering credits for excess solar energy sent to the grid.
Understanding Supply vs. Delivery Charges
Your ComEd bill has two main components:
- Supply charges: The cost of the electricity itself
- Delivery charges: The cost to transmit and distribute that electricity to your home
With supply-only net metering, excess solar energy you send to the grid earns credits only for the supply portion of your bill. You still pay delivery charges for any electricity you draw from the grid.
This means your solar savings may be lower than under the previous full-retail net metering structure, but solar can still significantly reduce your electric bills.
ComEd Solar Rebates and Incentives
ComEd offers rebates for qualifying residential solar and battery storage systems. These incentives can help offset your upfront installation costs.
Solar Generation Rebate
Available for qualifying residential solar systems. The rebate amount is based on your system's capacity in kilowatts (kW).
Eligibility requirements apply. Rebate availability and amounts may change.
Battery Storage Rebate
Available for qualifying residential battery storage systems. The rebate amount is based on your battery's capacity in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Hourly pricing enrollment required. Eligibility requirements apply.
Battery Rebate Hourly Pricing Requirement
To qualify for the ComEd battery storage rebate, you must enroll in hourly pricing. This means your electricity rate varies by the hour based on wholesale market prices.
Hourly pricing can offer savings opportunities, especially when paired with a battery that can store solar energy and discharge it during higher-price periods. However, it also introduces variability in your electric costs.
Illinois Shines Solar Incentive Program
In addition to ComEd rebates, Illinois homeowners can benefit from Illinois Shines, the state's solar incentive program. Illinois Shines provides upfront payments or ongoing credits for the renewable energy your system produces.
The program is designed to make solar more affordable and accessible. Incentive levels vary based on system size, location, and other factors.
Working with an approved Illinois Shines installer ensures you can take full advantage of available state incentives.
How Solar Affects Your ComEd Bill
After installing solar, your ComEd bill will reflect the energy your system produces and any electricity you draw from or send to the grid.
During sunny months, your solar system may generate more electricity than you use, resulting in credits on your bill. During winter or cloudy periods, you may draw more from the grid and see higher charges.
Over the course of a year, a properly sized solar system can significantly reduce your total electricity costs, though you will likely still receive a monthly bill for delivery charges and any grid electricity you use.
System Sizing and Your Electricity Usage
Sizing your solar system correctly is essential to maximizing your savings and return on investment. A system that is too small may not offset enough of your electricity usage, while an oversized system may not provide additional financial benefit under supply-only net metering.
Your solar installer will review your historical electricity usage, roof characteristics, and energy goals to recommend an appropriately sized system.
Most residential solar systems in Illinois range from 5 kW to 12 kW, depending on household energy consumption.
Solar Batteries and Power Outages
A common question is whether solar panels provide power during a ComEd outage. Standard grid-tied solar systems without battery storage automatically shut down during outages for safety reasons.
If backup power is important to you, adding a battery storage system allows you to store solar energy and use it during outages. Batteries also enable you to use stored solar energy during evening hours or high-rate periods if you are on hourly pricing.
Battery storage adds to your upfront costs, but the ComEd battery rebate and potential energy savings can improve the economics.
Solar Interconnection with ComEd
Before your solar system can operate, it must be interconnected with the ComEd grid. This process involves submitting an application to ComEd, obtaining approval, and having your system inspected.
Your solar installer typically handles the interconnection process on your behalf. The timeline can vary, but most interconnections are completed within a few weeks to a couple of months after installation.
Once interconnected and approved, your system can begin generating electricity and earning net metering credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but the structure changed in 2025. New solar customers receive supply-only net metering, meaning you earn credits for the supply portion of your bill, not the full retail rate. You still pay delivery charges for electricity drawn from the grid.
Savings vary based on your electricity usage, system size, available incentives, and electricity rates. While we cannot guarantee specific savings, many homeowners see significant reductions in their annual electricity costs. A detailed proposal from your installer will provide a personalized savings estimate.
Eligibility depends on several factors, including your location, system specifications, and program availability. Your solar installer can help determine if you qualify and assist with the rebate application process.
No, hourly pricing is not required for solar. However, it is required if you want to qualify for the ComEd battery storage rebate. Hourly pricing can offer savings opportunities but also introduces rate variability.
Not without battery storage. Standard grid-tied solar systems shut down during outages for safety. Adding a battery allows you to store solar energy and use it during outages, providing backup power for essential loads.
Interconnection timelines vary, but most applications are processed within a few weeks to a couple of months. Your installer will manage the process and keep you informed of progress.
Yes, in many cases you can benefit from both ComEd rebates and Illinois Shines incentives. Your installer will help you understand which programs you qualify for and how to maximize your total incentives.
Excess solar energy is sent to the grid, and you receive supply credits on your ComEd bill. These credits can offset future electricity usage. However, under supply-only net metering, credits do not cover delivery charges.
Related Resources
¿Listo para Explorar la Energía Solar para tu Hogar?
Obtenga una evaluación solar personalizada y descubra cuánto podría ahorrar con la energía solar.
Revisar mi casa