Large Distributed Generation Large DG): A distributed generation system larger than 10 kW, up to 2 MW. Still, we think this is an outstanding solar perk and well worth the time it takes to apply. Types of Approved Vendors Distributed Generation Installer ("DG Installer"): A DG Installer also has received certification from the Illinois Commerce Commission ("ICC") to perform distributed generation installations. This technically wont cost you anything since you can take the taxes out of the lump sum payment you get. REC prices can be found on page 180 of theFinal 2022 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan released in August 2022. www.carbonsolutionsgroup.comToll free: (866) 499-1456Email: contact@carbonsolutionsgroup.com, SPECIALTYEnvironmental asset valuation, Read ourprivacy policy. The program could get less beneficial in the future as it is in some other states, but right now, this is our pick for the second most crucial benefit program to take advantage of in Illinois. If you live in Illinois and are considering investing in a solar energy system for your home, heres some great news for you: your state offers myriad solar incentives to help you out. The questions below will affect whether you save money. Net metering ensures that you benefit from the full value of your solar panels and is a great way to balance out your electricity production and consumption, which do not always happen at the same time. Solar House The State operates on a fiscal year basis ending on June 30 th of each year. The best states for a home solar energy system arent always the sunniest; those who benefit the most from installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system for their home spend a lot of money on electricity and live in a state with good solar programs and incentives. are not able to meet that guideline. Please enable scripts and reload this page. New pricing is set to be announced in August, 2022, but prices have typically ranged from around $37 to $76 per SREC. RECs are certificates that are created when a renewable energy generating facility produces energy. Wall-Mounted Solar Awnings & Solar Patios, Interconnection & Netmetering Considerations, Small Distributed Generation (DG) from 0 to 25 kW (AC), Large Distributed Generation (DG) from >25 kW up to 2,000 kW (AC). The initial prices for most of northern Illinois are: Small systems: $72.97 per SREC (applies to systems smaller than 10 kilowatts AC) Large systems: $73.23 per SREC (applies to systems between 10 and 25 kilowatts AC) These prices will decline in "blocks" over time as more-and-more homeowners go solar. Illinois has a very favorable net metering program that helps bring down effective energy costs. advisory with regard tocarbon emissions and renewable fuels, TRANSACTION MANAGEMENTOnline - after site upgrade is complete(expected by mid May), CLIENTSResidential and Commercial Installers Residential and Commercial System Owners MunicipalitiesUtilities in a variety of settingsand market conditions around the globe, PAYMENT OPTIONSUpfront and fixed payment options with market based pricing for existing systems, www.srectrade.comToll free: (877) 466-4606Direct: (415) 763-7732Email:clientservices@srectrade.com, SPECIALTY100% SREC transaction focus500+ MW across 35,000+ assets under management, TRANSACTION MANAGEMENTOnline bid submission and system registration for installers and system owners. However, if your system is larger than that, you receive the payments over the course of five years. Then for systems under 10kW you receive a lump sum payment after your solar array has been installed in one lump sum. Block eligibility depends on a few factors: There are currently two groups associated with the ABP program Group A and Group B. Small projects can work with 3rd party aggregators if they With one credit earned each month, thats an average of $840 per year your system will earn you. Illinois Power Agency Energy Workforce Equity Portal The portal is an online source designed to help connect clean energy companies with Equity Eligible Persons looking to work in the clean energy sector in Illinois. Over the 15 years the program lasts, youre expected to earn around $12,600 for your solar production. If you answer yes, the software will automatically direct you to fill in the required information. While its an excellent opportunity for some Illinoisans to support the clean energy movement without laying out a ton of money, its not the most beneficial way to get solar. (Same as Project). It does not appear on display pages. See how much you can save with this solar incentive on the. A lover of music and the outdoors, Karsten might be found rock climbing, canoeing or writing songs when away from the workplace. 1.877.697.9269. If youre ready to take advantage of this highly beneficial Illinois solar incentive, give us a call or contact us today. Dont forget about federal solar incentives! In the past, the Illinois Power Authority (IPA) bought SRECs in procurement rounds. Homeowners would typically sell their SRECs through an aggregator who acts as a broker between property owners and the state. With the investment tax credit (ITC), now referred to as the Residential Clean Energy Credit for residential systems, you can reduce the cost of your PV solar energy system by 30 percent. Youll see far less personal benefit than if you purchased or financed panels. The Illinois Shines or ABP Program uses a block structure to determine the value of an SREC. Illinois SRECs are sold at a fixed price which is determined by contracts, rather than the variable market prices of the old SREC program. Large systems over 25.0 kW to 5,000 kW are paid out annually over 7 years. Learn more about the Illinois Solar Renewable Energy Credits Program. tradingand energy forecasting, development ofcarbon and renewable Residential: RECs are a state incentive, whose value is equal to the solar energy you produce over 15 years times the price set by the Illinois Power Agency for RECs. A renewable energy certificate (REC) is a market-based instrument that represents the property rights to the environmental, social, and other non-power attributes of renewable electricity generation. In most cases, the old SREC incentive exhausted blocks 1, 2, 3 and 4. Factor in a solid SREC market and the federal tax credit and some homeowners can quickly recoup nearly 50% of the cost of a home solar energy system. RECs . Commercial: RECs are a state incentive, whose value is equal to the solar energy you produce over 15 years times the price set by the Illinois Power Agency for RECs. See why here. The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) welcomes your questions and hopes you will take advantage of the information offered on our website. Top brands in 2023, REC pricing for the 2022-2023 program year. Renewable Energy Credit (REC) is a tradable, environmental asset that The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) requires that procurement bids meet a minimum of 1MW of installed Now when a blocks capacity is filled, applications are placed on a waitlist until the next program year (if filled mid-year). With EnergySage, you can compare your solar options when you receive quotes from the best local solar installers near you. updated article on the cost of solar panels, solar renewable energy certificate (SREC), rebates for commercial and industrial (C&I) customers, The Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems, See the complete list of top solar installers in Illinois. When you compare quotes for solar panels on EnergySage's competitive solar marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than working with a single solar company. Net energy metering is the second-best perk available to Illinois homeowners, in our opinion. This means you can sign up to demand management programs with utilities to help manage energy transfer to and from the grid. listed below: Carbon Solutions Group or SRECTrade. It provides an average potential value of $6,143 for Illinois residents, and it takes just a few minutes to file for. Dont be. What Do Illinoisans Need to Know About the Federal Solar Tax Credit? For your system, the value is 7.1 cents/kWh produced, which is paid in year one. Please be aware that state ethics rules may require that some communications be reported to the Procurement Policy Board. One of the best ways to understand costs and incentives is to use a tool to help you calculate your solar potential. And, if you send more energy to the grid than we deliver, you can receive credits on your bill. The SREC is sold separately from the electricity and represents the "solar" aspect of the electricity that was produced. Site maintained byEnergy SolutionsAll Rights Reserved. sales @ mysolidbox.com Learn More about the IPA's implementation activities under CEJA. This incentive can net you several hundred dollars each year, seriously reducing your solar payback period. All rights reserved. Learn actionable tips for making each room in your home greener. This Act included significant changes to the Adjustable Block/Illinois Shines program. Distributed Generation Installer (DG Installer): A DG Installer is an entity that has received certification from the Illinois Commerce Commission to perform distributed generation installations. How does the Illinois SREC program work? The best of EcoWatch right in your inbox. Like homeowners, small businesses and nonprofits can apply to the Illinois Shines program through an approved vendor. For small residential & commercial systems under 25 kW (AC) the SREC payment will occur in one payment. In Illinois, net metering customers may be eligible for a Smart Inverter Rebate if they install and use an approved Smart Inverter as part of their solar energy system. Solar Professional Resources You can also check the current block status here. Instead, approved vendors facilitate the application process and transaction. Illinois, Missouri - (618)-444-2693 Utah, Idaho - (801)-444-5130 In the sections below, well provide responses to some of the most common questions we get asked about solar perks and benefit programs in Illinois. It guarantees that you are credited for all excess power your system produces that isnt used in your home and is instead sent to the grid. through their installer or contact the two preferred national companies Policy Webinars, Solar Tour All you need is your solar system's yearly kilowatt hour (kWh) usage and let Acorn's SREC Calculator do the rest. Even if you arent quite ready to make your solar purchase, these Illinois solar rebates and incentives are sure to make the case for why solar is a smart decision in the Land of Lincoln. Community Solar are typically large systems from a minimum size of 500 kW up to 2 MW (AC) that feed into the grid and generating power for subscribers. SREC Broker/Aggregator: An SREC Broker/Aggregator works with installers, companies, and individuals to submit projects for approval the Illinois Shines program. No, there are currently no plans for incentives to become less beneficial in Illinois in the next two years. RECs may be sold to the utility for meeting the State's Renewable Portfolio Standards. Illinois SREC incentives are managed under the Adjustable Block Program. In fact, Illinois has better incentives than most other states. Well discuss the steps you need to take below to ensure you get full credit for your SRECs. Illinois has an SREC program called the Adjustable Block Program, or Illinois Shines. Participants in the Solar for All program can expect no upfront costs to install solar, no ongoing costs (i.e., free maintenance), and fees that wont exceed 50% of the value of energy generated by the system. Under Illinois law, one SREC is credited for each 1,000 kilowatt hours (or one megawatt) or power created and fed back into the grid. Lets assume this is your solar panel system and it generates six SRECs a year. Enrolling in this program is far more complicated than the other incentives discussed above. We should note that the federal solar tax credit rate is scheduled to drop over the next ten years, according to the schedule below: Following 2034, the program will no longer be available. Find out how much you can receive when you register through the Illinois Shines Program with Acorn! Municipal & County Resources energy projects,emissions mitigation and management,GHG Emissions If your project is on the waitlist first seeking confirmation of funding, now is the time to move forward. I want solar! In some cases, ComEd customers actually purchase energy from another supplier. An SREC is a REC that specifically comes from a solar system. ICC: Illinois Commerce Commission (see 220 ILCS 5); the State Agency charged with regulating public utilities in Illinois, as well as approving aspects of the Adjustable Block Program. For a personalized assessment of the credits and rebates you may qualify for, launch our solar panel. In 2017, the Illinois government created new legislation that altered the existing Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) program structure in the state. Net metering measures the electricity your PV system produces and credits you for it on your electric bill. As per the current law, credits carry over month to month until the end of the billing year, whereupon they expire. The current block rate for systems under 25kW is $75.29, but it won't be for long! RECs may be sold to the utility for meeting the State's Renewable Portfolio Standards. (Same as System), Renewable Energy Credit (REC) or Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC): The environmental attributes represented by 1 MWh of electricity generated by a renewable generator. On September 15, 2021 Governor Pritzker signed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (Public Act 102-0662) (CEJA). Above, weve discussed all of the incentives available to Illinois property owners. Currently, the full retail rate for net energy metering in Illinois means the program will help reduce your panel payback period, maximize your long-term savings and help reduce your monthly electricity bills for the entire time your system produces electricity. Speaking of Solar Blog, Homeowner Resources Well list these incentives below and provide a brief explanation as to how they work. in the Illinois Shines program. Community Solar Resources Illinois separates SREC price amounts into blocks, as each block fills up the price of the SRECs goes down in the next block. Dont delay, enjoy the benefits of generating electricity from the sun! Click below and use our process to receive multiple quotes instead: Connect with approved solar installers in your area. solar calculator. ATTENTION! Individual Memberships On September 15, 2021, Governor Pritzker signed the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act, which includes new funding for the Illinois Shines SREC program, a massive incentive for solar buyers in Illinois. Carbon Solutions Group (CSG) is serving as a Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) Aggregator for the Illinois Adjustable Block Program. In Illinois, the credit averages out to $6,143. Part I: The initial application into the program which contains detailed information on the system and its location. Illinois Shines: Illinois is one of few states with a Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program to support the development of solar projects in the state. solar calculator helps you assess your rooftop solar potential by combining your historical usage data with solar data in your area to provide a personalized evaluation for your property, including any rebates and credits. The Agency reserves the right to add additional categories of market activities as needed. Programand via direct deposit (ACH) to a bankaccount of their choice. The price drop between blocks is 4%. The state set a specific amount of installed solar (in megawatts, MW) and an associated SREC price for each block. However, we dont expect this to appear in the near future. Solar RECs (SRECs) are created for each megawatt-hour of electricity generated from solar energy systems. Since this exemption requires no action on your part and will save you a few thousand dollars over the life of your system, we think this is an outstanding solar benefit program. The highly popular and successful solar renewable energy credit incentive, or SREC program, will continue after a recent hiatus. Please note this is an incentive which is subject to tax. For the average residential system, this comes out to more than $10,000 in additional savings. Distributed Generation (DG): A system which is located on-site, behind a customers meter, and used primarily to offset a single customers load; it cannot exceed 2,000 kW AC in size. Ethics Reporting Associated with Communications with the IPA. Ultimately, these Illinois solar incentives help stimulate development of new renewable energy resources. You are not guaranteed to save money unless your contract includes an explicit guarantee. Project: A solar photovoltaic array and all associated equipment necessary for its generation of electricity and connection to the distribution grid. Like other solar tax credits, with the ITC you can deduct 26% of the cost of your solar energy system from your federal taxes. In addition to the federal and statewide solar perks mentioned above, there are two other local incentives that might be available to you, depending on where you live. Donate Phase I of the portal was launched on January 31, 2023. Well also include the average savings afforded by each perk to help you prioritize which to take. Let us help you partner with the state of Illinois to make it a better environment for all, and a better vehicle for the money you'd be spending on electricity bills. What are the most efficient solar panels? The Illinois Shines program is the states equivalent of the Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) programs and adjustable block programs in other states. Spots Are Already Being Taken By Illinois Homeowners. Want to find the best deal on solar in all of Illinois? Events Considering solar can add around 4% to the average home, this could save you a lot in property taxes. This is a perk that helps keep down the upfront cost of solar systems to make them a bit more accessible, so it would be a great addition to Illinoiss collection of benefit programs. The Plan describes the implementation of: The Adjustable Block Program (for photovoltaic distributed generation and community solar), also known as Illinois Shines, TheIllinois Solar for AllProgram(low-income residential distributed generation and community solar), Competitive procurements (for Renewable Energy Credits from new utility-scale wind, utility-scale photovoltaic, and brownfield photovoltaic projects), Large Customer Self-direct Program (for large electric customers to retire Renewable Energy Credits from new utility-scale wind and solar facilities and receive a bill credit reducing Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)-related bill charges). The best way to compare your solar options and save money at the same time is by registering on the EnergySage Marketplace. capacity. Residential Solar Incentives (Large/5+ unit buildings) ($/REC) Through the program, you earn one credit for every 1,000 kWh (1 megawatt-hour) your system generates, which most IL property owners generate in a single month. At first, the credit amount was set to decrease based on the below schedule: In August of 2022, the federal government re-upped the credit amount and pushed back the expiration date of the program. This includes installers, marketing firms, lead generators, and sales organizations. Karsten is an editor and energy specialist focused on environmental, social and cultural development. Between the 30% federal tax credit and the SREC incentive, up to 50 to 60% of your solar system or more could be paid for from these two incentives alone. Browse approved vendors here. The good news is that Illinois is home to quite a few incentive programs that make PV equipment more affordable and maximize your long-term solar savings. Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) offers one of the best net metering programs in Illinois. The state of Illinois has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that commits the state to produce 25 percent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2025. Also known as a photovoltaic community renewable generation project.. Illinois Power Agency2022. If you only have time to file for one credit, we strongly suggest making it this one. It allows residents with household incomes below 80% of the median to get PV panels installed for no upfront costs. Illinois may not have the year-round sunshine of the Southwest, but it does have a great solar power market because of the available financial incentives. You wouldnt buy a car without comparing a few options first. 1,000 kWh of solar electricity = 1 MWh of solar electricity = 1 SREC. The portal is an online source designed to help connect clean energy companies withEquity Eligible Personslooking to work in the clean energy sector in Illinois. That would mean less credit for each kWh you pass to the grid, which translates to fewer long-term savings. Under the Adjustable Block Program, this system falls into the Small DG category. Find the best price from solar installers in Illinois. Its our hope that when the goal is met in 2025, the state sets a new one and maintains the current incentives to help reach it. Learn more about the technology of photovoltaics from the US Department of Energy here: Consulting with an Approved Vendor is the best way to figure out if your home (either your roof or your property for ground mounted systems) would be a good fit for a solar system. Solar Rebates & Tax Incentives: What You Need to Know, State property tax exemptions in Illinois, Final thoughts on state solar incentives in Illinois, Illinois Shines helps residential solar producers sell their SRECs to earn additional income, The Illinois Solar for All program helps low-income households sign up for solar with no upfront cost, Value added by home solar is exempt from property tax assessments, Illinois mandates retail rate net metering but credits expire annually. Enter your zip code to see solar quotes near you. On May 16, 2022, the IPA announced that it will start accepting new applications to sell SRECs on September 1st, having closed the program in July 2022. Block groups are determined by utility companies and load zones. Net energy metering makes it far more likely for residents to offset their utility bills entirely, helping to maximize their energy savings and reduce the amount of time it takes to pay off their equipment. Policy Blog It credits all solar customers for solar production, and those energy credits can then be sold for a profit. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. The tax exemption for solar equipment in IL prevents your taxes from going up as a result of installing solar equipment. Illinois Solar Renewable Energy Credits help the state meet Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), which is a regulatory mandate that sets goals for generating a percentage of Illinois overall electricity from renewable energy. Call us at (773) 812-3447 for more information on SRECs. As of right now, there are no near-term changes to incentives in Illinois planned, which is good news for solar customers. The same rules apply re credits for kWh produced, and customers maintain the rights to renewable energy certificates and other incentives associated with solar. In its place, Illinois state has set a threshold date of December 31st, 2024, or when new utility tariffs are set and approved (whichever is later). Distributed Generation Project Developer (DG Project Developer): A DG, Project Developer may oversee client relationships, design of the solar project, and site management. Given the tax rate in IL of 2.16% and the typical system value of $20,475, this exemption should save you approximately $8,845 in taxes over the life of your equipment.2. That means your taxes wont increase just because you convert to solar energy. Yes, SRECs are considered taxable income, so you will need to pay taxes on these. Once you move forward with a solar company, theyll work with you and the state to ensure that your system is eligible for SRECs once its operational. It takes just a few minutes to apply for when youre filing your taxes, and it provides an average value of over $6,000 in the Prairie State, provided you have a tax liability that allows you to take the full credit. Additionally, SRECs help bring a cleaner and diversified electrical power system to the state of Illinois. Utilities are only required to issue SREC payments quarterly, so the time it takes to receive your check varies. In 2023, the ITC will drop to 22%. Its possible that, as the Prairie State approaches or surpasses its RPS goal, the net energy metering credit rate will drop or go away entirely. Part II: The second part of the application completed after energization, demonstrating completion of the project in accordance with the Part I parameters approved. All credits are automatic, provided you have the right electric meter, and a new one will be provided for free even if you dont have a bidirectional meter. The Illinois Shines program is the state's equivalent of the Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) programs and adjustable block programs in other states. The block groups are divided into four main categories: Small Distributed Generation (DG), Large DG, Traditional Community Solar, Community-Driven Community Solar, and Public Schools. This could be your installer, a project developer, a broker, or an aggregator. Combined with our proprietary energy savings program we provide Illinois businesses . Solar panels harness the energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. This program is undergoing some changes in the summer of 2022, but the basic premise remains the same: home solar producers can earn 1 SREC for every MWh of electricity produced by their systems and can sell these to earn additional income. This program is set to open up January, 30th 2019. As such, taking advantage of this is a no-brainer. As of the time of writing, each SREC in IL is worth approximately $72. Assuming you have an average system installed and typical energy bills for the area around $93.98 and your panels generate enough to offset 50% of your bill, this program could save you an average of $11,277 over the first 20 years of the panels lifespan. Well break down the initial steps below. The program lasts for 15 years after you install your photovoltaic (PV) equipment. What new incentives are there in Illinois following the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act? Visit energyequity.illinois.gov to learn more. Your payback time is greatly reduced. Visit energyequity.illinois.gov to learn more. These serve to help the state reach its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goal of producing 25% of its energy via clean sources by 2026.1. Still, you should plan to include the SREC value in your income and to pay taxes on them. Give us a call at 309-316-3540 for more information and a free consultation on residential, commercial, or agricultural solar. But, most people wont qualify unless they already have solar installation experience. Net Metering: A provision in an electric utilitys tariff that allows for crediting a customers bill for all or some of the production of a distributed generation or community solar facility which has been exported to the distribution grid. New customers should review the ABP Program Brochure for general program information. That means that every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you generate and send to the grid will offset one kWh you pull from the grid when your panels fail to produce enough energy for your home like at night or on cloudy days. Additionally, the Illinois Shines Program has been a bit rocky in the past. Thanks to Illinois net metering policy, your utility will buy back any excess electricity your solar system produces. These customers will need to figure out net metering credits with that supplier. You may host a new solar photovoltaic system on your rooftop or on your property, directly offsetting your energy usage; or. Mid-American also offers net metering and allows for a shorter than 12 months initial billing period. Illinois also offers a special exemption for residents of counties with fewer than three million inhabitants. This program is undergoing some changes in the summer of 2022, but the basic premise remains the same: home solar producers can earn 1 SREC for every MWh of electricity produced by their systems and can sell these to earn additional income. This is where SRECs come in a utility can claim the electricity produced from your home solar system to help meet RPS requirements through the purchase of SRECs. The program is made possible via the REC market in Illinois.