2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Chicago Ridge, IL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Chicago Ridge.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Chicago Ridge?
Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems
ComEd - Energy Efficiency Program for Residential
Air Purifier: $50
Clothes Washer: $50
Dehumidifier: $50
Electric Clothes Dryer: $50
Freezer: $50
Refrigerator: $50
Room Air Conditioner: $25
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: Free pickup and $50, plus an additional $10 if recycling a room A/C at the same time
Heating & Cooling
Air Source Heat Pump: $400 - $600
Central A/C: $300 - $600
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $400
Geothermal Heat Pump: Up to $6,000/home
Furnace Blower Motor (ECM): $50 - $100
Miscellaneous
Advanced Power Strip: $10
Air Sealing: Up to $400/home
Attic Insulation: Up to $300/home
Duct Sealing: Up to $500/home
Lighting: In-store discounts, varies
Pool Pump: $275
Smart Thermostat: $100
Wall Insulation: Up to $400/home
Solar Renewable Energy Credits
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to switch to renewable energy by providing incentives that lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. You might qualify for various types of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of Illinois and others from the federal government. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar performance-based incentives might be available to you if the solar system on your home produces over a specified (usually small) amount of electricity. Performance-based incentives are normally handled by the state government. You can sell any SRECs you have to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you make is generally considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits decrease, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the government. These are different from tax deductions.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar system could qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions come into effect at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the added value of the solar panels when calculating property taxes on your house.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement in place with your Chicago Ridge utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you may receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Solar companies may help you claim a rebate, or partial refund after purchase, for your solar panels. Counties or states will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. The value of a rebate will usually be deducted from the total price before any tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When you hear the term "solar incentives," federal incentives might be the first thing that comes to mind. You may have heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a certain percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.
The ITC applies to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. The credit initially covered 30% of the total cost – for panels, equipment, accessories and labor – although it may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar project was undertaken. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
Curious how the ITC might apply to your specific situation? Reach out to your local Chicago Ridge solar panel installation expert to get more information.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act expanded and extended the ITC, now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit. With the new provisions, solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed by the end of 2032, can qualify for a 30% tax credit. This percentage will then see a slight annual decrease until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion will also make credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Chicago Ridge solar panel installation experts can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are not your only option; rebates, tax credits and more may be offered at the local or state level. These incentives — which may be handled by your county or municipality, or by the state of Illinois — could be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Chicago Ridge
There are many types of solar incentives: those given by the federal government, those given by the Illinois government and those given by local utility companies, to name a few. Solar energy use has grown enormously in the last 15 years, thanks to these incentives. We recommend talking to your local Chicago Ridge solar installation expert to learn more about these incentives and to ensure that you're getting all the money you can for your solar system.
EcoWatch's Chicago Ridge, IL Solar Incentives FAQs
If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
You should plan to talk to someone from the company that installed your system – or speak to a local Chicago Ridge solar installer — to better understand which incentives you might qualify for. If your system was installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar panels installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I install solar panels on my Chicago Ridge home?
After adding solar panels to your home in Chicago Ridge, you can expect to save around $707.72 per year, or approximately $13,446.62 over 20 years.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To discover the top solar panel installers near you, take a look at our article on Chicago Ridge's best solar panel companies.
What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my home?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by switching where you get your energy, you can help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also reduce your home's CO2 emissions by 450 pounds a year, or roughly 9,000 pounds over 20 years.
If I switch my appliances out for ones that can use solar energy, are there credits I can claim?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions for several incentives meant to reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include rebates and tax credits for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.