2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Hoffman Estates, IL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Hoffman Estates.
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 Hoffman Estates?
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 mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. This category of financial incentives is intended to encourage more homeowners to switch to renewable energy. Incentives may include things like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, while others are offered by the state of Illinois or your utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): In general, solar systems that produce more than a specified (usually small) amount of electricity will qualify for SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and performance-based incentives in general are typically provided by your state government. You can sell SRECs to your utility company or another buyer, and this is usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions can come in one of two forms. The first is sales tax exemption, which is applied when you purchase solar panels. The second is property tax exemption. This allows you to exclude the added value of your solar system when calculating property tax for your house.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much in taxes you owe the federal government.
- Net Metering: Be sure to talk to your Hoffman Estates utility company about signing a net metering contract. This allows you to get a credit towards your monthly utility bill for the value of excess energy generated by your solar panels. You could receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Solar rebates might be offered by your county or state, or by your local utility company. These rebates work as partial refunds that are applied after you purchase a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, federal incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind. It's likely that you've heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This incentive is a tax credit equal to a predetermined percentage of the money you spend installing solar panels.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006, and allows you to deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, equipment, labor and accessories. This credit can apply towards a solar panel system installed on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The original claim amount was 30% of the total cost, although depending on when the project was completed, your credit may range from 26-30%. There is no maximum claim amount.
To more fully understand how the ITC might apply to your situation, speak to your local Hoffman Estates solar panel installation expert and request more information.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act made revisions to the ITC, now called the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit bolsters the current credit, increasing it up to 30% for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. After 2032, the credit percentage will decrease slightly each year until the program expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Hoffman Estates solar panel installer can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided at the state and local level. Like with federal incentives, these might include rebates, tax credits and more. Some incentives are ongoing, while others may only be available for a limited time. These incentives might be given by the Illinois government, or by your county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Hoffman Estates
The variety of solar incentives available has contributed greatly to the increase in the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the last 15 years. You can get solar incentives from the federal government, the Illinois government or from your local utility company. We recommend talking to your local Hoffman Estates solar installer for more information about these incentives and to make sure that you're getting all the money you can for your solar panels.
EcoWatch's Hoffman Estates, IL Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I learn if I qualify for different solar incentives?
Typically, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar panel system
- installed on property that you own
- within the U.S.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including ones handled by the Illinois government or by your county/municipality, might have additional qualifications. Speak with your local Hoffman Estates solar installer to discover what incentives your project may qualify for.
How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I add solar panels to my house in Hoffman Estates?
On average, Hoffman Estates homeowners who install solar panels save approximately $700.12 per year, or about $13,302.19 over 20 years after making the switch.
What are the best solar panel installation companies near me?
To find the top solar panel installation companies near you, take a look at our article on the best solar companies in Hoffman Estates.
If I trade in my appliances for ones that can use solar energy, are there any credits that I can claim?
The new Inflation Reduction Act creates several new financial incentives for making eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details on these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
Can I claim incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order in which incentives are applied could vary depending on which incentives you are claiming but typically yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Speak to your solar installer or a local tax professional to verify you are claiming all possible incentives and applying them in the correct order.
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.