2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Palos, IL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Palos.
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 Palos?
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 meant to help mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. These financial incentives are in place to encourage more homeowners to switch their home over to renewable energy. Incentives may include things like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are offered federally, while others are handled by the state of Illinois or your specific utility company, county or municipality. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government. (This is different from a tax deduction.)
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are typically applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. These rebates may be provided by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
- Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering contract with your Palos utility company. This agreement may apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity your solar panels generate. Your utility company will then deduct this value from your utility bill each month.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels could qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions come into effect at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the value that solar panels add when calculating property taxes on your house.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar performance-based incentives are typically handled by your state government. Once your solar panel system meets a certain threshold (typically a small amount of energy production), you are eligible to receive SRECs that you can then sell to your utility company or other buyers. The money you receive from the sale is generally considered part of your taxable income.
Federal Solar Incentives
When people think of solar incentives, federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. The solar incentive that you're most likely to have heard of is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a predetermined percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar system must have been installed after January 1, 2006, on a property you own for you to claim the credit. The ITC originally paid out 30% of all system installation costs (panels, equipment, accessories and labor), although this amount has fluctuated over the years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you are eligible for. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
Reaching out to your local Palos solar panel installer is the best way to understand how the ITC applies to you.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act laid out new provisions for the ITC, now dubbed the Clean Energy Credit. For solar system installations that begin after January 1, 2022, and are completed by the end of 2032, homeowners can apply for a credit for 30% of the total cost. This percentage will decrease annually after 2032 until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Palos solar panel installer can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit may apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
There are more than just federal solar incentives; rebates, tax credits and more may be offered at the local or state level. These incentives might be provided by the Illinois government, or by your county or municipality. Some incentives may be ongoing, while others are available for a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Palos
Solar incentives may be provided by your local utility company, the Illinois government or the federal government. The large number of available incentives has helped nationwide use of solar energy increase greatly in the last 15 years. Reaching out to your local Palos solar panel installation expert is a great first step towards making sure you get all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.
EcoWatch's Palos, IL Solar Incentives FAQs
How much will a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in Palos?
After adding solar panels to your house in Palos, you can anticipate savings of around $707.72 per year, or approximately $13,446.62 over 20 years.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my house?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by changing where you get your energy, you can help lessen the strain on our planet's resources. A solar system can also reduce the CO2 emissions from your home by 450 pounds annually, or around 9,000 pounds over 20 years.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (previously called the federal solar tax credit, or ITC), currently ends on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.
I want to switch my appliances out for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any benefits I can claim?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions for several incentives designed to reward homeowners for making eco-friendly upgrades. Some incentives include rebates and tax credits for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
What if I am planning to add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Do I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what solar incentives apply to you, many will apply to a second home, so long as that home is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the details.
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