Aurora, IL Solar Panels
Solar Power in Aurora
Solar installation in Aurora starts with understanding how your roof, shade, and local weather can affect system production. Illinois electricity prices rose 22% from 2020 to 2024, making it useful to compare a solar system’s potential with your household’s electricity use.
Learn what to expect from solar panels, system design, and installation in Aurora, and explore our guide to home solar panels for a clear foundation.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Aurora, IL?
Explore estimated solar installation costs in Aurora using real project data from Palmetto installations in the area. Our calculator draws on local experience, including nearby Naperville, North Aurora, Montgomery, and Oswego, to help you understand what a home solar system may cost.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Solar output depends on your home—roof direction, shade, electricity use, and Aurora’s changing seasons all affect how much your panels produce.
- Aurora’s calculator estimates about $61,000 in 25-year savings for a medium home; actual costs and savings depend on your situation.
- Illinois offers several solar incentive programs, but eligibility, savings, and contract terms vary, so check the details before making plans.
Aurora Electricity Prices
For Aurora households, understanding electricity prices can help put the potential value of rooftop solar in context.
Illinois’ average residential electricity price rose from 13.2 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2021 to 15.9 cents in 2024—about 20%, based on the figures shown. The national average reached 16.5 cents in 2024.
Solar panels generate electricity at home, which can reduce how much power an Aurora household buys from the grid. The impact depends on system output, household use, utility billing rules, and remaining connection charges.
Over time, using solar-generated power may help limit exposure to changing utility rates while the system continues producing electricity. Actual savings vary, so comparing expected production with bills and installation costs is key.
Price of Energy: Illinois vs National Average
Aurora Area Utility Providers
In Aurora, ComEd is the listed electric utility. The latest figures available here are from 2023: ComEd’s electricity rate was 14.8¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
That rate was 0.9¢ below Illinois’ 2023 average of 15.7¢/kWh and 1.2¢ below the national average of 16.0¢/kWh. These figures compare rates; they do not explain why they differ.
For Aurora households, comparing a solar system’s expected production with electricity use can help show how solar might affect reliance on ComEd’s grid electricity costs.
Aurora Utilities Electricity Rates
Illinois Solar Incentives
Solar installations in Aurora may qualify for state and local programs that help offset costs. Explore the solar incentives in Illinois below.
Programs include Illinois Shines REC-contract value; income-qualified Illinois Solar for All, with reduced or no upfront costs and bill-savings protections; ComEd and Ameren solar or battery rebates; and a property-tax valuation process. Eligibility and terms vary.
After the Big Beautiful Bill eliminated the federal 30% residential tax credit, state and local incentives remain. LightReach leasing lets Palmetto handle commercial ITC, passing savings through lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program) | Solar renewable energy credit (REC) incentive | Qualifying Illinois rooftop-solar and community-solar projects can earn REC-contract value, which may reduce a customer’s project cost or be passed through according to the customer’s contract. | Learn More |
| Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) | Income-qualified solar incentive | Eligible households and certain nonprofits and public facilities can access qualifying solar or community solar with reduced or no upfront costs and required bill-savings protections. | Learn More |
| ComEd Distributed Generation Rebate | Utility solar rebate | Eligible ComEd residential and small-load customers may receive a rebate of $300 per kW for qualifying customer-owned renewable generation equipment. | Learn More |
| ComEd Residential Battery Storage Rebate | Utility battery storage rebate | Eligible ComEd residential customers may receive $300 per kWh of qualifying battery storage capacity, subject to utility program and tariff requirements. | Learn More |
| Illinois Solar Energy System Property-Tax Valuation | Property-tax valuation provision | Eligible Illinois solar-energy-system improvements may use an alternate property-tax valuation process, which can limit how the system’s value is reflected in an assessment but is not an automatic tax exemption. | Learn More |
Illinois Shines supports qualifying on-site solar and community-solar projects by contracting for the renewable energy credits (RECs) the systems are expected to produce. For 2026–27, the published REC prices for small distributed-generation projects up to 10 kW AC are $70.37 per REC in Group A and $80.77 per REC in Group B; eligible customer-owned small systems that do not receive a federal clean-energy credit may qualify for an additional $20 per REC. A REC represents 1 MWh of generation, so the total value depends on estimated production, location, project category, and program rules—not simply system size.
The REC payment is made to the Approved Vendor, not automatically as a household rebate. The customer’s purchase, lease, or power-purchase agreement determines whether and how much value reaches the customer; review the Illinois Shines disclosure and contract before signing. Capacity and waitlist status can change, and qualifying small-system contracts approved on or after June 1, 2026 pay 50% at energization with the remainder paid over the following six years.
Illinois Solar for All uses REC contracts with approved project vendors to make solar more affordable for eligible participants. For qualifying residential rooftop projects, the program is structured to offer no upfront cost for many 1–4-unit homes, while other eligible properties may receive low- or no-upfront-cost offers; community-solar subscriptions are also available. The customer benefit is the project pricing and required savings protections, not a standard cash payment to every household.
Residential and community-solar household eligibility is generally based on gross income at or below 80% of Area Median Income, adjusted for household size and location. Program requirements, including savings, maintenance, and warranty protections, apply, and funding and application windows are limited. Confirm current eligibility and availability through the program before relying on an offer.
ComEd’s published rebate materials list a $300-per-kW rebate for qualifying residential and small-load customer-owned renewable generation. The rebate can lower the net upfront cost of an eligible solar installation, but the amount is based on qualifying system capacity and program rules; it is not a universal payment for every solar system.
Equipment, smart-inverter, interconnection, customer-class, and tariff requirements apply. If you are on legacy full-retail net metering, taking a generation rebate may affect your delivery-service credits or legacy billing status under the applicable utility rules. Confirm the current rebate terms and the effect on your specific net-metering arrangement with ComEd in writing before applying.
ComEd’s published program materials list a storage rebate of $300 per kWh for eligible residential and small-load customers. The rebate can reduce the cost of a qualifying battery, with the payment determined by eligible storage capacity and the program’s terms. ComEd’s materials specify hourly supply service (BESH) for the residential storage rebate.
Eligible equipment, smart-inverter, customer-class, and tariff requirements apply; verify whether the battery must be paired with or charged by an on-site renewable generator under the current terms. Storage receiving a rebate on or after June 1, 2026 may also be subject to scheduled-dispatch requirements, with ComEd’s filed rider indicating service may begin no later than March 1, 2027. Confirm the obligation and any compensation with ComEd before applying.
Illinois law provides an alternate valuation process for eligible solar-energy-system improvements. A property owner may file a claim with the county chief assessment officer; depending on the system, property, and applicable assessment rules, the process can affect the assessed value used to calculate property taxes and may reduce the tax impact compared with ordinary valuation.
This is not a blanket exemption from property taxes and does not guarantee a particular dollar savings. Eligibility and the valuation calculation depend on the property and system, and the owner must follow the applicable filing process. Contact the county assessor and review the Illinois Department of Revenue guidance to determine whether your installation qualifies.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Illinois incentives.
Get a Free QuoteAurora Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Aurora’s sunny summer days support strong production, while winter’s shorter days, cloud cover, and snow can reduce output. With proper design, solar can work well year-round.
Solar Production in Aurora by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Panel Systems in Aurora
We’ve organized solar installation data across the United States and are excited to share this interactive map of Aurora, IL. Explore the hexagons to see how many homes in each area have gone solar, and discover the neighborhoods and communities where your neighbors have made the switch.
How to Choose a Solar Installer in Aurora
Verify the license
Illinois does not have a general state contractor license. Instead, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) requires certification before covered distributed-generation installation work—generally, the electrical wiring and connections needed to connect a system to the utility distribution system. Planning or project management alone is not covered, so ask which company will do the electrical work and confirm its certification using the ICC’s installer lookup. Roofing work may separately require an IDFPR roofing-contractor license, depending on its scope. Ask who will do that work and whether the applicable license is required.
Look for certified installers
Ask whether the people designing and installing your system hold NABCEP credentials, and verify credentials through NABCEP. Certification can indicate relevant training and demonstrated knowledge; it is not a substitute for required state certification or a guarantee of workmanship. Ask what manufacturer certifications the installer and crew hold for the specific panels and inverters in your quote. These may show product-specific training or authorization, but compare the actual equipment, service terms, and installer responsibilities too.
Compare quotes the same way
Request written quotes with the same assumptions and compare each line item. A larger system may cost more overall, so compare both total cost and price per watt. Palmetto reports a median installed system size of 9.8 kW and about 94 days from signing to installation; treat those as Palmetto’s figures, not a promise or a market-wide benchmark.
- System and equipment: system size in kW, panel and inverter brands and models, and estimated production in kWh per year. Ask what assumptions support each estimate.
- Coverage: panel product and performance warranties, inverter warranty, workmanship coverage, and coverage for roof penetrations. Check who handles a claim.
- Scope and price: who handles permits and interconnection, total cost or monthly payment, and any payment escalator. For financing or a lease, ask what the quoted payment includes and how it may change.
Permits, interconnection and your HOA
For privately funded residential projects, the local government handles any required plan review, permits, and inspections; requirements vary by location. Ask whether you or the installer will apply. The homeowner or installer applies to the electric distribution company (EDC) serving the property. Depending on location, that may be Commonwealth Edison Co, Ameren Illinois Company, MidAmerican Energy Co, or City of Springfield – (IL). Ask who submits and tracks the interconnection request. Illinois’ interconnection process is set out in ICC Part 466. If you have an HOA, the Homeowners’ Energy Policy Statement Act bars prohibiting or effectively prohibiting solar, while allowing limited design requirements that cannot reduce estimated annual production by more than 10% (765 ILCS 165/15 and 165/20).
Red flags
- Pressure to sign the same day instead of time to review the quote and contract.
- Unlicensed crews, or out-of-state crews whose qualifications and oversight the installer will not explain.
- Vague production estimates, unusually large upfront deposits, or unclear payment escalators.
- Promises of federal homeowner tax credits for purchases in 2026; homeowner credits ended December 31, 2025.
Leasing Solar Panels
For Aurora homes served by ComEd, Palmetto lists a solar power purchase agreement (PPA) as available. With a PPA, you buy the electricity the panels produce at a set price per kilowatt-hour rather than buying the system outright. Check that your address and project qualify.
Because panels generate more power in sunnier months, PPA charges can vary by season. A solar lease instead has a fixed monthly payment; see this comparison of buying and leasing solar for more details.
With a PPA, you may avoid the large upfront cash purchase, and the system provider generally handles maintenance under the agreement. Paying cash means owning the system, while taking responsibility for upkeep. Review contract terms and LightReach information to understand available services and options.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Explore LightReach LeasingFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, but the credit depends on when a ComEd-served Aurora solar system received permission to operate. Systems approved before January 1, 2025 generally keep 1:1 net metering, with excess kilowatt-hour credits carried over monthly.
For systems approved on or after that date, ComEd uses net billing: exported electricity earns credits at the Price to Compare for supply and transmission, not delivery charges or other fees. Remaining credits roll over to offset eligible charges.
Yes, owning solar panels may increase a home’s value in Aurora, IL. A Zillow study found homes with solar panels sold for about 4.1% more on average, but that is not a guaranteed increase for every home.
This potential value increase applies to purchased, homeowner-owned systems—not leased or other third-party-owned (TPO) systems. With a lease or PPA, resale may differ because the buyer may need to assume the agreement. Roof condition, system output, and local market conditions also matter.
In Aurora, homeowners can go solar with a LightReach lease for a low fixed monthly payment and no upfront cost. The calculator estimates payments of $58–$108 per month, depending on home size; a medium-home estimate is $79 per month.
A cash-purchased system is estimated at $21,257–$37,648, with $28,095 for a medium home. The federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential cash purchases following the 2025 federal law change. See the calculator above for the estimates and assumptions.
A solar lease lets you use panels owned by Palmetto for a fixed monthly payment, with no upfront cost. LightReach includes the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, comprehensive protection, and a 90% Production Guarantee.
For a typical 9.84 kW Aurora system, estimate about $79/month, based on Illinois’ 1,134 kWh/kW annual production ratio and $0.085/kWh. Palmetto claims the commercial 30% ITC and passes savings through lower payments; lease payments are typically below current electric bills, so savings can start when the system operates.
Yes. Solar panels work in Aurora, IL, which averages about 4.6 peak sun hours per day. They also produce electricity on cloudy days, though output is lower when sunlight is reduced.
Production changes by season: longer, sunnier summer days generally yield more, while Aurora’s short winter days, clouds, and snow can reduce output. An NREL-based estimate for a 10-kW system averages about 49 kWh per day in July and 20.5 in December; actual results depend on roof conditions, shade, and weather.
Solar panels in Aurora, IL, are low maintenance. Seasonal snow or debris may temporarily affect production, so monitoring system output can help identify a problem.
With LightReach, Palmetto owns the system and handles maintenance, monitoring, and repairs at no extra cost, including a 90% Production Guarantee.
In Aurora, a typical home system of about 9.8 kW can produce roughly 13,100 kWh per year. The article’s NREL-based estimate is 13,353 kWh annually for a 10 kW system.
Output changes with roof direction and pitch, shading, weather, and season. Aurora systems generally produce more on long, sunny summer days and less during winter’s shorter, cloudier days.