Why Chicago Homeowners Choose Solar
More Chicago homeowners are looking into solar every year, not because it’s free (it isn’t), but because it reduces what you owe ComEd every month and builds equity instead of renting your power indefinitely. Chicago’s housing stock means solar looks a little different here than in a lot of the Midwest. Here’s why it makes sense, whichever kind of home you live in.
Lower Your Monthly ComEd Bill
Generate your own power and reduce what you owe ComEd every month, with $0-down financing options available through our lease/PPA partner.
Built for Chicago’s Housing Stock and Winters
From the bungalow belt to two-flats and three-flats across the city, older Chicago roofs get a real site assessment, not a generic template. Panels are mounted and angled to handle wind off Lake Michigan, freeze-thaw cycles, and heavy snow load.
Not a Rooftop Owner? Community Solar Still Works
Renters, condo owners without roof rights, and homeowners with HOA restrictions can often subscribe to a community solar project instead, and still see a credit on their ComEd bill. We’ll tell you honestly which option fits your situation.
You’re Already Paying for Power. Why Not Own It?
Every month, a payment leaves your account for electricity, and that money buys you nothing you keep. Here’s the real difference between renting your power and owning it.
What Makes SolQ Different in Chicago
Chicago homeowners have national call-center installers and door-to-door sales teams pitching Illinois Shines like a coupon. Here’s what sets SolQ apart.
A Real Track Record, Not a Startup Pitch
More than 2,000 completed installations across our Midwest markets, including real ComEd-territory experience in Cook County. See the exact local numbers below.
Verified Credentials, Not Just Claims
NABCEP-certified installation, an A+ BBB rating, and EnergySage’s 2026 Local Installer of the Year award. All independently verifiable, not self-reported.
We Explain Illinois Shines Instead of Overselling It
RECs, program capacity, and ComEd’s rebate eligibility explained honestly and specific to your address, not a generic “go solar for free” pitch.
A Financing Fit, Not a Sales Quota
$0-down Lease or PPA options through LightReach, or ownership through a Salal Credit Union loan or cash purchase. We walk through both so you choose what fits your goals.
How Home Solar Actually Works
Understanding how a residential solar system works helps you ask the right questions before you sign anything. Here’s the short version.
Solar Panels
Mounted on your roof, panels convert sunlight into DC electricity. We size the array to your household’s actual usage, not a generic package.
Inverter
Converts DC power from the panels into the AC electricity your home actually runs on, the same current ComEd delivers.
Utility Meter
Tracks power flowing to and from the grid under ComEd’s tariff, so your system’s production is measured and credited accurately.
Monitoring
Track production from your phone, so you always know exactly what your system is generating.
What to Expect: Your Solar Installation Timeline
Illinois timelines run a little longer than some states because Illinois Shines processing, ComEd interconnection review, and City of Chicago permitting add steps beyond the physical installation. Many projects are installed within 30 to 60 days of signing; we’ll give you a project-specific timeline before you sign.
Free Consultation & Usage Review
We review your last 12 months of ComEd usage and use Aurora Solar’s industry-leading design software to precisely model your roof’s sun exposure, including nearby buildings and tree canopy common in Chicago neighborhoods.
Custom System Design & Financing
We size your system to your actual usage, and you choose the financing route (Lease/PPA or cash/loan purchase) that fits your goals.
Illinois Shines Application & Interconnection
We handle the Illinois Shines project application through our Approved Vendor and file the interconnection application with ComEd on your behalf. This step, plus City of Chicago permitting, is often the biggest factor in overall timeline.
Installation Day
Our NABCEP-certified crew installs your system. Most residential jobs are completed in a day or two, depending on system size.
Inspection & Permission to Operate
Local inspection and ComEd’s permission-to-operate sign-off happen before your system is switched on.
Monitoring & Ongoing Support
You get app access to track production in real time, and SolQ stays available if you ever have questions about your system.
Real Local Proof: Where Chicago Stands Today
We’re direct about this: SolQ does not yet have a completed installation inside Chicago city limits to point to. Here’s the honest picture of where we actually stand, not a padded number.
Figures reflect our completed project records as of August 2026. As we complete installations inside Chicago, we’ll update this page with real streets, the same way we do everywhere else.
Real Customers, Real Stories
Hear directly from homeowners who made the switch with SolQ.
Serving Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is anchored by institutions like CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives exchange, headquartered in the Loop, plus the University of Chicago and healthcare systems including Rush University Medical Center and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The housing stock is distinctive: an estimated 80,000 brick bungalows across the South and Southwest Side “bungalow belt,” plus dense two-flats and high-rise condos, so rooftop solar fits many homes but not every household. That’s part of why we lead with rooftop and community solar here. In January 2025, the City of Chicago announced all city-owned buildings, including O’Hare, Midway, and the Harold Washington Library, now run on 100% renewable power; a municipal-government milestone, not a claim about every home’s electricity. SolQ installs rooftop solar and connects eligible renters and condo owners to community solar within ComEd’s Chicago territory, the anchor city of Cook County. For full ComEd rate, rebate, and net-metering details across the territory, visit our ComEd Illinois hub. For Illinois utilities and Illinois Shines statewide, visit our Illinois solar hub.
Check Coverage for My AddressIs Your Chicago Home a Good Fit for Solar?
Many Chicago homes are strong solar candidates, and some aren’t, which is exactly why we do a real assessment. Here’s what we actually check before we design your system.
Roof Direction
South- and west-facing sections get the most consistent sun. East-facing roofs still perform well; production just shifts to a morning peak.
Shading
Chicago’s mature tree canopy and closely spaced two-flats and taller buildings can shade a roof more than a home with open lot lines. We use Aurora Solar’s precision modeling plus an on-site check, not a guess from a satellite photo.
System Sizing
Sized to your last 12 months of ComEd usage, not your roof size. A modest bungalow and a larger single-family home will size differently; EVs and heat pumps push the number up.
Your Home’s Roof Type
From classic bungalows and brick two-flats to newer construction, roof type matters less than sun-facing space, structural condition, and usage. In a condo or high-rise without roof access? Ask about community solar instead.
Financing Options
Lease or PPA $0 DOWN
A multi-year lease or PPA with no upfront cost, through our partner LightReach. You pay a fixed monthly lease payment or a per-kWh rate for power produced, not ownership of the equipment.
Cash or Loan Purchase
Own your system outright, no ongoing lease or PPA payment. Loan options through Salal Credit Union, with term and rate disclosed in your written proposal.
ComEd: What to Know in Chicago
ComEd powers virtually every home in Chicago. Here’s the real breakdown, not a one-size-fits-all pitch.
ComEd
Chicago & Northern IllinoisComEd, an Exelon company headquartered in Chicago, serves Chicago and most of northern Illinois. New solar customers are placed on net billing (ComEd’s standard program term, not a separate brand name), crediting solar exports at the Supply, or generation, portion of the bill only, not the full retail rate. New systems also qualify for a one-time Distributed Generation rebate of $300 per kilowatt installed (smart inverter required, paid roughly 90 days after energization), plus a separate $300 per kilowatt-hour battery rebate requiring enrollment in ComEd’s hourly pricing (Rate BESH); it can’t combine with Community Solar. Not a recurring credit, and each rebate is available once per system.
If your Chicago system was installed and interconnected before January 1, 2025, you keep full legacy net metering, credited at the full retail rate, for that system’s life (up to 30 years). We confirm exactly which terms apply to your account before you sign anything.
Illinois Shines: How the Incentive Actually Works
Illinois Shines is the state’s Adjustable Block Program, run on behalf of the Illinois Power Agency to help meet the state’s renewable energy goals. Here’s how it works: your array generates electricity and creates Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), the tradable proof clean energy was produced. An Approved Vendor can sell those RECs into Illinois Shines for payment, typically used to help offset your system cost. SolQ is a registered Designee under multiple Approved Vendors participating in Illinois Shines. We are not the State of Illinois, the Illinois Power Agency, the Illinois Commerce Commission, or ComEd, and don’t control REC pricing or program capacity.
A few things worth knowing upfront: REC value depends on current program pricing and available block capacity, both set by the program administrator, not SolQ, and both change over time, factored into your financing rather than paid to you directly in most cases. If your RECs are sold into Illinois Shines, you’re being compensated for that environmental attribute, not claiming the system was “free.” We’ll show you the program mechanics that apply to your specific Chicago proposal, not a number pulled from an old rate card.
Net Metering in Illinois: What Changed
If you’ve heard Illinois solar rules “changed” and weren’t sure what that meant, here’s the straight version for Chicago homeowners.
Net Billing, Since January 2025
Since January 1, 2025, new ComEd solar customers are automatically placed on net billing rather than legacy full-retail net metering. Net billing credits only the Supply portion of your bill. This applies to systems installed from that date forward.
Existing Solar Is Grandfathered
If your system was installed and interconnected before January 1, 2025, you keep full legacy net metering, credited at the full retail rate, for the life of that system.
A One-Time DG Rebate Is Available
ComEd offers a one-time Distributed Generation rebate of $300 per kilowatt of installed generating capacity, plus a separate $300 per kilowatt-hour rebate for battery storage (requires Rate BESH enrollment). Not a recurring credit.
Expanding an Existing System
If you’re adding capacity to a ComEd-connected system installed before 2025, whether it keeps legacy net metering depends on your original interconnection size and date. We confirm what applies before you decide.
Illinois Solar Incentives, Straight Talk
No State Income Tax Credit
Chicago’s residential solar economics run through Illinois Shines’ REC value and ComEd’s DG Rebate, not a state income tax credit, which Illinois doesn’t offer.
Property Tax: Capped, Not Exempt
Illinois uses an alternate valuation that assesses your home as if it had a conventional heating/cooling system instead of solar, and applies whichever value is lower. It caps the tax impact rather than fully exempting it, and it isn’t automatic; you (or SolQ, on your behalf) file with the Cook County Assessor’s Office.
Federal Credit: Financing-Dependent Now
The 30% federal residential credit (Section 25D) ended for cash and loan purchases not completed by December 31, 2025. Lease and PPA agreements can still pass through a federal credit through 2027 under a separate provision. See our FAQ for the honest breakdown.
Built Around Illinois’s Rules, Not a National Template
From ComEd’s net billing rules and Distributed Generation rebate to Illinois Shines REC mechanics, every Chicago proposal starts with your actual utility and program terms, not a copy-pasted savings estimate from a national call center.
Get Your Free EstimatePremium Equipment We Install
NABCEP-certified installation using trusted equipment, sourced through distributor CED Greentech. Panels shown below reflect what we’ve installed across our Illinois markets and bring to Chicago homes.
See what solar could mean for your Chicago home
Free, no-obligation estimate. No “free solar” pitch, no pressure.
Get My Free Solar DesignFrequently Asked Questions
Is solar really “free” in Chicago?
No, and we’ll never tell you it is. Illinois Shines pays for the RECs your system produces, which can meaningfully offset cost, but it isn’t free equipment or installation. A $0-down Lease or PPA means no upfront cash from you, not that the system has no cost; you’re paying for the power it produces over the contract term instead.
Is SolQ affiliated with the State of Illinois, the Illinois Power Agency, or ComEd?
No. SolQ is an independent solar installer and a registered Designee under multiple Approved Vendors participating in Illinois Shines. We are not the State of Illinois, the Illinois Power Agency, the Illinois Commerce Commission, or ComEd, and we don’t set program rules, REC pricing, or utility rebate terms.
Is the federal solar tax credit still available in Chicago?
For cash and loan purchases, no. The 30% federal residential credit (Section 25D) ended for systems not completed by December 31, 2025. Lease/PPA customers still benefit indirectly: our financing partner owns the system and claims a separate federal credit for commercial-owned solar (Section 48E, through 2027), part of how they can offer $0-down payments below what you’re currently paying ComEd. We’ll walk through what applies before you sign anything.
Do I keep the RECs from my Chicago solar system, or does SolQ?
It depends how you finance. Own your system (cash or loan) and you own the RECs, free to sell them into Illinois Shines. Finance through a Lease or PPA and the financing company typically owns the system and its RECs unless your contract states otherwise. We’ll show you what your agreement says before you sign.
How does ComEd credit my solar production?
Systems installed and interconnected before January 1, 2025 keep legacy net metering, credited at the full retail rate. Systems installed since then are placed on net billing, crediting only the Supply, or generation, portion of the bill. SolQ confirms which method applies to your account.
How much does a solar system cost for an average Chicago home?
Cost depends on system size, roof condition, and financing choice (Lease/PPA vs. cash/loan purchase). SolQ provides a written estimate, not a guaranteed savings figure, after a site-specific review of your ComEd usage.
Who are SolQ’s financing partners?
For Illinois homeowners, SolQ offers $0-down Lease and PPA options through LightReach, and loan financing through Salal Credit Union for those who want to own their system outright.
Does Chicago have city-specific permitting requirements?
Yes. The City of Chicago has its own Department of Buildings permitting process on top of the ComEd interconnection filing, part of why timelines here can run longer than in smaller municipalities. SolQ handles permitting as part of your proposal.
I rent or live in a condo without roof access. Can I still go solar in Chicago?
Rooftop panels require roof access and, for condos and co-ops, usually association approval, so they aren’t an option for every household. A community solar subscription is often a workable alternative: you subscribe to a share of an off-site solar project and get a bill credit instead. Availability depends on current program capacity and isn’t guaranteed for every address; we’ll tell you honestly whether it’s available where you live.
What kind of warranty comes with my system?
Most solar panels carry a 25-30 year manufacturer warranty (terms vary by brand), most batteries carry a 10 year warranty, and inverter warranties typically range 10-25 years depending on brand. Lease/PPA agreements through LightReach typically include a bumper-to-bumper warranty with a production guarantee for the full term.
What areas of Chicago does SolQ serve?
SolQ installs rooftop and connects community solar within Chicago, across ComEd’s territory in the city. For coverage in the surrounding suburbs, or elsewhere in Illinois, visit our Illinois solar hub.
How long does a Chicago solar installation take, start to finish?
Many projects are installed within 30 to 60 days of signing, though Illinois Shines application processing, ComEd interconnection review, and City of Chicago permitting can extend timelines in some cases. Installation itself is usually done in a day or two.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule a Free ConsultationSolQ is an independent solar provider and is a registered Designee under multiple Approved Vendors participating in Illinois Shines. SolQ is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the State of Illinois, the Illinois Power Agency, the Illinois Commerce Commission, ComEd, or any government agency. “Illinois Shines” and the Adjustable Block Program are administered by the Illinois Power Agency and its program administrator, not by SolQ. REC pricing and Illinois Shines block capacity are set by the program administrator and change over time; figures on this page are general program information, not a quote or guarantee for your system. Solar RECs are compensation for your system’s environmental attributes, not a rebate on the equipment, and selling them does not make a system “free.” Savings, rebate, and incentive figures shown are estimates, not guarantees; actual results vary by system, usage, and current program terms. The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) ended for cash/loan purchases completed after December 31, 2025; a separate credit may apply to third-party-owned Lease/PPA systems through 2027. Financing offered through third-party partners (LightReach for Lease/PPA, Salal Credit Union for loans); terms are disclosed in your agreement and subject to partner approval. Illinois’s property tax treatment of solar is an alternate assessment, not a full exemption, and requires filing with your county assessor (Cook County Assessor’s Office for Chicago); confirm eligibility with your tax advisor. ComEd’s Distributed Generation and Battery Storage Rebate terms, including requirements like smart inverter installation or Rate BESH enrollment, are set by ComEd and subject to change; confirm current terms with ComEd or SolQ before relying on a specific figure. Community solar availability depends on current program capacity and isn’t guaranteed for every address. The City of Chicago’s 100% renewable energy milestone announced January 2025 applies to city-owned buildings only, not private residences. Content verified as of August 2026.