Residential Solar in Illinois
Going solar helps homeowners save money, reduce their carbon footprint, and take advantage of state and federal incentives. Those are all great things, but going solar with the wrong company can leave you with out-of-pocket costs and a system that does not work correctly.
At Windfree Solar, we have been in business since 2009 and have installed solar projects for over 600 homes across the Midwest. We are an experienced group of passionate individuals who aspire to bring clean energy systems to every home in the midwest.
SOLAR BENEFITS
Unique Clients, Custom Projects
We pride ourselves on completing challenging projects that many solar companies can’t get done. We have managed projects of all shapes and sizes and work hard to provide renewable energy solutions to homes, businesses, and commercial properties.
Grid Resiliency
Solar + Batteries provide resiliency when the grid has blackouts.
Reduce Carbon Footprint
Solar energy frees you from dependency on fossil fuels and lowers your carbon footprint.
Increase Property Value
Adding renewable energy systems to your home or business will increase the property value by about $20 per $1 in utility savings. This means if your solar PV system helps save $400 in a year, your home value increases by $8,000.
Saves You Money
Start saving money right away by producing and using your own energy.
Take Advantage of State & Federal Incentives
There are very impactful state and federal incentives that make going solar easier than ever.
Develop, Design & Install
As a full-service EPC, we handle the entire project process ourselves. That means we take care of everything from the initial sale to design, installation, and beyond.
When you partner with Windfree Solar, you work with the same group of professionals through the entire lifecycle of your project. Familiarity, trust, and thoroughness are paramount to us, and we work hard to give all of our clients a first-rate solar experience.
How Residential Solar Works in Illinois
When sunlight hits the solar panels on your roof, it generates DC electricity. An inverter converts that into AC electricity — the kind that powers your home. Any excess energy you produce flows back to the grid through ComEd’s net metering program, earning you bill credits you can use at night or on cloudy days.
Illinois remains one of the strongest states in the country for solar incentives, even after changes to federal policy. The state’s Adjustable Block Program pays homeowners directly for the renewable energy their panels produce, and ComEd’s net metering program continues to credit excess production against your bill.
Illinois Solar Incentives
Illinois Adjustable Block Program (REC Payments) Illinois pays solar homeowners for the Renewable Energy Credits their system generates through the state’s Adjustable Block Program. Most Chicagoland homeowners receive a lump-sum payment worth $5,000–$12,000 depending on system size, delivered roughly 6–12 months after installation. Windfree handles the entire application on your behalf — you don’t touch the paperwork.
ComEd Net Metering Under Illinois net metering rules, excess electricity your panels send to the grid earns you a bill credit at the retail rate. This dramatically reduces or eliminates your monthly ComEd bill. Combined with the REC payment, most homeowners see a strong return even without a federal tax credit.
Property Tax Exemption Illinois exempts the added value of a solar installation from your property tax assessment — so your home value goes up after going solar, but your property taxes don’t.
Note on the Federal Tax Credit The 30% federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025. Homeowners who installed in 2025 can still claim it on their 2025 tax return. For new installations in 2026, the Illinois state incentives above continue to provide meaningful savings — and in many cases still offset 30–50% of total project cost.
What Does a Residential Solar Installation Cost in Illinois?
Most residential solar projects in the Chicago area range from $18,000 to $35,000 before incentives, depending on system size, roof type, and equipment. After Illinois’ REC payment and property tax exemption, many homeowners bring their effective net cost down substantially — and start seeing monthly bill savings immediately.
Monthly savings depend on your current ComEd usage. Homeowners with bills of $150–$250/month typically see their bill drop to $15–$30 after going solar — and lock in those savings for 25+ years regardless of what utility rates do.
Windfree Solar offers flexible financing with many options so you can start saving from day one.
Our Residential Solar Installation Process
1
Free Consultation & Site Assessment We start with a conversation about your energy goals and a review of your roof, utility bills, and site conditions. Most assessments take less than an hour.
2
Custom System Design Our engineers design a system sized specifically for your home and energy usage — not a one-size-fits-all package. We use premium panels and hybrid inverters optimized for Illinois weather patterns.
3
Permits & Utility Applications We handle every permit, HOA submission, and ComEd interconnection application. You don’t lift a finger on paperwork.
4
Professional Installation Our certified installation crew completes most residential installations in 1–2 days. We work clean, communicate clearly, and leave your property exactly as we found it.
5
Inspections & Activation After passing municipal inspection, we coordinate your utility meter upgrade and system activation. Average timeline from contract to live system is 6–10 weeks in Chicagoland.
6
Ongoing Monitoring & Support Every Windfree installation includes web-based performance monitoring so you can see your production in real time and we back our work with a warranty!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my roof suitable for solar?
Most roofs in the Chicago area work well for solar. South, southwest, and west-facing roofs with minimal shading are ideal. We assess your specific roof during the free consultation — if solar doesn’t make sense for your home, we’ll tell you upfront.
How long do solar panels last?
Most modern panels carry a 25-year performance warranty and continue producing beyond that. Windfree uses Tier 1 panels from manufacturers with proven long-term track records.
What happens during a power outage?
Standard grid-tied solar systems shut down during an outage for safety reasons. If you want backup power, we can pair your system with a battery storage unit — we install leading battery systems including Enphase.
How long until I break even?
Payback periods vary based on system size, your ComEd usage, and the Illinois REC payment you receive. Most Chicagoland homeowners hit their break-even point within 6–10 years. With a 25+ year system life, that leaves well over a decade of free electricity after payback.
Will solar affect my home value?
Typically Yes. Although we cannot guarantee it, Studies consistently show solar adds measurable value to homes. In Illinois, that added value is also exempt from property taxes.
Why Chicagoland Homeowners Choose Windfree Solar
We’ve been installing solar in Illinois since 2009 — long before it became trendy. Over 600 residential installations and 25+ megawatts later, we’ve seen every roof type, utility situation, and project challenge there is.
We’re a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and an Equity Eligible Contractor (EEC), which means we can access additional incentives for qualifying projects in low-income or environmental justice communities.
And because we’re a full-service EPC — handling engineering, procurement, and construction in-house — you work with the same team from day one to final inspection. No subcontracting, no finger-pointing, no surprises.
Get a free quote today and find out how much you can save.
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