Illinois Net Metering: The Benefits for Local Solar Panel Owners
In 2023, the number of solar installations in the United States exceeded 200,000. Both businesses and individuals are increasingly choosing solar energy for various reasons: to lower their energy costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and simply take advantage of the opportunity to have their power plant.
The variety of ways to return on your investment makes investing in solar systems so attractive. One such way is solar net metering Illinois, a system that allows you to receive solar energy credits. This helps you save a lot on your electric bills. The policy encourages the transition to renewable energy and promotes energy independence and financial savings.
The solar net metering system still raises many questions and controversies. In this context, it is important to understand what benefits solar net metering brings to solar panel owners and how it affects your system.
What Is Net Metering in the Solar System?
Solar net metering is an electricity billing system that allows solar panel owners to earn credits for the excess energy they produce and send back to the grid. This system is designed to encourage the use of renewable energy and create a more sustainable energy infrastructure.
When a home with solar panels generates more electricity than it uses, the excess energy is sent back to the grid. With net metering, the electricity meter effectively “rewinds,” giving the homeowner credits for the surplus energy. These credits can be applied to future bills, helping to offset energy costs during times of lower production, such as at night or on cloudy days.
The main advantage of this system? You do not need a battery for solar net metering.
While having a reliable battery that can store electricity for hours is beneficial, these solar installations can be costly, starting at around $10,000. This expense can significantly impact your finances. On the other hand, net metering helps you avoid extra charges for energy used at night or on cloudy days.
What Is Needed for a Net Metering Illinois
There are a few things you need to connect to a solar panel net metering system successfully:
| Installed solar panels | Choose the best location for the panels, preferably facing south. |
| A two-way meter | To properly record excess energy, you need a special two-way meter to record consumed and produced electricity. (Usually, the energy company provides and installs such a meter.) |
| Connecting to the grid | Once the panels and meter are installed, your system must be connected to the power grid. This requires obtaining permission from the local energy company and, in some cases, from the local authorities. |
| A contract | A contract with the electricity supplier must be concluded, which will specify the terms of the no-metering, including tariffs and rules for using credits. |
We also strongly recommend not delaying the installation of solar panels and net metering, as the credit rate for 2025 is expected to be significantly lower. By acting now, you can secure your home and energy needs with a stable contract from a supplier that offers fair and consistent solar net metering rates.
Here’s how net metering works:
How Does Solar Net Metering Work?
You can join the net metering program by following these steps:
- Assessing the potential: Start by determining your home’s potential for solar panels. It includes analyzing the sun exposure, available space, and roof condition.
- Finding a contractor: Find a reputable solar contractor or installation company. They will help you choose the right system, prepare the design, and install the equipment.
- Net metering application: Apply to join the solar net meter program for your energy company.
Once you have signed a contract with a supplier, you can start enjoying the benefits of no metering:
Net-Metering Solar Financial Savings
The main financial benefit of the net metering program is a significant reduction in your electricity bill. The amount you can save depends only on how much light your panels receive and how much power they generate.
A solar panel net metering system is still an opportunity for owners to offset the excess electricity they produce. The excess is returned to the grid, and based on this, owners receive credits for their future electricity bills. In Illinois, these credits can be used throughout the year, giving you some peace of mind that you will have electricity in less sunny times without incurring a significant cost.
Fill out this form to learn how net metering in Illinois can save you a lot on your bill!
Net Metering Program Environmental Impact
Solar panels are one of the cleanest sources of energy, producing no direct emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) or other harmful substances during electricity generation. According to the EIA, for every megawatt-hour of electricity produced by solar panels, around 0.9 pounds of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels are avoided.
We should prioritize making our lives more environmentally friendly, and using solar panels with net-metering solar is a great opportunity to do so. By using renewable solar energy, which produces no toxic emissions, we can reduce our carbon footprint and improve air quality.
Solar net metering systems help eliminate harmful substances such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the air. Cleaner air can reduce the incidence of respiratory diseases and enhance overall health.
Energy Independence
Another benefit is that it incentivizes the installation and use of solar power, thereby reducing electricity demand. Now, if you have loans, you can be independent of electricity prices.
Besides, by reducing the need for electricity from fossil fuels, you also lower the need for the extraction and transportation of these resources, which are often associated with environmental risks such as oil spills, methane emissions, and the destruction of ecosystems.
Increased Property Value
When you purchase solar panels and become part of a net metering Illinois program, you can see how quickly the price of your home will increase. Homes with solar panels installed are sold for more than similar homes without these systems. Homes with solar panels also often sell faster than homes without them. It is due to the growing interest in clean renewable energy and the desire of buyers to reduce their carbon footprint.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes with solar panels are sold 56% faster than conventional homes. This might be attributed to the increased demand for energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable homes.
Support for the Local Economy
Did you know that installing and maintaining solar panels requires a lot of skilled labor? This, in turn, greatly affects your life and develops the local economy. The net metering Illinois program can greatly affect the development of small and medium-sized businesses. It gives an advantage to local companies that will play a key role in supporting the infrastructure.
Besides, small businesses can be even more important to the community because they are more involved in local communities and are more flexible in adapting to customer needs. Businesses installing solar panels on their buildings and using net metering for solar can also reduce operating costs.
It allows them to reinvest the savings into growing local businesses, creating new jobs, and improving services.
Reliability and Resilience
Solar net metering can make life easier for those who use solar energy. It gives you peace of mind that you will have energy. This way of saving on electricity has many other benefits that can gradually improve your life.
Need a trustworthy solar solution? Stop waiting — get your free solar quote now!
FAQ
How does net metering affect my electric bill?
Net metering systems allow you to receive credits for the excess electricity your solar panels generate. These credits can be used to offset the electricity you consume from the grid, potentially reducing or eliminating your electric bill.
Can I still benefit from net metering if I don't produce more electricity than I consume?
Yes, even if you don't produce more electricity than you consume, the net metering program allows you to reduce your overall electricity costs by offsetting the amount you need to purchase from the grid.
Are there any limitations to net metering in Chicago?
Net metering system policies vary depending on the utility company and state regulations. It's important to check with your local utility provider and understand the specific rules and limitations that apply to solar net metering in Chicago.
