Plug-In Solar in Illinois — Status: deferred
Bill: SB 3104 / HB 4371 / HB 4516 — Plug-In Solar Device Access Act
Sponsor: Sen. Laura Fine (SB 3104)
Legislative Status: Deferred — May 2026. Sponsors ended their push after the IBEW (electrical workers union) filed opposition and a last-minute amendment would have banned all plug-in solar until the National Electrical Code is updated (not scheduled until late 2028). Sponsors plan to reintroduce in a future session.
Current Status: Deferred — Bill died May 2026. Sponsors plan to reintroduce next session.
Is Plug-In Solar Legal in Illinois?
A dedicated statewide plug-in solar pathway is not currently active in Illinois; SB 3104 / HB 4371 / HB 4516 is listed as deferred. Before installing or connecting equipment, confirm current utility or interconnection rules, local code or permit requirements, property or lease conditions, outlet and electrical suitability, and the equipment listing and manufacturer instructions.
Last Updated: April 2026
Key Information
| Average Electricity Rate | 15.6¢/kWh |
| Estimated Annual Savings | $190/year |
| TOU Rate Spread | 7¢/kWh |
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.3 |
| Retail Choice | full |
Key Provisions
Would have exempted certified plug-in solar devices from utility interconnection requirements. Would have prohibited utilities from charging extra fees. Would have allowed self-installation without permits.
What You Can Do
If passed: self-install certified systems without ComEd or Ameren approval.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
Law not yet enacted. Illinois utilities currently require interconnection agreements for any grid-tied system.
Available Rebates & Incentives
Illinois Shines (SREC program) provides incentive payments for solar generation through Approved Vendors. Illinois property tax exemption excludes solar system value from property tax. ComEd offers distributed generation rebates at $300/kW (note: SB 3104 explicitly states plug-in solar does not qualify for DG rebates). The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.
Incentive Program Links
- Illinois Shines — SREC Incentive Program — Incentive payments for solar generation; small distributed generation projects up to 25 kW eligible.
- Illinois Property Tax Exemption — IDOR — Solar system value excluded from local property tax assessment.
- ComEd — Distributed Generation Rebates — $300/kW rebate for traditional solar. Note: SB 3104 states plug-in solar does not qualify for DG rebates.
- DSIRE — Illinois Solar Incentives — Full list of Illinois state and utility solar incentive programs.
Demographics (US Census 2023)
| Population | 12,549,689 |
| Total Households | 5,036,449 |
| Owner-Occupied | 3,380,480 |
| Renter-Occupied | 1,655,969 |
| Single-Family Homes | 3,000,000 |
| Apartment Units (5+) | 559,698 |
| Median Household Income | $76,730 |
| Median Home Value | $230,900 |
Solar Resource Data (NREL PVWatts)
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.84 |
| Optimal Tilt Angle | 35° |
| Optimal Azimuth | Due South (180°) |
| Est. Annual kWh (800W system) | 1122 kWh |
| Best Solar Months | June–September |
Major Utilities
| Utility | Customers | Net Metering |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) | ~3.7 million customers | Yes |
| Ameren Illinois | ~1.2 million customers | Yes |
| MidAmerican Energy | ~unknown customers | Yes |
| Corn Belt Energy Corporation | ~37000 customers | Yes |
| Prairie Power, Inc. | ~78000 customers | Yes |
News Coverage
- Balcony solar bill dies in Illinois after union voices opposition — Canary Media (May 8, 2026)
- Balcony solar bills in New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, and Illinois look on track to pass — Canary Media (February 2026)
Explore Your Next Steps in Illinois
Use these tools and guides alongside the state-specific rules above to evaluate your space, potential savings, and the right connection approach.
- Compare every state — Return to the national tracker to compare enacted laws, pending bills, and unclear jurisdictions.
- Check your IL setup readiness — Review placement, outlet, property, and state-rule questions before choosing equipment.
- Estimate savings in Illinois — Use your location and setup assumptions to estimate bill savings and storage value.
- PJM’s New Data-Center Proposal: What It Could Mean for Reliability—and What It Does Not Decide About Your Bill — Read the most relevant PlugInSolarUS article for Illinois.
- Understand off-grid and grid-connected use — Separate truly off-grid or portable solar from equipment that connects to a building circuit or utility grid.