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Independent solar advice in Aurora

Aurora Solar Installation 2026

SolSmart Gold community. ComEd $300/kW rebate. Illinois Shines upfront SREC. Fox Valley community solar program.

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The federal residential solar tax credit ended on December 31, 2025. We tell you the truth about what is left in 2026: which state programs still apply, and which financing paths can still capture federal value.

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Average local electricity rate (cents/kWh)
17
Peak sun hours per day (NREL)
4.4
Typical installed cost per watt
$3.04
Estimated payback (years, zero federal credit)
11.5

Electricity rate as of 2026-06-01. Sun hours: NREL PVWatts annual average, northern Kane/DuPage County fixed tilt. Cost per watt: EnergySage May 2026, Illinois statewide proxy for Aurora; limited Aurora-specific data. Payback estimate assumes zero federal residential credit (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025) and current utility net-metering tariffs.

Net metering in Aurora

ComEd Smart Solar Billing (IL Net Metering 2.0): supply-only credit approximately 10.4 cents/kWh (June 2026 Price to Compare). Pre-2025 systems grandfathered into full retail NEM for system lifetime. Accepting the ComEd $300/kW DG Smart Inverter Rebate permanently locks any system into supply-only billing regardless of install date.

Available programs

Solar incentives in Aurora, IL for 2026

Incentives available in IL

Federal residential solar credit (Section 25D): expired. The Section 25D residential investment tax credit expired December 31, 2025. The residential credit rate is 0%. State and local incentives below may still significantly reduce your net system cost. Commercial systems still qualify for Section 48E (30%).

Active solar incentives in IL
Program Benefit Eligibility Status Source
ComEd DG Smart Inverter Rebate
Local/State Incentive
$300/kW DC upfront for qualifying solar systems with a grid-interactive smart inverter. A 12 kW system earns $3,600.
CRITICAL TRADE-OFF: Accepting permanently locks the system into supply-only NEM at approximately 10.4 cents/kWh for exports. Evaluate the trade-off with your installer before accepting.
 ComEd customers in Aurora with a grid-interactive smart inverter Active DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Illinois Shines (IPA SREC Program)
Local/State Incentive
Upfront lump-sum payment from the IPA representing 15 years of projected REC production. ComEd territory under 10 kW: approximately $75-85/REC in 2025-26 program year. 2026-27 program year opens June 2026 with proposed 34% increase.
One REC equals 1,000 kWh of production. Proposed 2026-27 increase not yet final; verify at illinoisshines.com.
 Illinois residential solar in ComEd territory (Aurora) Active DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Fox Valley Community Solar (Progressive Business Solutions)
Local/State Incentive
Fox Valley Solar Farms by Aurora-based Progressive Business Solutions - cited as Chicagoland's largest behind-the-meter community solar installation. Previous project: 150 households in a 2 MW project. Participants in Illinois Solar for All-linked projects averaged 15% electricity cost savings.
Verify current project enrollment status at progressivebusinesssolutions.com. Linked to Illinois Solar for All projects.
 Aurora-area ComEd customers; verify current project enrollment status directly Limited DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Illinois Solar for All
Local/State Incentive
Waitlisted as of 2026-06-29. Apply early; verify at dsireusa.org.
Covers 70-100% of installation costs for income-qualified households (under 80% AMI). Single-family waitlist for 2026-27 opens June 2026.
Waitlist for 2026-27 opens June 2026. Verify at illinoissfa.com.
 Kane and DuPage County households at or below 80% AMI Waitlisted DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Illinois Property Tax Exemption
Local/State Incentive
Under 35 ILCS 200/10-10, solar added value excluded from property assessment - no property tax increase from solar.
 All Illinois homeowners with solar Active DSIRE (opens in new tab)

Data last verified June 29, 2026. Incentive programs change; verify current amounts and availability at dsireusa.org (opens in new tab) before committing to a project.

California property-tax exclusion sunsets December 31, 2026. Solar systems installed and permitted by December 31, 2026 lock in the exclusion for the life of the system under current California law (Revenue and Taxation Code Section 73). Systems installed in 2027 may not qualify if the Legislature does not extend the exemption. Verify current legislative status at ftb.ca.gov before signing a contract.

Why Aurora homeowners are moving now

After the January 2025 wildfires, battery storage became a priority

Aurora earned SolSmart Gold designation in 2018 - earlier than most Illinois cities - reflecting years of commitment to reduced solar permitting barriers. The city is home to Progressive Business Solutions, developer of the largest behind-the-meter community solar projects in Chicagoland. The Fox Metro Water Reclamation District's solar farm became fully operational in 2025 and publicly reported utility cost reductions, giving Aurora-area homeowners a high-visibility local reference point for solar performance data. Illinois ranks 12th nationally for residential solar installations, and the Fox Valley submarket tracks above the state average for adoption driven by ComEd rate growth since 2021.

Source: Fox Metro Water Reclamation District solar farm operational 2025; Fox Valley community solar projects (2025).

Illustrative example

What does a typical Aurora solar system actually cost and save?

Zero federal residential credit applied (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025). Figures are estimates based on market data as of 2026-06-29. Your numbers depend on your roof, your utility, and your bill.

System inputs

System size
12 kW
Gross cost ($3.04/W)
$36,480
Federal residential credit
$0 (expired Dec 31, 2025)
ComEd DG Smart Inverter Rebate $300/kW DC ($3,600 on 12 kW; see trade-off note)
Applied
Illinois Shines SREC upfront payment (15-year projected RECs)
Applied
Illinois Property Tax Exemption
Applied
Estimated net cost
$29,280

Estimated outcomes

Annual savings range
$1,700 to $2,700
Estimated payback
11.5 years

Aurora's ComEd rate (approximately 17 cents/kWh all-in, June 2026) and the $300/kW smart inverter rebate drive the financial case. Illinois Shines upfront SREC payment adds substantial value in ComEd territory. New systems under IL NM 2.0 earn supply-only credits at approximately 10.4 cents/kWh for exports - size the system to maximize self-consumption. No federal residential credit in 2026.

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Neighborhoods we serve

Solar in Aurora: high-adoption areas, equity zones, and post-fire demand corridors

High-adoption neighborhoods

Established solar saturation; higher installers per block, active neighbor referrals, and permit history at LADBS.

  • Stonebridge
  • Lakewood Valley
  • South Aurora
  • Ogden Avenue corridor
  • Fox Valley subdivision

Post-fire and growth corridors

Wildfire-affected and adjacent neighborhoods where battery storage demand surged following the January 2025 fires. Rebuilding homeowners and proximate neighbors with elevated grid-resilience priorities.

  • Northeast Aurora (Kane County)
  • Southeast Aurora (DuPage County)
LOCAL INSTALL PHOTO -- AURORA -- TO BE PROVIDED

Permitting and interconnection

How solar permitting works in Aurora

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

Permit office
City of Aurora Building Division (online permit portal, aurora.il.us)
SolarAPP+ status
SolarAPP+: Status unconfirmed
Permit fee
Aurora SolSmart Gold designation (2018). Separate building permit and electrical permit required. Valuation-based fee per 2026 Aurora Building Permit Fee Schedule; typical residential solar $150-$500 combined. Standard plan review: approximately 2-3 weeks for residential solar. SolarAPP+ not confirmed in use as of June 2026. Online submission via City of Aurora permit portal.
Typical contract-to-energization
6 to 10 weeks (permit 2-3 weeks, ComEd interconnection 4-8 weeks)

We handle the permit and interconnection filings

  • LADBS permit application and plan set preparation
  • SolarAPP+ submission for qualifying systems
  • LADWP or SCE interconnection application
  • Inspection coordination and utility sign-off
  • Certificate of Completion delivery to homeowner

Aurora earned SolSmart Gold designation in 2018, earlier than most Illinois cities, reflecting formally reduced solar permitting barriers. Kane County (for properties outside Aurora city limits) also holds SolSmart Bronze designation. The City of Aurora sustainability office maintains an active Solar In Aurora page at aurora.il.us with local contractor resources.

Your local Aurora advisor

One advisor. No door-knockers. No shared leads.

Serving Aurora and surrounding IL communities

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Stonebridge, Aurora REVIEW -- TO BE PROVIDED

[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial with ComEd bill comparison and SREC payment details]

System: 12 kW rooftop solar, ComEd territory, Illinois Shines SREC

South Aurora REVIEW -- TO BE PROVIDED

[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial from South Aurora home]

System: 10 kW rooftop solar, ComEd territory

Fox Valley, Aurora REVIEW -- TO BE PROVIDED

[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial mentioning Fox Valley community solar or SolSmart designation]

System: 11 kW rooftop solar, community solar subscriber

For business owners and property managers

Commercial Solar in Aurora and the Fox Valley

Aurora's Fox Valley commercial corridor, industrial parks, and multi-county footprint create substantial commercial solar opportunity. ComEd commercial net metering and the Illinois Shines commercial REC program apply across Kane and DuPage counties. Aurora spans four counties, creating multi-jurisdictional permitting considerations for large commercial installations near city limits. The federal 48E commercial credit requires construction to begin by July 4, 2026.

See commercial solar options

Commercial solar projects must begin construction by July 4, 2026 to qualify for the 30 percent Section 48E federal tax credit. After that date, the system must be placed in service by December 31, 2027.

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Aurora solar questions

What Aurora homeowners ask

City-specific answers. Every number references your utility and your permit office.

Is Aurora a good place for solar in Illinois?
Aurora earned SolSmart Gold designation in 2018, earlier than most Illinois cities, meaning the city has formally reduced solar permitting barriers. With ComEd as the utility, Aurora homeowners have access to the $300/kW DG Smart Inverter Rebate and the Illinois Shines upfront SREC payment. Aurora is also home to Progressive Business Solutions, which developed the largest behind-the-meter community solar projects in Chicagoland. Permitting takes approximately 2-3 weeks.

What is the Fox Valley Community Solar program?
Progressive Business Solutions, an Aurora-based company, developed Chicagoland's largest behind-the-meter community solar installation in the Fox Valley area. A previous project united 150 households in a 2 MW project, with participants in Illinois Solar for All-linked projects averaging 15% electricity cost savings. Verify current enrollment status directly at progressivebusinesssolutions.com, as project capacity changes over time.

Should I accept the ComEd $300/kW rebate in Aurora?
The rebate adds approximately $3,600 on a 12 kW system and is significant upfront value. The trade-off: accepting permanently locks the system into supply-only net metering at approximately 10.4 cents/kWh for exports under IL NM 2.0, even if the system would otherwise be grandfathered into full retail NEM. Work with your installer to model both scenarios based on your expected usage and export profile.

Is there a federal solar tax credit in 2026?
No. The Section 25D residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. Active Aurora incentives: ComEd $300/kW DG Smart Inverter Rebate, Illinois Shines upfront SREC payment, and the Illinois Property Tax Exemption under 35 ILCS 200/10-10.

More solar resources for Illinois:

Illinois solar guide All cities

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