Kane County (extending into DuPage, Will & Kendall)
Solar Panels in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora sits in ComEd territory, which means it gets Illinois’ statutory full retail-rate net metering — a meaningfully better deal on exported power than neighboring Naperville’s municipal arrangement.
Your utility in Aurora: ComEd
Aurora is inside ComEd's service territory, so your system falls under Illinois' statutory net metering rules. Exported electricity is credited at the full retail rate, offsetting power you draw at night or in winter on a one-to-one basis.
What retail-rate net metering is worth
Full retail-rate credit means a kilowatt-hour you export in July offsets a kilowatt-hour you import in January at the same value. It is the most valuable form of net metering available in Illinois — and notably better for surplus production than the municipal arrangement in neighboring Naperville, where leftover credits are cashed out annually at 4.9¢/kWh.
Local considerations
- As Illinois’ second-largest city, Aurora spans four counties; your permit comes from the City of Aurora regardless of which county line your address falls on.
- ComEd handles the interconnection application and the meter swap after your installer finishes the work.
What Aurora homeowners can claim
Federal tax credit — ended
The 30% federal residential credit ended December 31, 2025. Buy in 2026 with cash or a loan and there is no federal credit. Leases and PPAs differ — the system owner may still claim a business credit through 2027 and reflect it in your rate.
Illinois Shines (SRECs)
Pays for the renewable energy credits your system produces, generally as an upfront payment covering about 15 years of generation. ComEd customers participate directly.
Net metering
Illinois statutory net metering through ComEd: full retail-rate credit for exported energy.
Property tax treatment
Illinois provides a special assessment for solar energy systems so that adding solar does not increase your property tax the way a comparable improvement would. Ask your installer to confirm the filing.
Want the arithmetic for your own bill? Use the savings calculator or read the full Illinois incentives guide.
Permits and interconnection in Aurora
Two approvals are involved in Aurora: a building/electrical permit from the local municipality, and ComEd's interconnection approval, which must be granted before the system is switched on. In practice your installer files both.
Permit fees vary by municipality and system size and are not published as a single flat rate, so treat any quote that does not itemize permitting with caution. Ask specifically: who pulls the permit, who files the ComEd interconnection, and whether both are included in the price.
Solar in Aurora: common questions
Who is my electric utility in Aurora?
Aurora is in ComEd’s service territory. That means your solar system falls under Illinois’ statutory net metering rules, and ComEd processes your interconnection application.
How does net metering work in Aurora?
Under Illinois net metering, ComEd credits the electricity you export at the full retail rate — a one-to-one credit that offsets what you draw from the grid at other times. That is a materially better arrangement for excess production than the municipal utility next door in Naperville.
Do I qualify for Illinois Shines in Aurora?
Yes. Illinois Shines (the Adjustable Block Program) pays for the Renewable Energy Credits your system generates, typically as an upfront payment covering roughly 15 years of production. Projects in municipal electric utility and rural cooperative territories are eligible to participate alongside ComEd, Ameren and MidAmerican customers — so both Naperville and ComEd-served homes across our service area can take part.
What permits do I need in Aurora?
You need a building/electrical permit from the Aurora building department, and ComEd must approve the interconnection before your system can be turned on. Your installer normally pulls the permit and files the ComEd paperwork; confirm that is included in your quote rather than billed later.
Is solar worth it in Aurora with Illinois winters?
Yes — panels actually operate more efficiently in cold temperatures; the limiting factor in winter is shorter days and snow cover, not the cold itself. Northern Illinois systems typically generate most of their annual output between spring and early autumn, which is exactly why annual credit banking matters and why the local net metering terms above are worth understanding before you size a system.
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