Illinois Utility Guide

Export Credits & Battery Storage Rebates

April 3, 2026

Top Takeaways

1. Net Metering was replaced by an Export Credit in 2025
2. Storage customers may apply for a Battery Rebate

Supply-Only Export Crediting

1-to-1 net metering in ComEd & Ameren utilities closed on January 1, 2025.

New solar system installations will receive a supply credit for any solar not immediately consumed in the home, and thus exported to the grid. The export credit value will be at the current month's energy supply and transmission rates also known as the 'Price to Compare.'

The average Price to Compare in 2025 in ComEd was 8.3 cents per kWh, and 9.1 cents per kWh in Ameren. Summer months are likely to have higher credit values than winter months. For the summer months of 2025, it increased to 10 cents in ComEd and 12 cents in Ameren. (_source: Plugin.Illinois.Gov ).

Energy Storage Rebate

Palmetto's solar customers with an eligible energy storage system may optionally apply for an Energy Storage Rebate from ComEd and Ameren. Enrolling in an eligible Hourly Pricing (Time-of-Use) rate is required for the life of the storage system if you opt for the rebate.

Supply-Only Export Credit

How does it work?

• First, solar production powers loads in the home avoiding the need to purchase electricity at the utility's retail rate

  • Retail Rate = The same price per kilowatt-hour ($/kWh) the utility charges you today

• Electricity consumed from the grid (e.g. night and cloudy days) will continue to be charged the utility's retail rate

• Excess solar production not used inside the home is exported to the grid. The utility provides a bill credit at the current month's supply and transmission rates, which is called the Price to Compare

• Energy storage devices, if installed with your solar system, will first store excess solar production for use later in the home avoiding purchases from the utility at the retail rate

What charges from my Electric Utility Bill are included in the Export Credit?

• Electric Supply rates, which is the Price to Compare

What's charged on grid consumption?

• Electric Supply
• Electric Delivery
• State and Local Taxes and Other Mandated Charges

How much solar will Export to the grid?

It depends on you! When you consume energy, how much your system produces compared to your usage, each day's season/weather, and if you have battery storage.

Unless you are on the Hourly Pricing Time-of-Use rate, try shifting some consumption during the daytime when your solar system is producing excess energy. Under the new Export Credit policy in Illinois, it's now more advantageous to consume your solar rather than exporting it for a reduced credit. Some easy ways to do this is to charge your EV in the morning to early afternoon, and run appliances like the dryer and dishwasher during the day.

What does a Utility Bill look like with an Export Credit?

ComEd's Bill Explainers for Customers Interconnected as of 1/1/2025

To learn more, please visit ComEd or Ameren's net metering webpage.

Energy Storage Rebate

In 2025, there's a new Energy Storage Rebate that Palmetto customers may apply for themselves and receive directly from the incentive program. If you choose to fill out the application and meet program requirements, then the incentive money will be paid from the utility to you!

There are two other incentive programs in Illinois. As the system owner, Palmetto applies for and receives the Illinois Adjustable Block Program and the Distributed Generation Rebate. These incentives help keep your Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) rate down.

Palmetto customers may optionally apply for and receive the Illinois Energy Storage Rebate funds.

Customers should submit the application after the system is installed, and ComEd/Ameren issues Permission to Operate (PTO).

Eligibility Requirements

1. Have energy storage installed with your solar system

2. Standalone storage without solar does not qualify

3. Enroll in ComEd or Ameren's Hourly Pricing (Time-of-Use) rates for the life of the energy storage system

4. Agree to abide by all Program Terms & Conditions for the life of the system

5. Submit the application

Learn all the details here including how to submit the application

Energy Storage Rebate Value

As of January 2025, the Energy Storage Rebate for residential customers is $300 per kWh of storage nameplate capacity.

For example, two Tesla Powerwall 3's connected with a new or existing solar system is eligible for an estimated $8,100.

($300 * 13.5 kWh storage capacity per unit * 2 batteries)