Illinois Restarts Solar Rebates
February 2006
Illinois rebates have encouraged installation of solar systems, such as this system rated at 136.6 kW on the roof of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Credit: Spire Corporation
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Energy and Recycling Office announced in early January that it started giving solar rebates to businesses and consumers again after a hiatus in 2005. DCEO had halted the rebate program last summer pending the outcome of the 2005 Energy Bill so the Illinois rebate could complement the federal one.
DCEO announced it was restarting the solar rebates on January 3 without waiting for publication of the new federal tax-cut rules because it wasn't clear how long it would take to specify them. DCEO Deputy Director of Energy and Recycling Hans Detweiler said, "We've decided to go ahead with the best available information." Detweiler said the state has $500,000 available for rebates in 2006.
The Illinois solar rebate covers 30% of the cost of a solar heat or power system, to a maximum of $10,000.
The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy publishes a complete list of Illinois' solar incentives.
See more Illinois project descriptions published in Conservation Update.
Read recent Illinois news stories about state involvement in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects published on the EERE Web site.