Overview of solar power in the U.S. state of Illinois
Solar electric car charging station in Frankfort, IllinoisIllinois electricity production by type
Solar power in Illinois has been increasing, as the cost of photovoltaics has decreased. As of the end of 2020, Illinois had 465 megawatts (MW) of installed photovoltaic and concentrated solar power capacity combined employing over 5,200 jobs.[1] Illinois introduced a community solar offering under the Illinois Shines program in 2019. As of 2024, Illinois was ranked fourth for its community solar operating capacity.[2]Illinois adopted a net metering rule which allows customers generating up to 40kW to use net metering, with the kilowatt hour surplus rolled over each month, and lost at the end of either April or October, as selected by the customer. In 2011, the limit was raised to 2 MW, but is not net metering, as the term is commonly known, as it uses two meters for systems larger than 40kW.[3]
As of 2022, Illinois ranks 17th nationally in cumulative installed solar capacity. There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 217,000 homes.[4]
History
Solar panels, Palatine Township
The first experimental solar power plant was in 1902, in Olney, Illinois, by H.E. Willsie and John Boyle, and was based on a design by Charles Tellier.[5] In 1904 they set up the Willsie Sun company in St. Louis, and built a 6-horsepower motor.[6]
In 2010 the country's largest urban solar array, 10 MW, was installed in West Pullman, on Chicago's south side.[8] In 2012, IKEA installed solar PV on its two stores in Bolingbrook and Schaumburg totaling almost 2 MW.[9] Also in 2012, the 20 MW Grand Ridge Solar Plant in LaSalle County was completed.[4] The University of Illinois built a 5.87 MW solar farm in 2015 which will provide 2% of the university's electricity.[10][11]
In November 2016, ComEdattempted to add additional fees to the bills of only residential solar users, commonly called demand charges, in the text of a wider energy bill.[12] They were eventually pulled out of the bill,[13] which passed in December 2016 without them.[14]
Illinois Solar for All
Solar projects that were approved during year-five of Illinois Solar for All generated more than 33 GWh per year.[15]
↑ Sherwood, Larry (August 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2011"(PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
↑ Sherwood, Larry (June 2011). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2010"(PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2011-06-29.
↑ Sherwood, Larry (July 2010). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2009"(PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2010-09-25. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
↑ Sherwood, Larry (July 2009). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2008"(PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
↑ Sherwood, Larry (July 2009). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2008"(PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p.16. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
↑ Sherwood, Larry (July 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2012"(PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p.16. Retrieved 2013-10-11.
↑ Sherwood, Larry (July 2014). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2013"(PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2014-09-26.
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