Illinois

Solar Legislator Score: ****
STATE LEGISLATION
Overall, Illinois is doing a pretty damn good job promoting solar power. The legislature has really encouraged residential and commercial use of renewable energy sources and related technologies. One of the laws recently passed assures the continued funding of the Renewable Energy Trust Fund. So, that fund now provides financial resources for solar and other renewable programs until 12/12/15.
Also, an important new bill went into effect September 24, 2007: Senate Bill 0680 (Public Act 095-0420) established a legal mandate requiring utilities to provide "Net Metering" to customers with renewable energy systems up to 2 MW! For systems with generators up to 40 kW, equipment is paid for by the utility; for larger systems, equipment is paid for by the customer.
In July of 2007, Illinois joined ranks with 24 other states to implement Renewable Energy Standards (RES), and is committed to achieving targets of 10% renewables by 2015 and 25% by 2025. Under this plan, 75% of the standard must be met by wind power, which relegates solar technologies to a relatively minor roll. However, there are a number of other programs promoting solar use which are detailed below.

STATE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, UTILITY REBATES, UTILITY LOANS, AND UTILITY INCENTIVES
Illinois offers a Property Tax Exemption to commercial, industrial, and residential sectors for on-site installations of passive solar space heat, solar water heat, photovoltaics, and solar space heat, as well as wind and geothermal electric technologies. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DECO) offers a Solar Energy Rebate Program which is available to just about everyone, providing rebates up to 30% of the project cost to a maximum of $10,000. Rebates apply to new photovoltaic or solar thermal systems.
In October of 2007, Governor Rod Blagojevich (One of our favorite political names.. conjures lovely images of slaw and kielbasa) announced over $1.5 million in grants for solar thermal energy systems under The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity “Renewable Energy Resources Solar Thermal Energy Grant Program”. Benefits are available to commercial, industrial, nonprofit, schools, associations, local and state government. Renewable energy projects are covered up to 30% of cost to a maximum of $400,000 (grants are subject to limitations of annual funding).

EXAMPLE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR INSTALLATION
While Chicago is known as “the windy city”, that moniker ain’t attributed to the strong breezes emanating from Lake Michigan. Chicago earned its windy reputation in the 1800’s from politicians who couldn’t seem to keep their mouths shut. Nevertheless, both wind and sunshine prevail in Chicago and surrounding Cook County. A solar rating of “Good”, and several state and federal incentives make solar installations quite attractive here. An example of a Chicago solar installation is described below.
The average residential use of electrical power in Illinois is 9,708 kwh/year. The installation of a solar power system to produce 50% of that electrical demand would require a roof space of 400 square feet and an estimated mid-range system and installation cost of approximately $36,000. Here’s what you get in return:
A $2000 federal tax credit
A $10,000 state rebate
An estimated $7,920 in increased property value
25 years of utility savings projected to be $16,617
100 fewer tons of greenhouse gases
Note: The Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) was founded in 1975 to promote widespread use of solar and other renewable/sustainable energy alternatives. For a virtual tour of 89 residential and commercial solar installations throughout the state.

CONSENSUS
Illinois has implemented a number of forward-thinking programs which encourage the use of solar power and other green energy sources and technologies. There seems to be good momentum here, with a chance that Illinois will be a trendsetter for alternative energy development.

http://www.solarpowerrocks.com/illinois/