Is plug-in solar legal in Illinois?
Bill stalled until 2027 Not yet. Illinois's 2026 bill (SB 3104 / HB 4371) didn't pass; supporters expect to try again in the 2027 session.
Stalled in the spring session; the November veto session could take it up. Without a dedicated law, a kit that sends power into your home wiring counts as a grid connection under your utility’s rules for rooftop solar. That usually means an interconnection application, and some utilities charge fees or require a licensed installer.
What you can do today:
- Ask your utility whether it has a simplified process for systems under 1,000 W. A few do.
- Use solar without touching the grid: a power station charged by portable panels is legal everywhere, including in a rental.
- Watch the bill. Illinois’s bill is SB 3104 / HB 4371. We update this page when anything changes.
What a kit would save in Illinois
| Kit size | Solar per year | Saved per year |
|---|---|---|
| 400 W | 377 kWh | $62 |
| 800 W | 753 kWh | $124 |
| 1,200 W | 1,130 kWh | $186 |
Panels on a south-facing balcony railing, Illinois’s average sunshine (NREL PVWatts, state average), today’s price of 19.3¢/kWh, and 85% of the output used at home. Run it for your ZIP code.
See every state’s plug-in solar status, or electricity prices and other rules in Illinois.