Before purchasing solar panels, it is important to consider the energy efficiency of the property, CWLP’s low electric rates, the cost of the panels over time, and how financing will factor into your overall costs. While solar prices have come down some over the years and incentives have been available, recent Federal legislation is eliminating tax credits so it's important to understand those impacts to costs before committing to a purchase. Going solar may not be the least expensive energy source if just cost is your deciding factor.
CWLP’s Energy Services Office encourages consumers to first do a thorough assessment on a property's home energy efficiency and usage to help make informed decisions based on your goals and energy needs. A CWLP
Home Energy Audit is a great place to start to measure a property’s energy efficiency and ensure that major leaks or inefficient appliances aren’t wasting a lot of energy.
High pressure sales and encouragement for customers to build more solar than needed is a common issue to avoid. “As many dozens of companies, if not more, are new to the local market and offering solar panel installation and agreements—and this is also a fairly new realm for consumers to navigate and research before moving forward with a solar panel purchase or contract,” said Brett Blakley CWLP Energy Services Manager. “It’s important for our customers to determine if a particular solar project is going to meet the goals they are seeking and be sized correctly—whether it’s for cost savings, reliability or for environmental benefit.”
The Basics & Net Metering
Solar works when energy from the sun is collected and converted into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) technology. DC electricity passes through an inverter and converts to AC, the type of electricity that you access through the outlets in your property.
Customers with approved solar installations under 25 kW can be eligible full retail rate for all production through Net Metering. This means if the solar array produces more power than is used in a property, the net meter moves in reverse and if the array produces more electricity than the property uses during the billing period the customer is billed for zero kWh. The excess energy is credited for future use until cleared each March for a billing re-set.
Your CWLP bill will show the energy delivered and received each month along with any banked credits.
Will You Save Money?
Bill savings or “zero your utility bill” is a common touted benefit from solar vendors. Whether buying or leasing a system, the payback in energy savings would need to equate to the cost of the system or lease outright or over time—with financing costs and considering the life of the system. CWLP currently offers full retail net metering and interconnection to its electric system for its residential and commercial customers installing solar. Factoring in the size of your solar installation and estimated production against the energy projected your property uses could indicate if your system could benefit from net metering by lowering your CWLP bill due to less energy used from the utility in addition to any excess energy generated by the customer-owned solar installation.
To calculate your CWLP residential energy cost, it would be reasonable to use 12 cents per kWh and an escalation factor of no more than 2% per year or see just the electric portion of the bill showing total electric charges. For the past few years, CWLP residential electric rates have been well below the state average. As an example, from January 2025 to June 2025, the average CWLP customer paid $96 per month for electric costs, while the average of other Illinois utility customers shows they paid $139 per month.
CWLP recommends customers compare their electric charges to all the costs for solar including for equipment, installation, maintenance, financing and any other costs associated with the solar project. If there are net metering benefits projected or other incentives, rebates, or tax credits—ensure you meet the qualifications—and include those amounts to determine how it offsets the cost of a solar project.
Blakely emphasized the importance of research before agreeing to a solar installation. “A renewable energy system can be a valuable long-term investment when executed right,” said Blakley. “Homeowners and small business operators should be sure to not cut corners and do some thorough analysis of all of the factors for adding solar to ensure intended goals are met and there is value for their investment.”
Solar Checklist
• Does your property pass the energy efficiency test? Is it well insulated? Are your appliances and lighting energy efficient? Do you manage your thermostat and is your heating and air conditioning system efficient? These are lower cost investments you should consider to begin to yield energy savings.
• Research the type of system that best fits your property’s energy needs. If rooftop is best option, determine if your rooftop is a fit for solar panels based on exposure to direct sunlight and if the condition and structure of your roof is adequate. Ensure you have easy and safe access to the roof in order to allow for effective inspection, maintenance, and repair for the PV system.
• Check with your homeowner’s insurance company about the addition of solar panels
• Determine your property’s current average energy use and energy cost
• Request proposals from 2 to 3 reputable solar contractors.
• Determine whether purchasing the solar panels is in your best interest or that if financing, the terms are fair.
Questions to Ask
• Should I buy or lease the system and what is the difference?
• How much energy will the system provide?
• What purchase and financing options are available? What does the bid include and what are all the costs for permitting, equipment, installation labor and maintenance?
• What are the terms of financing and what is the interest rate and duration (in years) of the financing agreement?
• Will my monthly loan payments be equal or less than the savings on my electric bill?
• What happens if I move?
• What will the total cost be from start to finish including design and installation?
• What is the warranty life of the solar panels and the inverter?
• If there are incentives, who completes the paperwork for the potential tax credits, rebates and other incentives? What are the tax credit requirements?
• Are the people installing the system employees or subcontractors?
• Does the company’s product offer a safe power off for disconnection on the exterior of the property?
• How will the installer consult with CWLP? Does the installer have experience coordinating/integrating solar systems with the electric grid?
Choosing a Solar Company
• Verify the solar company carries insurance.
• Ensure the company will use a licensed electrician that is registered with the City of Springfield for installation.
• Ask for references and search company through the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Find out who would install the system and if a licensed or master electrician would be on site.
• Because a correctly sized, sited, installed, and maintained PV system is essential for maximizing its energy performance and minimizing the chance of injury, the installation of residential solar panels should always be done by a professional contractor.
• Determine if the energy savings promised match up or if they are less accurate or sound too good to be true.
Reporting Solar Vendor Trouble
General Complaints:
Illinois Shines/Illinois Power Agency Program Complaints
What Solar Does CWLP Have?
CWLP owns and operates at 250 kW solar installation, which went into operation in December 2018. It is located behind Harrison Park subdivision and adjacent to the Sangamon Valley Trail and the utility’s Washington Substation at 606 Old Tippecanoe Drive. Beyond a new generation resource, this solar installation provides CWLP customers the opportunity to purchase solar energy for those that want to go green or for customers without the financial means or roof space to install their own solar. Through a solar subscription program, “mySolar,” CWLP customers can purchase 100 kWh blocks of solar energy at $4.40 each through their bill.
In addition to mySolar, CWLP has two upcoming power purchase agreements to fulfill energy and capacity requirements that will source from new local solar developments planned to go into operation in 2028. These are for 25 MW solar capacity and energy contract for 25 years from Sangamon Solar from a project to be located in south Sangamon County near Chatham and a 125 MW solar capacity and 20MW of energy contract for 20 years from from Lincoln Capital Land for a project being developed in north Sangamon County near Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. These agreements reduce CWLP customer exposure to higher prices that can occur in capacity auctions and energy markets while diversifying the energy mix. These two purchases for renewable energy would represent around 12% of CWLP's current customer load.
