- Ameren Illinois · McLean County · Population 78,861
Solar in Bloomington, Illinois
Solar in Bloomington homeowners on Ameren Illinois are dealing with some of the steepest electricity rate increases in recent Illinois history. We help you compare every available option — and decide what actually makes sense for your McLean County home.
Ameren IL territory
Illinois Shines eligible
Lease · PPA · Loan · Cash · Battery
- What's happening with Bloomington electricity rates
Bloomington's Ameren Bills:
Why They're So Much Higher Now
McLean County homeowners on Ameren Illinois have experienced some of the most dramatic electricity rate increases in recent state history – and the causes are structural, not temporary.
- Summer 2026 Supply Spike
+50%
- In summer 2026, Ameren's electricity supply price jumped roughly 50% — from around 8¢/kWh to about 12¢/kWh — causing typical residential bills in Bloomington to increase by $40–$60/month or more during the summer season.
- MISO Capacity Auction — Root Cause
22x
- The MISO regional grid auction — which sets capacity costs passed directly to Ameren customers — cleared at $666.50/MW-day in 2026, a 22x increase from the prior year's $30/MW-day. Coal plant retirements tightened supply faster than new generation came online.
- ICC Delivery Rate Increases
$357M
- The Illinois Commerce Commission approved a $308.6M delivery rate increase for Ameren in December 2024, followed by a $48.4M grid modernization surcharge in December 2025. These are passed directly to every Ameren customer in McLean County and statewide.
- Current All-In Ameren Rate (2026)
~15.5¢
- Bloomington homeowners on Ameren's default supply are now paying approximately 15.5¢/kWh all-in — up from roughly 8¢/kWh in 2021. That's a 94% increase over five years. Ameren has signaled it intends to file another rate increase in 2026.
- Why this matters for solar: The higher your current electricity rate, the stronger the financial case for solar tends to be — because every kWh your panels produce offsets a more expensive kWh from Ameren. A solar lease or PPA that fixes your rate at ~10¢/kWh saves you significantly more when Ameren is charging 15.5¢ than it did when Ameren was charging 8¢.
- Every option available to Bloomington homeowners
Your Bloomington Energy Options:
Compared Honestly
There’s no single right answer for every Solar in Bloomington home. Here’s what each option actually means — and when each one makes the most sense for central Illinois homeowners.
Solar Lease
A solar company installs panels on your roof. You pay a fixed monthly amount — typically lower than your current Ameren bill. No upfront cost, no system ownership required.
Power Purchase Agreement
You pay per-kWh for the solar energy your panels produce — often below your current Ameren rate. Provides predictable costs without the need to own the system.
Solar Loan
You own the system and finance it over time. Loan payments are often offset by Ameren bill savings — and qualifying systems in Bloomington may be eligible for Illinois Shines SREC income.
Cash Purchase
No monthly payment — the strongest long-term financial return for homeowners who can invest upfront.
Battery Backup
Add home battery storage to your Bloomington home. Keep power on during outages, reduce peak-hour Ameren costs, and maximize solar value under Illinois's current energy policies.
Not Sure Which Option Fits?
Our free Bloomington energy review compares all five options for your specific home and gives you an honest recommendation.
- State program available to Bloomington homeowners
Illinois Shines (SREC-II) in Bloomington & McLean County
Solar in Bloomington is in Ameren Illinois territory—which currently has better Illinois Shines enrollment slot availability than ComEd territory in northern Illinois. This is a meaningful advantage for Bloomington homeowners considering owning solar systems right now.
Fixed-Price SREC Contract
Qualifying Bloomington solar installations receive a 15-year contract for Solar Renewable Energy Credits — a long-term additional income stream on top of your electricity savings. Ameren is required by Illinois law to purchase these SRECs.
Typical SREC Value — Ameren Territory
Illinois Shines SREC income for typical Ameren-territory homeowners with qualifying systems has historically ranged from $10,000+ to well above that over the 15-year contract period, depending on system size and SREC block pricing at enrollment.
Ameren vs ComEd Slot Availability
Ameren territory — including Solar in Bloomington and McLean County — currently has more Illinois Shines enrollment capacity available compared to ComEd territory. For homeowners timing their installation, this is a relevant factor right now.
Ownership Requirement for SRECs
Illinois Shines SRECs go to whoever owns the solar system. Solar in Bloomington homeowners who lease or use a PPA generally do not receive SREC income — the installer retains it. This is one factor to weigh when comparing financing options.
- Designed for Bloomington homeowners
Your Free Bloomington Energy Review — 3 Steps
We built our review process specifically for Ameren customers in central Illinois — including Solar in Bloomington municipal aggregation arrangement, McLean County roof profiles, and current Illinois Shines slot availability.
Submit Your Bloomington Info
Share your address, current Ameren bill (or aggregation bill), and basic home details. Takes 2 minutes. No commitment, no installer contact until you say so. Uploading a recent utility bill helps us run accurate numbers.
- 2 minutes
We Analyze All Options
Our Illinois energy advisors run all five options for your Bloomington address — accounting for current Ameren rates (or aggregation rate), McLean County sun data, current Illinois Shines Ameren territory availability, and your specific goals.
- 1 business day
Written Report Delivered
You receive a written Solar Report — not a verbal pitch — comparing all financing options with your Bloomington-specific numbers, Illinois Shines eligibility status, and a clear recommendation. Including if no option makes sense for your home right now.
- Written report
- Related Resources
Keep Exploring
Illinois Shines
How Illinois Shines SRECs work, what they're worth, and how to enroll before slots fill.
Ameren Solar
Solar guide for Ameren customers in central and southern Illinois.
ComEd Solar
Solar guide for ComEd customers in northern Illinois and the Chicago metro area.
Battery Backup
Home battery storage incentives, honest guidance, and whether battery makes sense for your home.
Ready to see your actual numbers?
Free Illinois Solar Report – personalized to your home, your utility, and your situation.
Solar in Bloomington homeowner questions
- Local solar guidance
Illinois communities we serve
Each city page covers local utility rates, available incentives, savings examples for that area, and city-specific FAQs.
