What Ameren Electric Homeowners Need to Know About Solar Net Metering
Net metering for renewable energy Ameren Illinois electric customers will change effective Jan. 1, 2025, because of Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Full retail net metering won't be available to customers interconnecting solar systems to the grid after Dec. 31, 2024.
Technically, Ameren states, "to guarantee utility review prior to the Dec. 31, 2024 deadline, all required documentation, including Witness Testing, must be received by Ameren Illinois no later than 5 p.m. Central Time on Dec. 13, 2024."
Now, this doesn't mean there won't be any solar incentives from the utility to install a solar system. Customers with approved solar systems installed and certified after Dec. 31, 2024, will be eligible to receive energy supply credits for the extra energy they send back to the grid. It just won't be as much as was available with net metering.
Existing Ameren Illinois solar customers will NOT see any changes to their net metering. If you receive net metering benefits before Dec. 31, 2024, for your solar system, you will NOT be affected by the changes in 2025.
So with this type of change, what should Ameren Illinois electric homeowners do if a solar system is of interest to you and you currently don't have any panels installed?