Monitoring looks offline
Check home internet, inverter status, and the monitoring app before assuming the panels stopped producing. Keep the installer and equipment support contacts with the system records.
Illustrative imageHomeowner Resource Center
Everything to read before and after you go solar.
Free guides for evaluating solar, reading proposals, and handling the questions that show up years after the panels do.
Get a home-specific estimateBefore you signLearn it in
Learn it in
the right order.
Start with whether your home fits, learn how the system works, then compare price, incentives, savings, and financing.
01
Solar Fit Check
Find the questions your home needs answered first.
↗02How Solar Works
Follow energy from the roof to the home and grid.
↗03Solar Cost in Illinois
See current planning ranges and price drivers.
↗04Savings
Understand the assumptions behind a savings model.
↗05Illinois Incentives
Review 2026 state and utility program facts.
↗06Financing Options
Compare cash, loans, and third-party ownership.
↗DIRECT SOLAR PROSTHE 2026
ILLINOIS
HOMEOWNER'S
SOLAR GUIDEUpdated September 2026
ILLINOIS
HOMEOWNER'S
SOLAR GUIDEUpdated September 2026
Free download
The Illinois Solar Guide.
Eight pages covering solar fit, system basics, Illinois costs, current incentives, financing options, and a proposal review checklist, everything for the first conversation.
Download the guide
Illinois Solar BlogCurrent articles on
Current articles on
Illinois solar.
Practical breakdowns of solar design, Illinois programs, proposal math, and the questions homeowners actually bring to the table.
Read the blogAfter you signWhat comes up
What comes up
after installation.
Six situations most solar owners eventually hit, and what to do when they happen.
Reading the new bill
Solar can reduce the energy portion of a bill, but fixed charges, taxes, credits, and imported electricity can remain. Compare billing periods and exported energy, not just the balance.
Selling the home
Keep ownership or financing documents, warranties, permits, interconnection approval, production records, and any transfer instructions together for the next owner.
Roof work later
Roof replacement can require solar removal and reinstallation. Confirm who is authorized to do the work, the price, scheduling, and warranty implications before hiring a roofer.
Power outage behavior
Most grid-tied solar shuts down during an outage for worker safety. Backup power generally requires compatible battery equipment and a correctly designed protected-load setup.
Who to call
Start with the issue: proposal and support questions go to DSP; installation workmanship goes to the licensed installation partner; metering and grid billing go to the utility.
Who does whatThree parties,
Three parties,
three jobs.
Your Disclosure Form and agreement control the exact responsibilities. Direct Solar is registered as Illinois Shines Designee D5926 for Disclosure Form and Marketing/Sales activity under Approved Vendors Tron Solar, LLC and Sunrun Installation Services Inc. The project documents identify the Approved Vendor and installation partner assigned to your project.
Direct Solar Pros
Education, consultation, system planning, proposal comparison, communication, and homeowner support.
Approved Vendor and installation partner
The project documents identify the entities responsible for the Illinois Shines application, site assessment, engineering, permits, installation, inspections, and commissioning.
Electric utility
Metering, interconnection approval, grid billing, rate plans, outages, and utility-administered rebates. The utility is not affiliated with or endorsing Direct Solar Pros.
Homeowner resources
Common questions about using these resources.
What to bring, what to keep, and where education ends and professional advice begins.
Browse every FAQDirect Solar Pros handles education, consultation, system planning, proposal review, and homeowner support. Physical installation is completed by a licensed installation partner identified in the project documents.