Illinois's Energy Quarterback
for Commercial Properties
SPM does not quote panels. We build 30-year energy strategies: solar, battery, demand management, HVAC, ComEd Energy Efficiency Programs, and full incentive coordination.
We verify what is real, identify what is missing, and give you and your banker a plan you can actually rely on.
- 30% Federal ITC
- Illinois Shines / SRECs
- ComEd EEP Rebates
- Banker & CPA Coordination
30%
Federal ITC
100%
Bonus Depreciation
$0 Down
C-PACE / Bank Financing
25 yrs
Panel Warranty
The Commercial Difference
Commercial Solar Is Not Residential Solar With a Bigger Number
Demand charges, load profiles, interconnection complexity, and tax structure require a different analysis and a different kind of advisor.
We read the actual bill
Demand charges, rate class, service voltage, meter count: we verify everything before any design begins.
We evaluate batteries by default
Not when you ask. For every commercial project, SPM analyzes whether battery storage makes financial and operational sense.
We look at ComEd EEP first
Reducing your load through efficiency upgrades before sizing solar often makes the solar system smaller, cheaper, and more effective.
We separate guaranteed from estimated
Utility savings are guaranteed. Tax incentives depend on your tax position. We never bundle them into a single number your banker has to untangle.
We work with your CPA and banker
SPM provides documentation your lender and tax counsel need. We help them get comfortable, not just you.
We identify risk before you sign
Interconnection complexity, roof condition, change-order exposure, and permit timelines are disclosed upfront, not discovered after contract.
Our Process
How SPM Approaches Commercial Projects
Verify the actual numbers
We review 12 months of bills, confirm all meter numbers, and request 15-minute interval data. We don't size a system from assumptions.
Analyze demand, not just usage
Your demand charges may represent 20 to 40% of your total bill. We model whether solar, battery, or both reduce that number, and by how much.
Evaluate the full efficiency stack
HVAC, lighting, controls, windows, and refrigeration upgrades reduce your load before we size the solar system. Smaller systems cost less and perform better.
Build two solar cases
A solar-only option and a solar-plus-battery option. Both include honest limitations, not just upsides. You and your banker see the real numbers.
Coordinate incentives accurately
ITC, Illinois Shines/SRECs, ComEd EEP rebates, depreciation, and Section 179 are modeled separately from guaranteed utility savings. We never bundle them into a single "savings" number.
Handle interconnection and permits
We manage ComEd interconnection, municipal permits, and utility coordination start to finish. No surprises at the end of the project.
The Full Stack
Every Tool in the Energy Strategy
Commercial Solar
Custom-sized systems based on your actual load profile and demand data, not roof space alone.
Battery Storage
Demand charge management, critical-load backup, and interconnection flexibility. Evaluated on every project.
HVAC Upgrades
RTU replacement, heat pumps, demand-controlled ventilation. ComEd HVAC incentives available.
ComEd EEP
Standard, HVAC, and Custom Incentive pathways for lighting, controls, motors, refrigeration, and more.
Energy-Efficient Windows
Reduce HVAC load and qualify for potential ComEd custom incentives on commercial envelope upgrades.
ITC & Incentive Coordination
ITC documentation, Illinois Shines/SREC modeling, depreciation schedules, and CPA/banker coordination.
A commercial operation already running on it
$20 a month, year in, year out. You sized it up right for our usage and it has come out just right every year.
Scott, Friedstead Farms, a working farm in Morris, running on solar since 2021
Friedstead is an agricultural business, and the work is the same as any commercial site: a ground mount sized against real load data, built once and left to run.
Joliet, IL
What We Check Before We Quote a Joliet Business
We serve Joliet's commercial and industrial properties across the 60432-60436 zip codes, and every quote starts with the same local checks.
Permitting
Joliet permits go through the City of Joliet's Building Inspectional Services Division. We file it and handle the ComEd interconnection.
Historic districts
Older Joliet properties, including buildings near the East Side Historic District and the Cathedral Area, can face extra exterior review. We confirm status before finalizing the layout.
Real payback numbers
We model your actual interval load data against the 30% federal ITC, bonus depreciation, and ComEd EEP rebates before you sign anything.
Aurora, IL
Commercial Solar Installation in Aurora, IL
Aurora runs one of the slower, more document-heavy commercial solar permit processes in Kane County. We plan for it before we quote your commercial solar panels.
Permitting timeline
Aurora's solar permit review commonly runs around 180 days. We build that lead time into the project schedule up front rather than letting it surprise you mid-build.
Stamped drawings, first pass
Aurora requires stamped electrical drawings and a structural analysis from a design professional. Incomplete submissions are the most common cause of the resubmission delays other installers run into.
Real payback numbers
We model your actual interval load data against the 30% federal ITC, bonus depreciation, and ComEd EEP rebates before you sign anything.
FAQ
Commercial Questions
How is commercial solar different from residential?
Commercial projects involve demand charges, which residential bills do not. A solar system that reduces kWh but not peak demand may save less than expected. SPM analyzes 15-minute interval data to understand your actual load profile before sizing any system.
Should my business consider battery storage with solar?
Often yes. Batteries can reduce demand charges, protect critical loads during outages, and add flexibility if ComEd limits export. SPM evaluates battery storage for every commercial project, not just when the customer asks.
What is the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit for commercial solar?
The ITC allows businesses to deduct 30% of the solar system cost from federal taxes. For a $500,000 system, that is $150,000 off your tax bill (not just a deduction). The credit is still available: commercial projects generally need to be placed in service by December 31, 2027 to claim the full 30%, and starting construction sooner (safe harbor) helps lock in eligibility. SPM helps you document the project for ITC eligibility and coordinates with your CPA on depreciation and Section 179 treatment.
What are ComEd commercial rebates?
ComEd's Energy Efficiency Program offers rebates for commercial HVAC, lighting, controls, motors, refrigeration, and windows through Standard, HVAC, and Custom Incentive pathways. SPM reviews every commercial project for EEP eligibility before finalizing solar sizing. Reducing your load first often makes the solar system smaller and more cost-effective.
How does SPM handle commercial interconnection?
Commercial interconnection is more complex than residential. It involves ComEd distribution engineering review, potential transformer upgrades, line-side vs. load-side decisions, and may require an interconnection agreement. SPM reviews your service equipment and submits the interconnection application as part of the project scope.
Does SPM work with our banker and CPA?
Yes. SPM provides clear documentation separating guaranteed utility savings from estimated incentives, so your banker can underwrite the project with confidence. We coordinate with your CPA on ITC, depreciation, Section 179, and 179D treatment. We do not replace your tax counsel, but we make their job easier.
Related Reading
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We will review your bills, identify every incentive, and give you a plan your banker and CPA can actually use.
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