Page 6 Fall Home Improvement 2026 Lincoln Daily News much energy as the home used, this leftover energy would be added at that time, lowering the bill further. At the end of the year, however, Ameren keeps all extra generated power, so the credits are on a “use it or lose it” policy. LDN asked Pals how expensive it is to get solar panels installed? Pals said that the amount can range between $250 and $500 per month for most homeowners. This is going to depend largely on the size of the system, however. Pals was sure to share that Illinois has a financial incentive program called Illinois Shines. This program helps pay monthly solar panel payments over seven years. Pals said that, should a homeowner choose to put some or all their savings on electricity into their monthly bill, that amount would go down sooner and make the system theirs. Pals mentioned that there have been a lot of companies going door-to-door, and not all of them are going to be able to deliver the way his company can. He said he has seen other solar companies go bankrupt in the 20 years Tick Tock has been in business. This sometimes leaves customers on what he called a “stranded system,” meaning that it is no longer supported due to the installation company going out of business. With Tick Tock Energy, Pals shared that they have plans to be around for many more years to come. Toward the end of the interview, Pals spoke on the divisive nature of solar panels in the current culture. He said that he understands why people are opposed to large solar farms that are built on farmland. He encouraged people to think that every solar panel on a home is one less solar panel that would be placed on farmland. Pals encouraged people to see solar panels as a long-term investment in their home. Electricity prices are not expected to start going down in the near future. According to Reuters, the demand is expected to go up 1.2 percent this year and 3.3 percent next year. They have also reported that prices are expected to rise 5.1 percent this year and 2.4 percent next year. It stands to reason that people would want a way to mitigate those costs. Solar, while a big investment, could be a solution to that problem. In addition to creating your own energy and lowering your monthly energy bill, solar panels could potentially increase the value of your home. If solar is something you are considering, just make sure you go with a long-standing company that has a successful track record, such as Tick Tock Energy. [Matt Boutcher] Sources: What Living Through the Hottest July Ever Looked Like Across the U.S. Price to Compare - Ameren Illinois US consumers face rising electricity prices despite clean power savings
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