In short: Peoria homes are on Ameren Illinois, whose customers lost about 224 minutes of power each in 2024, or 121 without major storms, longer than in ComEd’s Chicago area (EIA). Peoria County’s top risks are cold waves, ice storms, hail and wind. Ameren pays rebates for solar and batteries, with rate conditions attached.
This page covers what is specific to the Peoria area: Ameren Illinois’ rules, outage record, local permits and charging. For statewide rules, including the 2025 net metering change and Illinois Shines, see our Illinois energy guide.
Peoria at a glance
- Ameren Illinois: about 15.3¢ per kWh on average in 2024 for homes buying power from Ameren. Outages: 224 minutes per customer with major events, 121 without; 1.13 interruptions a year (EIA-861, 2024).
- Supplier choice: about half of Ameren Illinois households, some 540,000, bought their power supply from another company in 2024; Ameren still delivered it (EIA-861).
- Co-ops nearby: Spoon River Electric Cooperative serves parts of Peoria County; Corn Belt Energy and Menard Electric serve parts of Tazewell County (EIA-861).
- Sun: about 4.1 kWh per square meter per day (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020). Our rough estimate: about 1,190 kWh a year per kW of panels, roughly 6% more than Chicago.
- Top hazards: Peoria County is “very high” for cold waves and “relatively high” for hail, ice storms, lightning, strong wind, tornadoes and winter weather (FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025).
- Public charging: 55 ports at 20 locations in Peoria (33 Level 2, 22 DC fast) and 50 more across the river in East Peoria (AFDC, October 3, 2026).
Your utility and what it means
- Ameren Illinois, solar: systems connected since 2025 get export credits on the supply part of the bill only. Ameren’s smart inverter rebate pays $300 per kW of inverter size, so an 8 kW inverter brings $2,400. Homes with pre-2025 full net metering lose it if they take this rebate (Citizens Utility Board, March 2026). On Ameren’s hourly supply options, exports are valued at the hourly market price.
- Ameren Illinois, batteries: $300 per kWh for a battery paired with solar. The catch: you must choose Peak Time Rewards, Real Time Pricing or Power Smart Pricing, and that choice binds you and every later resident at the address. Pre-2025 solar owners keep full net metering if they take only the battery rebate (CUB, March 2026). Ameren’s virtual power plant tariff is approved, with a start date not yet set (CUB, September 2026), so confirm the current battery rules with Ameren before you sign.
- Co-op members: Spoon River, Corn Belt and Menard set their own net metering rules, and Ameren’s rebates do not apply. Ask your co-op first.
Backup power in Peoria
An Ameren Illinois customer averaged about 3.7 hours without power in 2024 and two hours even in a year without the big storms counted, and about one interruption a year (EIA). That is more than the typical ComEd customer up north, so backup deserves a closer look in Peoria. The local mix of risks, ice storms and winter weather plus hail, wind and tornadoes, means outages can come in January or in June.
Match the tool to the job. For a two-hour outage, a portable power station keeps the fridge cold, the Wi-Fi up and a CPAP machine running. For a winter outage, the furnace blower is the load that matters; a home battery or a generator with a transfer switch can carry it. A natural gas standby generator is the choice for multi-day storms. Read backup power options and size it with the battery backup calculator or the generator sizing tool.
Safety first: the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says generators belong outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house, exhaust pointed away from windows, doors and vents, never in a garage or basement. Put battery-backed carbon monoxide alarms on every level. Connecting to house wiring needs a transfer switch or interlock installed by a licensed electrician with a permit; see generator installation.
Solar in Peoria
Peoria gets more sun than the Chicago area: about 1,190 kWh a year per kW of panels by our rough estimate, more on a south-facing tilted roof. Solar is also more common on Ameren’s lines: EIA counted 31,572 net-metered home systems in 2024, about 3% of Ameren Illinois households, against under 2% at ComEd. Exports now earn only the supply credit, so size the system to your own use. Start with the solar potential tool and compare quotes in the solar savings calculator.
If you buy supply from a retail supplier, as half of Ameren’s households do, ask the supplier how it credits solar exports before you sign either contract. Installation steps, permits and how to check an installer are in solar installation; the credit rules are in how net metering works.
Batteries in Peoria
With longer outages than the state’s north, a battery’s backup value counts for more here. The Ameren rebate can cover a large share of the cost, but think about the rate choice: Peak Time Rewards pays bill credits for cutting use at peak times and adds no cost, while Real Time and Power Smart Pricing charge hourly market prices (Power Smart Pricing adds a $2.25 monthly fee). Because the choice stays with the house, tell a future buyer. A standalone battery rebate is still in development (CUB, September 2026). See home battery installation and home battery cost.
EV charging in Peoria
The Peoria area has about 105 public ports between Peoria and East Peoria, including 46 DC fast ports, plus 9 fast ports in Pekin (AFDC, October 3, 2026). Most charging still happens at home. On one of Ameren’s hourly options you pay the hourly market price, so when you charge matters; ask Ameren about EV programs, which we have not confirmed. A Level 2 charger needs a licensed electrician and an electrical permit. See EV charger installation and the EV charging cost calculator.
Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Peoria: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Permits and inspections
- City of Peoria: permits for work on private property come from the Community Development Department’s Building Safety division; see also Do I need a permit?
- Unincorporated Peoria County: Peoria County Planning and Zoning.
- East Peoria, Pekin and other towns: your own city hall issues building and electrical permits.
- Utility approval: Ameren or your co-op must approve solar and battery interconnection; installers usually file it. Check HOA rules in writing too.
Cities we cover
- Peoria
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Peoria energy FAQ
Are power outages longer in Peoria than in Chicago?
On average, yes. In 2024 Ameren Illinois customers lost about 224 minutes of power each, 121 without major events, while ComEd customers lost 132 and 36 (EIA). These are utility-wide averages, not street-level figures, but they suggest backup power is worth more careful planning in central Illinois.
What does Ameren Illinois pay for solar and batteries?
A one-time $300 per kW of inverter size for solar with a smart inverter, and $300 per kWh for a battery paired with solar. The battery rebate requires Peak Time Rewards, Real Time Pricing or Power Smart Pricing, a choice that stays with the address (Citizens Utility Board, March 2026). Confirm current terms with Ameren.
Can I choose my electricity supplier in Peoria?
Yes. Ameren Illinois delivers the power, but you can buy the supply from Ameren or a licensed retail supplier; about half of Ameren’s households used a supplier in 2024 (EIA). If you have or plan solar, ask any supplier how it credits exports, because supplier contracts set that part.
Who issues solar and generator permits in Peoria?
Inside the city, the Community Development Department’s Building Safety division. In unincorporated areas, Peoria County Planning and Zoning. Other towns, such as East Peoria and Pekin, issue their own. The electrical work should be done by a licensed electrician, and gas lines for a standby generator by a licensed plumber or gas fitter where required.
Sources
Utilities, prices, outages, supplier customers and solar counts: U.S. Energy Information Administration, EIA-861 data for 2024. Ameren Illinois rebates and rate options: Citizens Utility Board fact sheet (March 2026) and program update (September 2026); Ameren’s own site could not be reached on October 3, 2026. City of Peoria and Peoria County permit offices. Sun: NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020. Hazards: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Charging: Alternative Fuels Data Center, October 3, 2026. Generator safety: CPSC.