Claire WhitakerBy Claire Whitaker

Updated November 2026

The ComEd net metering deadline is the cutoff for getting your solar system interconnected and credited under the rules that apply to your account. Miss the window and you can end up on a different billing arrangement, or lose credits you expected to carry forward. This guide explains how to check where you stand, what paperwork matters, and how to keep your account on track.

Understand What the Deadline Actually Covers

The comed net metering deadline is not a single date printed on a calendar. It usually refers to the point at which your system must be approved, interconnected and recorded in ComEd’s system so that exported energy is credited under net metering. Program rules, including changes tied to Illinois legislation, can shift those dates, so treat any date you find online as something to confirm with ComEd. For how the credit itself works once you are enrolled, see ComEd Net Metering Program: How It Works and How to Get Credited.

Step-by-Step: Confirm Your Status Before the Cutoff

  1. Locate your interconnection application number and the date it was submitted.
  2. Check your ComEd account for the status of the interconnection and whether your system is listed as an active generator.
  3. Ask your installer for written confirmation of the permit approval and the date the system was inspected.
  4. Verify that your meter has been changed to a bidirectional meter, if your utility requires one. Until that swap happens, exported power may not be credited.
  5. Save every confirmation email, inspection report and utility letter in one folder.

How Timing Affects Your Credits and Billing

Your bill is built from the energy you import from the grid minus the energy you export, and the timing of your interconnection decides which billing period those exports count toward. A system that goes live a few days late can shift a full month of production into the wrong cycle. A comparison of billing outcomes can help you see the difference; ComEd Net Metering Bill Example: Which Is Better for Your Home? (2026) walks through a worked example.

Stage What to Confirm Risk if Missed
Application submitted Application number and date on file Queue position and deadline eligibility unclear
Installation and inspection Signed inspection report System not approved to export
Meter change and interconnection Utility confirmation of active generator Exports not credited

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming the installer handled every utility filing without checking.
  • Energizing the system before the utility has approved interconnection.
  • Ignoring letters from ComEd that request additional documents.
  • Relying on an old date from a forum post instead of the current utility notice.
  • Waiting until the final month to ask about meter scheduling, which can take weeks.

FAQ

Can I still get net metering after the deadline passes?

It depends on the rules in effect for your project and whether your system was approved earlier. Contact ComEd in writing to ask how your specific application is treated.

How do I find my interconnection application date?

Check your installer’s paperwork and the confirmation emails sent when the application was filed. ComEd account messages may also list it.

Should I hire someone to handle the deadline paperwork?

Many homeowners use their installer or a licensed electrician for filings. If your timeline is tight or your application has stalled, consult a professional and get the advice in writing.

Conclusion

Knowing the comed net metering deadline gives you time to fix problems before they cost you credits. Confirm your application status, meter change and inspection early, and keep every document in one place. If anything is unclear, ask ComEd directly and get the answer in writing.

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Claire Whitaker

About Claire Whitaker

Claire Whitaker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our home solar guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.