Opt Out of Electric Aggregation by June 10, 2025 to Avoid Potential Loss of Credits
This is an urgent public service announcement for all residential and commercial solar system owners in Central Illinois that are currently enrolled in the net metering program through Ameren. To ensure the uninterrupted continuation of your net metering benefits and to safeguard your valuable accumulated energy credits, it is absolutely critical that you opt out of your municipality’s Electric Supply Aggregation program before the looming deadline. Failure to do so could result in significant disruptions to your net metering benefits, potentially leading to the irreversible loss of credits during that time.
Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. When your solar panels generate more electricity than your home or business consumes, that excess power is sent back to the grid, and you receive credits on your utility bill. This program is fundamental for making solar energy economically viable and encourages the adoption of clean, renewable power.
Municipal aggregation contracts are the result of a concerted effort by a community to purchase electricity in bulk on behalf of its residents and businesses. While often intended to secure lower rates through collective bargaining, enrollment in an aggregation program with a third-party supplier can, in certain circumstances, conflict with or undermine the benefits of net metering, especially with suppliers unfamiliar with or unwilling to properly administer net metering credits. In this specific case, staying with Ameren Illinois’s Basic Generation Service (BGS) ensures seamless integration with your net metering agreement.
For net metering participants, opting out of your community’s aggregation program is not just a recommendation – it’s a necessity to prevent potential complications and financial losses related to your utility bill credits. Your ability to continue banking and utilizing these credits is directly tied to your electric supply provider. Maintaining your service directly with Ameren Illinois ensures your net metering agreement remains intact and fully functional.
On the other hand, Ameren customers who do not participate in the net metering program are encouraged to explore Electric Supply Choice options and may follow the same steps to opt out if desired.
The majority of Central Illinois has contracted with Homefield Energy. Luckily, they offer multiple convenient methods for you to opt out of their aggregation program. You will need to verify your account by providing either your Ameren account number or the personal opt-out code provided on the Community Opt Out Reply Form included with the letter you should have received in May 2025.
It is imperative to complete one of these opt-out procedures by June 10th, 2025, to avoid any interruption in your net metering benefits.
If you are unsure whether your municipality has an aggregation contract with a third-party supplier, or if you do not have the opt-out letter, you can easily check the official list of Municipal Aggregation Communities.
Recent communications from Ameren have indicated an anticipated increase in summer supply pricing, which is projected to rise by 18-22%. This is primarily due to higher energy demand during peak months. A significant component of your electric supply costs is “capacity pricing,” which reflects the cost of ensuring there’s enough generation capacity available to meet demand. It’s important to understand that Ameren Illinois does not add any markup to the electric supply pricing. This means that when you are on Ameren’s Basic Generation Service (BGS) rate, you are paying the same wholesale rates that Ameren pays for electricity.
Currently, Ameren’s Basic Generation Service BGS rate is set at $0.12180 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and is expected to remain at this rate through September 2025. Following this period, the BGS rate is projected to decrease to approximately $0.08 per kWh. In contrast, Homefield Energy is reportedly locking customers into a rate of $0.12937 per kWh through the end of the year. While aggregation programs aim for competitive pricing, in this scenario, Ameren’s expected rates for the latter part of the year appear more favorable, particularly for net metering participants.
We cannot stress enough the urgency of this situation. The June 10th deadline is fast approaching. Taking action now will safeguard your solar investment, ensure your net metering credits are preserved, and potentially save you money on your future electricity bills.
As always, if you have any questions or require assistance with the opt-out process, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly at (309) 323-8260. Every member of the Sun Collectors team is dedicated to helping our community members maintain their energy independence and maximize the benefits of their solar installations.
