Sales Tax Exemption for Wind, Solar, and Storage - High Impact Business
Administered by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
This program does not apply to homeowners; it is designed for businesses developing utility-scale wind, solar, and battery storage facilities. Residential solar installations do not qualify.
If you are developing a utility-scale wind facility (≥500 kW), solar facility (≥5 MW), or battery storage facility (≥20 MW/40 MWh), your client may qualify for a full exemption on state sales tax (6.25%) plus local sales taxes (up to 3.5%) for building materials. The developer must apply to DCEO for High Impact Business designation before any project commencement or material purchases; DCEO responds within 30 days. Wind Energy Businesses must comply with the Prevailing Wage Act for construction labor as a condition of receiving tax benefits.
The High Impact Business Wind Energy / Solar / Storage track provides full sales tax exemption on building materials for qualifying large-scale renewable facilities: wind (≥500 kW, new or expanded, in service since 7/1/2009), utility-scale solar (≥5 MW, in service since 7/1/2021 per the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act), and battery storage (≥20 MW capacity, ≥40 MWh energy per Public Act 103-1066). Applicants apply to DCEO year-round; DCEO responds within 30 days and issues designation once requirements are met. Prevailing wage compliance is mandatory for wind projects. Facilities must be located outside Enterprise Zones and at designated Illinois locations.
Program details
- Program ID
- 3543
- Effective
- 7/1/2009
- Last updated
- 9/12/2025
Eligibility
- Sectors
- commercial
- Technologies
- solar photovoltaics wind (all)
Program summary
A wind power facility must be new or an expansion of an existing facility and placed in service on or after July 1, 2009. It must generate electricity using wind turbines that have a capacity of 500 kilowatts or greater. The associated transmission lines, substations, and related equipment are included in the definition of a wind power facility.
With the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021, utility-scale solar facilities are also eligible for this exemption. Solar facilities must be greater than 5 MW in nameplate capacity and be placed in service on or after July 1, 2021 . The solar facility includes any associated energy storage.
With the passage of Public Act 103-1066, new battery energy storage solution facilities are also eligible for this exemption. Battery storage facilities must have a capacity of not less than 20 MW and storage capability of not less than 40 MWh of energy.
Other HIB Tax Incentives
Note that while other qualifying HIBs may be eligible for additional tax incentives including an investment tax credit, an exemption from state gas and electric tax, and a state sales tax exemption on personal property used or consumed in the manufacturing process or in the operation of a pollution control facility, a Wind Energy / High Impact Business only qualifies for the sales tax exemption on building materials.
Claiming the ExemptionDevelopers should apply and be certified for HIB designation before commencement of the project, including purchase of building material. Here is a link to the Illinois Department of Revenue rules outlining the process for building material sales tax exemption.
A wind power facility must apply to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for designation as Wind Energy Business within the High Impact Business Program. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Once an application is received, DCEO will respond within 30 days. Required application information is available in the administrative code (14 Ill. Adm. Code, Part 520.603).
Once designation is granted, the business will be eligible for the sales tax benefits. As a condition of designation (and to receive the tax benefits), a Wind Energy Business will be required to comply with the Prevailing Wage Act for construction labor.*Locating within an Enterprise Zone offers businesses a different package of incentives and makes them ineligible for designation as a High Impact Business.
Contact & resources
- Contact email
- Ben.Denney@illinois.gov
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
