Solar Panel Cost Guide in Auburn, IL (2023 Update)
- Auburn Solar Installation Cost: $11,944
- 25-Year Savings: $12,958
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Auburn
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in Auburn.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Auburn is 2.73 per watt. Since a 6.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Auburn, the average price of going solar will be about $11,944 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
The true price you pay can be above or below the average in Auburn based on a few factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. With average savings of about $15,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Auburn find going solar can pay off big.
To get a free estimate from a highly rated solar installation company in Auburn, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Auburn
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,948 |
| 3 years | $-8,956 |
| 5 years | $-6,963 |
| 7 years | $-4,971 |
| 9 years | $-2,979 |
| 11 years | $-987 |
| 13 years | $1,005 |
| 15 years | $2,997 |
| 17 years | $4,990 |
| 19 years | $6,982 |
| 21 years | $8,974 |
| 23 years | $10,966 |
| 25 years | $12,958 |
Top Solar Installers in Auburn
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be hard. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long term because of their warranties, repair services and expert design.
If you'd like to start using solar energy but still aren't sure which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Auburn
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Auburn
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in Auburn: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,730 per kilowatt in Auburn. The type of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Auburn offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose to handle your switch to clean energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Auburn, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fit into your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.84 | $11,925 | $11,965 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $16,260 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $20,707 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $25,307 | 11.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $30,060 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $34,965 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $40,024 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $45,235 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar energy system, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the overall cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Auburn, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Auburn?
The average cost of solar panels in Auburn is about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Auburn?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.