Solar Panel Cost Guide in Barrington Hills, IL (2023 Update)
- Barrington Hills Solar Installation Cost: $12,307
- 25-Year Savings: $10,305
- Payback Period: 13.6 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Barrington Hills
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Barrington Hills.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Barrington Hills it's 2.73 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 6.4-kW system would cost about $12,307 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can be higher or lower than the average in Barrington Hills based on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Barrington Hills homeowner can save about $13,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar panel company in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Barrington Hills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,402 |
| 3 years | $-9,593 |
| 5 years | $-7,784 |
| 7 years | $-5,976 |
| 9 years | $-4,167 |
| 11 years | $-2,358 |
| 13 years | $-549 |
| 15 years | $1,260 |
| 17 years | $3,069 |
| 19 years | $4,878 |
| 21 years | $6,687 |
| 23 years | $8,496 |
| 25 years | $10,305 |
Top Solar Installers in Barrington Hills
DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Using a solar panel installer can make converting to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar companies offer can be invaluable as well, especially if you don't quite know what brand of solar equipment you need.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 Barrington Hills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Barrington Hills
For many Barrington Hills homeowners, the decision to install solar panels rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Barrington Hills, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that considerably influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,730 per kilowatt in Barrington Hills. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that are more efficient tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Barrington Hills to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest. It's a good idea to include the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you choose to install your solar system can impact the cost. Barrington Hills' solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Barrington Hills know more about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $9,141 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $12,493 | 13.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $15,999 | 13.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $19,657 | 13.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $23,469 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $27,433 | 12.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $31,550 | 12.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $35,820 | 12.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you'd like to get plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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 Barrington Hills, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Barrington Hills?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is it worth going solar in Barrington Hills?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Barrington Hills?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.