Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bensenville, IL (2024 Update)
- Bensenville Solar Installation Cost: $17,005
- 25-Year Savings: $11,899
- Payback Period: 18.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bensenville
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Bensenville.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Bensenville generally cost around 4.The average Bensenville homeowner needs a 6.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,005 with the federal tax credit, or $24,317 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and the cost of going solar for you may look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with.Even with the high initial cost, the average Bensenville homeowner can save around $13,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Bensenville for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Bensenville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,849 |
| 3 years | $-13,537 |
| 5 years | $-11,224 |
| 7 years | $-8,912 |
| 9 years | $-6,600 |
| 11 years | $-4,287 |
| 13 years | $-1,975 |
| 15 years | $337 |
| 17 years | $2,650 |
| 19 years | $4,962 |
| 21 years | $7,274 |
| 23 years | $9,587 |
| 25 years | $11,899 |
Top Solar Installers in Bensenville
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Bensenville, optimizing your ROI.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Bensenville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bensenville
For many Bensenville homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Bensenville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,760. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Bensenville average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Bensenville to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Bensenville, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.91 | $16,424 | $4,575 | 19.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $6,521 | 19.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $8,677 | 18.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $11,044 | 18.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $13,622 | 18.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $16,410 | 17.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $19,409 | 17.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $22,618 | 16.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need to get plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a quality company.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Bensenville, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bensenville?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Bensenville?
A solar panel system isn’t free in Bensenville, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $699.94 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Bensenville?
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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having 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.