Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bourbonnais, IL (2024 Update)

  • Bourbonnais Solar Installation Cost: $16,867
  • 25-Year Savings: $10,366
  • Payback Period: 18.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bourbonnais

Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Bourbonnais.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Bourbonnais generally cost around 4.The average solar panel system size in Bourbonnais is around 6.4 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $16,867 for a solar installation, or $24,120 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $13,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Bourbonnais find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Bourbonnais that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Bourbonnais

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,710
3 years $-13,398
5 years $-11,086
7 years $-8,773
9 years $-6,461
11 years $-4,149
13 years $-1,836
15 years $476
17 years $2,789
19 years $5,101
21 years $7,413
23 years $9,726
25 years $12,038

Top Solar Installers in Bourbonnais

Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Solar companies offer key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Bourbonnais

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bourbonnais

For many Bourbonnais homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Bourbonnais, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

One of the most significant 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 power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,760 per kilowatt in Bourbonnais.The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Bourbonnais average.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Bourbonnais, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to solar energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating in Bourbonnais, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Bourbonnais are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save 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 $3.91 $16,424 $4,747 19.4 years
8 kW $3.84 $21,477 $6,751 19.0 years
10 kW $3.76 $26,320 $8,965 18.6 years
12 kW $3.68 $30,952 $11,390 18.3 years
14 kW $3.61 $35,374 $14,025 17.9 years
16 kW $3.53 $39,585 $16,871 17.5 years
18 kW $3.46 $43,586 $19,927 17.2 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,376 $23,194 16.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before deciding.
  • Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification 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.
  • Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it’s important to keep an open line of communication with your solar company. Confirm that you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Bourbonnais, IL Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Bourbonnais?

The average cost of solar panels in Bourbonnais is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Are solar panels free in Bourbonnais?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Bourbonnais. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

How much can I save on electricity bills after switching to solar?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $705.70 per year.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.

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.

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