Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bradley, IL (2023 Update)
- Bradley Solar Installation Cost: $12,250
- 25-Year Savings: $10,362
- Payback Period: 13.5 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bradley
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Bradley.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Bradley it's 2.73 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Bradley, most homeowners require a 6.4-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $12,250, or $17,518 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you may differ based on your specific situation and what company you go with. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $13,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bradley
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,345 |
| 3 years | $-9,536 |
| 5 years | $-7,727 |
| 7 years | $-5,918 |
| 9 years | $-4,109 |
| 11 years | $-2,300 |
| 13 years | $-491 |
| 15 years | $1,318 |
| 17 years | $3,126 |
| 19 years | $4,935 |
| 21 years | $6,744 |
| 23 years | $8,553 |
| 25 years | $10,362 |
Top Solar Installers in Bradley
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Plus, if you're not certain what kind of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Bradley
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bradley
The cost of installing a solar system in Bradley can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have higher efficiency or power generation need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,730. The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Bradley, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it's crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you choose will impact your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $9,246 | 14.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $12,634 | 13.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $16,175 | 13.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $19,869 | 13.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $23,715 | 13.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $27,715 | 12.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $31,867 | 12.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $36,172 | 12.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in Bradley, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you choose.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Bradley, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bradley?
The average cost of solar panels in Bradley 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 like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Bradley?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future electricity bills.
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.