Solar Panel Cost Guide in Braidwood, IL (Mar 2023)
- Braidwood Solar Installation Cost: $12,326
- 25-Year Savings: $10,286
- Payback Period: 13.6 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Braidwood
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Braidwood.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Braidwood, the average cost of solar panels is 2.73 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Braidwood is around 6.5 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,326 for a solar installation, or $17,626 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Braidwood homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Despite the large upfront cost, the average Braidwood homeowner can save around $13,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Braidwood for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Braidwood
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,421 |
| 3 years | $-9,613 |
| 5 years | $-7,804 |
| 7 years | $-5,995 |
| 9 years | $-4,186 |
| 11 years | $-2,377 |
| 13 years | $-568 |
| 15 years | $1,241 |
| 17 years | $3,050 |
| 19 years | $4,859 |
| 21 years | $6,668 |
| 23 years | $8,477 |
| 25 years | $10,286 |
Top Solar Installers in Braidwood
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra labor and know-how. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar installers provide can be helpful as well, especially if you aren't sure what type of solar equipment you need.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. 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 Braidwood
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Braidwood
For many Braidwood homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Braidwood, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable option because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you choose will play a role in your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and choose a company that provides the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within 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 | $9,121 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $12,467 | 13.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $15,965 | 13.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $19,617 | 13.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $23,422 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $27,379 | 12.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $31,490 | 12.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $35,753 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installer you choose significantly affects your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer various brands and kinds of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you're considering has it.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
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 Braidwood, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Braidwood?
The average cost of solar panels in Braidwood is about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the model 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?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will installing solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How long do solar panels last in Braidwood?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level 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.