Solar Panel Cost Guide in Burnham, IL (Jan 2023)
- Burnham Solar Installation Cost: $12,211
- 25-Year Savings: $10,400
- Payback Period: 13.5 Years
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Updated January 20, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Burnham
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Burnham.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Burnham is $3 per watt. Since a 6.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Burnham, the average price of going solar will be about $12,211 before claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Burnham can save around $13,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
To get a free estimate from a top solar installer in Burnham, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Burnham
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,307 |
| 3 years | $-9,498 |
| 5 years | $-7,689 |
| 7 years | $-5,880 |
| 9 years | $-4,071 |
| 11 years | $-2,262 |
| 13 years | $-453 |
| 15 years | $1,356 |
| 17 years | $3,165 |
| 19 years | $4,974 |
| 21 years | $6,783 |
| 23 years | $8,592 |
| 25 years | $10,400 |
Top Solar Installers in Burnham
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. The expertise that solar installers offer can be valuable as well, especially if you aren't sure what brand of solar equipment you need.
If you'd like to start using solar energy but still aren't sure which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
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 Burnham
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Burnham
For many Burnham homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Burnham, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Burnham, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,730 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand and kind of equipment you get 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. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable option because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar system can affect your pricing. Burnham's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price 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 find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you're looking for 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 | $9,307 | 14.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $12,715 | 13.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $16,276 | 13.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $19,990 | 13.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $23,856 | 13.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $27,876 | 12.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $32,048 | 12.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $36,374 | 12.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- 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.
- 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: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want to install plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
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 Burnham, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Burnham?
The average cost of solar panels in Burnham 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 things such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Burnham?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Burnham is currently $126,900, so you can expect a value of about $5,203 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Burnham is a fruitful investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.