Solar Panel Cost Guide in Burr Ridge, IL (Mar 2023)
- Burr Ridge Solar Installation Cost: $12,345
- 25-Year Savings: $10,267
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Burr Ridge
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Burr Ridge.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Burr Ridge it's 2.73 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Burr Ridge is around 6.5 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,345 for a solar installation, or $17,653 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and the cost of going solar for you will look different based on your energy needs and what company you go with. Even with the high initial cost, the average Burr Ridge homeowner can save around $13,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Burr Ridge
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,441 |
| 3 years | $-9,632 |
| 5 years | $-7,823 |
| 7 years | $-6,014 |
| 9 years | $-4,205 |
| 11 years | $-2,396 |
| 13 years | $-587 |
| 15 years | $1,222 |
| 17 years | $3,031 |
| 19 years | $4,840 |
| 21 years | $6,649 |
| 23 years | $8,458 |
| 25 years | $10,267 |
Top Solar Installers in Burr Ridge
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to use a solar installer since installing a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. Solar warranties and repairs are usually included in the cost of installation when you hire a solar contractor too, which can save you more money over time.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. 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 Burr Ridge
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Burr Ridge
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in Burr Ridge: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The brand and kind 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 increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a popular route because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it's crucial to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you go with to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating in Burr Ridge, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. Some companies 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 cost more. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also is 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 | $9,074 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $12,404 | 13.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $15,887 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $19,523 | 13.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $23,312 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $27,254 | 12.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $31,349 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $35,596 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Contract: When looking through 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 such as a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you choose.
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar system, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
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 Burr Ridge, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Burr Ridge?
The average cost of solar panels in Burr Ridge 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 certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Does Burr Ridge have a net metering program?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Burr Ridge?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had 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.