Solar Panel Cost Guide in Carbondale, IL (Mar 2023)
- Carbondale Solar Installation Cost: $11,600
- 25-Year Savings: $13,348
- Payback Period: 11.6 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Carbondale
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Carbondale.
In Carbondale, solar panels cost about 2.73 per watt on average. The average solar panel system size in Carbondale is around 6.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,600 for a solar installation, or $16,588 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Carbondale homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $16,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Carbondale that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Carbondale
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,602 |
| 3 years | $-8,606 |
| 5 years | $-6,610 |
| 7 years | $-4,614 |
| 9 years | $-2,618 |
| 11 years | $-623 |
| 13 years | $1,373 |
| 15 years | $3,369 |
| 17 years | $5,365 |
| 19 years | $7,361 |
| 21 years | $9,357 |
| 23 years | $11,353 |
| 25 years | $13,348 |
Top Solar Installers in Carbondale
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be hard. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by offering warranties, repairs and part replacements.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 Carbondale
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Carbondale
The cost of installing a solar system in Carbondale can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $2,730. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Carbondale, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Carbondale to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest. It's a good idea to include the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Carbondale, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and 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 cost more. It's best to do some research and choose a company that provides the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fit into 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 | $12,743 | 12.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $17,297 | 11.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $22,003 | 11.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $26,862 | 11.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $31,874 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $37,039 | 10.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $42,357 | 10.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $47,828 | 10.5 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 durability and efficiency, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- 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 large role in the company you choose.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're aligned with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure you read it through fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and what services you can expect from them.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Carbondale, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Carbondale?
The average cost of solar panels in Carbondale 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 stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities 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.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my energy bills?
It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Carbondale, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you'll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How long do solar panels last in Carbondale?
On average, solar panels can last 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.