Solar Panel Cost Guide in Carlyle, IL (2024 Update)
- Carlyle Solar Installation Cost: $16,112
- 25-Year Savings: $15,864
- Payback Period: 14.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Carlyle
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Carlyle.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Carlyle typically cost about 4.The average Carlyle homeowner needs a 6.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,112 with the federal tax credit, or $23,040 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can go above or below the average in Carlyle based on several factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Carlyle can save about $17,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Carlyle for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Carlyle
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,262 |
| 3 years | $-13,560 |
| 5 years | $-11,859 |
| 7 years | $-10,158 |
| 9 years | $-8,457 |
| 11 years | $-6,755 |
| 13 years | $-5,054 |
| 15 years | $-3,353 |
| 17 years | $-1,651 |
| 19 years | $50 |
| 21 years | $1,751 |
| 23 years | $3,452 |
| 25 years | $5,154 |
Top Solar Installers in Carlyle
Trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a stressful undertaking, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Another good thing about using a reliable solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar system over time.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Carlyle
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Carlyle
For many Carlyle homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Carlyle, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar 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 a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Carlyle average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Carlyle offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Carlyle homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Carlyle, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.91 | $16,424 | $10,591 | 15.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $14,543 | 14.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $18,705 | 14.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $23,077 | 14.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $27,660 | 14.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $32,454 | 13.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $37,458 | 13.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $42,673 | 13.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will impact not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, including:
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Carlyle, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Carlyle?
The average cost of solar panels in Carlyle is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Carlyle?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Carlyle?
Each state has some kind 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 give you credit toward your future power bills.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size 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 typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house 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.