Solar Panel Cost Guide in Carol Stream, IL (2023 Update)
- Carol Stream Solar Installation Cost: $12,479
- 25-Year Savings: $13,521
- Payback Period: 12.0 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 Carol Stream
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Carol Stream.
In Carol Stream, solar panels cost about 2.73 per watt on average. The average solar panel system size in Carol Stream is around 6.5 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,479 for a solar installation, or $17,845 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Carol Stream homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Carol Stream can save around $15,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar company in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Carol Stream
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,439 |
| 3 years | $-9,359 |
| 5 years | $-7,279 |
| 7 years | $-5,199 |
| 9 years | $-3,119 |
| 11 years | $-1,039 |
| 13 years | $1,041 |
| 15 years | $3,121 |
| 17 years | $5,201 |
| 19 years | $7,281 |
| 21 years | $9,361 |
| 23 years | $11,441 |
| 25 years | $13,521 |
Top Solar Installers in Carol Stream
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Taking advantage of an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. Companies can also have access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be best for you.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some in Carol Stream:
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 Carol Stream
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Carol Stream
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Carol Stream: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar 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 nearly $2,730. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Carol Stream to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest. It's wise to factor 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 how long it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Carol Stream, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. You may notice 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 promotions 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $11,952 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $16,241 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $20,684 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $25,279 | 11.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $30,027 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $34,928 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $39,982 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $45,189 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will impact not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, such as:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
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 Carol Stream, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Carol Stream?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Does Carol Stream have a net metering program?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.