Solar Panel Cost Guide in Chicago, IL (2024 Update)
- Chicago Solar Installation Cost: $17,005
- 25-Year Savings: $10,265
- Payback Period: 18.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Chicago
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Chicago.
In Chicago, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average Chicago homeowner needs a 6.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,005 with the federal tax credit, or $24,317 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you will differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.With average savings of about $13,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Chicago find going solar can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Chicago that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Chicago
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,849 |
| 3 years | $-13,537 |
| 5 years | $-11,224 |
| 7 years | $-8,912 |
| 9 years | $-6,600 |
| 11 years | $-4,287 |
| 13 years | $-1,975 |
| 15 years | $337 |
| 17 years | $2,650 |
| 19 years | $4,962 |
| 21 years | $7,274 |
| 23 years | $9,587 |
| 25 years | $11,899 |
Top Solar Installers in Chicago
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Another good thing about choosing a top solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. 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 Chicago
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Chicago
The cost of installing a solar system in Chicago can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Chicago, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, 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 Chicago to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest.Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Chicago homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Chicago is the company you hire to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk 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 | $4,575 | 19.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $6,521 | 19.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $8,677 | 18.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $11,044 | 18.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $13,622 | 18.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $16,410 | 17.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $19,409 | 17.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $22,618 | 16.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the company you choose significantly impacts 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:
- Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the overall cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry different brands and models of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a good company.
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 Chicago, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Chicago?
The average cost of solar panels in Chicago is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in Chicago?
Solar panels aren’t free in Chicago, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Chicago?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
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 needs 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 home 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.