Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cunningham, IL (2024 Update)
- Cunningham Solar Installation Cost: $16,614
- 25-Year Savings: $11,036
- Payback Period: 18.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cunningham
Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in Cunningham.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Cunningham is 4 per watt.Since a 6.3-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Cunningham, the average price of going solar will be about $16,614 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Cunningham 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.Even with the high upfront cost, the average Cunningham homeowner can save about $14,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Cunningham for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Cunningham
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,763 |
| 3 years | $-14,062 |
| 5 years | $-12,361 |
| 7 years | $-10,659 |
| 9 years | $-8,958 |
| 11 years | $-7,257 |
| 13 years | $-5,556 |
| 15 years | $-3,854 |
| 17 years | $-2,153 |
| 19 years | $-452 |
| 21 years | $1,250 |
| 23 years | $2,951 |
| 25 years | $4,652 |
Top Solar Installers in Cunningham
Putting up solar panels by yourself can be a dangerous undertaking, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Also, companies with a good reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long run with their warranties, repair services and expert design.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Cunningham:
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
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 Cunningham
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cunningham
The cost of installing a solar system in Cunningham can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $3,760. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Generally speaking, the brands that are more efficient tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a popular option because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.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 off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to clean energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Cunningham, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $5,532 | 18.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $7,797 | 18.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $10,272 | 18.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $12,958 | 17.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $15,855 | 17.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $18,962 | 16.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $22,280 | 16.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $25,809 | 16.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will influence not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar panel system, ensuring your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s necessary to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. Make sure you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
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
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 Cunningham, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Cunningham?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Cunningham?
A solar panel system isn’t free in Cunningham, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.