Solar Panel Cost Guide in Du Page, IL (2024 Update)

  • Du Page Solar Installation Cost: $16,997
  • 25-Year Savings: $10,271
  • Payback Period: 18.8 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Du Page

Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Du Page.

The average cost of solar panels in Du Page is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Du Page, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,997, or $24,306 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Du Page depending on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.With average savings of about $13,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Du Page find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.

You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Du Page for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Du Page

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,841
3 years $-13,529
5 years $-11,216
7 years $-8,904
9 years $-6,592
11 years $-4,279
13 years $-1,967
15 years $345
17 years $2,658
19 years $4,970
21 years $7,282
23 years $9,595
25 years $11,907

Top Solar Installers in Du Page

Many homeowners decide to use a solar panel installer since installing solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Another good thing about using a reputable solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.

There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Du Page

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Du Page

The cost of installing a solar system in Du Page can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,760 per kilowatt in Du Page.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a 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 a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in Du Page, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The last major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Du Page, you’ll have plenty of 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 due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.

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 $4,584 19.5 years
8 kW $3.84 $21,477 $6,534 19.2 years
10 kW $3.76 $26,320 $8,694 18.8 years
12 kW $3.68 $30,952 $11,064 18.4 years
14 kW $3.61 $35,374 $13,645 18.0 years
16 kW $3.53 $39,585 $16,436 17.7 years
18 kW $3.46 $43,586 $19,438 17.3 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,376 $22,651 16.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of companies available in Du Page, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
  • Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the total cost, project timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good 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 certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Du Page, IL Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Du Page?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, 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. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Du Page?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Du Page. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Can solar panels significantly reduce my power bills?

It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Du Page, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How long do solar panels last in Du Page?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.

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.

Follow us