Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Alton, IL (2024 Update)
- East Alton Solar Installation Cost: $16,101
- 25-Year Savings: $11,083
- Payback Period: 17.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in East Alton
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in East Alton.
The average cost of a solar panel system in East Alton is 4 per watt.Because a 6.1-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in East Alton, the average price of going solar will be about $16,101 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $14,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in East Alton that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in East Alton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,250 |
| 3 years | $-13,549 |
| 5 years | $-11,848 |
| 7 years | $-10,147 |
| 9 years | $-8,445 |
| 11 years | $-6,744 |
| 13 years | $-5,043 |
| 15 years | $-3,341 |
| 17 years | $-1,640 |
| 19 years | $61 |
| 21 years | $1,763 |
| 23 years | $3,464 |
| 25 years | $5,165 |
Top Solar Installers in East Alton
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installer since trying to install solar panels yourself can be hard. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar system company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
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 East Alton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Alton
Though the average cost of a solar system in East Alton is $16,101, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in East Alton, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,760 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive 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 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 financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in East Alton, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.It’s a good idea to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in East Alton, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in East Alton have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $5,913 | 18.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $8,305 | 18.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $10,907 | 17.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $13,720 | 17.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $16,744 | 17.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $19,978 | 16.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $23,423 | 16.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $27,078 | 15.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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 East Alton, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in East Alton?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Are solar panels free in East Alton?
You can’t get solar panels for free in East Alton. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $744.54 per year.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can take a 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.