Solar Panel Cost Guide in East St. Louis, IL (2024 Update)

  • East St. Louis Solar Installation Cost: $16,000
  • 25-Year Savings: $9,226
  • Payback Period: 19.2 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

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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 East St. Louis

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in East St. Louis.

The average cost of a solar panel system in East St. Louis is 4 per watt.The average East St. Louis homeowner needs a 6.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,000 with the federal tax credit, or $22,880 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average homeowners in East St. Louis see about $13,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in East St. Louis

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,149
3 years $-13,448
5 years $-11,746
7 years $-10,045
9 years $-8,344
11 years $-6,643
13 years $-4,941
15 years $-3,240
17 years $-1,539
19 years $163
21 years $1,864
23 years $3,565
25 years $5,267

Top Solar Installers in East St. Louis

Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra time and handiness. That's why almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

Working with a licensed solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:

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 East St. Louis

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East St. Louis

Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in East St. Louis: 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

When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in East St. Louis, 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 usage, which you can figure out by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,760 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like East St. Louis, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. 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 East St. Louis to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in East St. Louis is the company you choose to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, 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 $4,148 20.0 years
8 kW $3.84 $21,477 $5,952 19.6 years
10 kW $3.76 $26,320 $7,967 19.2 years
12 kW $3.68 $30,952 $10,192 18.8 years
14 kW $3.61 $35,374 $12,628 18.4 years
16 kW $3.53 $39,585 $15,274 18.0 years
18 kW $3.46 $43,586 $18,130 17.7 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,376 $21,198 17.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar installer you opt for will affect not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, including:

  • Contract: When reading through your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want to install plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies provide different panels.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.

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 East St. Louis, IL Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in East St. Louis?

This is a hard 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 additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, 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 East St. Louis?

Solar panels aren’t free in East St. Louis, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, 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 solar panels significantly reduce my power bills?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $685.74 per year.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 larger 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.

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