Solar Panel Cost Guide in Fairfield, IL (2024 Update)
- Fairfield Solar Installation Cost: $16,177
- 25-Year Savings: $13,651
- Payback Period: 15.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Fairfield
We go over average solar pricing in Fairfield.
In Fairfield, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 6.1-kW system would cost about $16,177 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $16,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Fairfield find going solar can pay off big.
To receive a free quote from a top solar company in Fairfield, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Fairfield
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,326 |
| 3 years | $-13,625 |
| 5 years | $-11,924 |
| 7 years | $-10,222 |
| 9 years | $-8,521 |
| 11 years | $-6,820 |
| 13 years | $-5,119 |
| 15 years | $-3,417 |
| 17 years | $-1,716 |
| 19 years | $-15 |
| 21 years | $1,687 |
| 23 years | $3,388 |
| 25 years | $5,089 |
Top Solar Installers in Fairfield
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar company since installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Another good thing about choosing a top solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar system over time.
If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Fairfield, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Fairfield
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Fairfield
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Fairfield: 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
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar 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 Fairfield.The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Fairfield homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Fairfield, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.The company’s size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger 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 | $8,369 | 16.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $11,579 | 16.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $15,000 | 15.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $18,632 | 15.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $22,474 | 15.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $26,527 | 15.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $30,791 | 14.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $35,265 | 14.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the company you choose considerably influences your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, make sure you read it through completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re unsure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s important to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
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 Fairfield, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Fairfield?
The average cost of solar panels in Fairfield is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Fairfield?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How long do solar panels last in Fairfield?
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 amount 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.