Solar Panel Cost Guide in Glen Carbon, IL (2024 Update)

  • Glen Carbon Solar Installation Cost: $16,101
  • 25-Year Savings: $9,487
  • Payback Period: 19.0 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 Glen Carbon

Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Glen Carbon.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Glen Carbon, the average cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Glen Carbon, most homeowners require a 6.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,101, or $23,024 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Glen Carbon homeowners. The price 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.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $13,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.

To receive a free estimate from a top solar installation company in Glen Carbon, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Glen Carbon

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 Glen Carbon

Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Hiring a solar company can make switching to solar power much easier. Another good thing about choosing a reputable solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.

Working with a professional 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 Glen Carbon

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Glen Carbon

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

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your energy bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Glen Carbon average.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Glen Carbon homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you get to install your solar panel system can play a role in determining your pricing. Glen Carbon’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have 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 $4,347 19.8 years
8 kW $3.84 $21,477 $6,218 19.4 years
10 kW $3.76 $26,320 $8,298 19.0 years
12 kW $3.68 $30,952 $10,590 18.6 years
14 kW $3.61 $35,374 $13,092 18.2 years
16 kW $3.53 $39,585 $15,804 17.9 years
18 kW $3.46 $43,586 $18,727 17.5 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,376 $21,861 17.1 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you hire.
  • 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.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.

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 Glen Carbon, IL Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Glen Carbon?

The average cost of solar panels in Glen Carbon is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Are solar panels free in Glen Carbon?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Glen Carbon. However, you may still be able to get 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.

Does Glen Carbon have a net metering program?

The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

How many solar panels do I need to power my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.

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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