Solar Panel Cost Guide in Glendale Heights, IL (Feb 2023)
- Glendale Heights Solar Installation Cost: $12,479
- 25-Year Savings: $10,133
- Payback Period: 13.8 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Glendale Heights
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Glendale Heights.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Glendale Heights, the average cost of a solar system is $3 per watt. The average Glendale Heights homeowner needs a 6.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,479, or $9,234 after the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Glendale Heights based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $13,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in your area for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in Glendale Heights
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,574 |
| 3 years | $-9,765 |
| 5 years | $-7,956 |
| 7 years | $-6,148 |
| 9 years | $-4,339 |
| 11 years | $-2,530 |
| 13 years | $-721 |
| 15 years | $1,088 |
| 17 years | $2,897 |
| 19 years | $4,706 |
| 21 years | $6,515 |
| 23 years | $8,324 |
| 25 years | $10,133 |
Top Solar Installers in Glendale Heights
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Hiring a solar panel installer can make your swap to solar power much easier. Plus, if you aren't sure what kind of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Glendale Heights
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Glendale Heights
The cost of installing a solar system in Glendale Heights can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest 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 significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,730 per kilowatt in Glendale Heights. The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Glendale Heights average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Glendale Heights to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest. Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Glendale Heights homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Glendale Heights is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, you'll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $8,840 | 14.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $12,093 | 14.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $15,498 | 13.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $19,057 | 13.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $22,768 | 13.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $26,632 | 13.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $30,649 | 12.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $34,819 | 12.4 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:
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: Review the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the total cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you opt for.
- 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.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Glendale Heights, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Glendale Heights?
The average cost of solar panels in Glendale Heights is about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will installing solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Glendale Heights is currently $224,607, which means you can look forward to a value of about $9,209 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Glendale Heights is a rewarding investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down 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.