Solar Panel Cost Guide in Granite City, IL (2025 Update)
- Granite City Solar Installation Cost: $16,101
- 25-Year Savings: $8,140
- Payback Period: 20.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Granite City
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Granite City.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Granite City typically cost about 4.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Granite City, most homeowners require a 6.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,101, or $23,024 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and the cost of going solar for you will look different based on your energy needs and what company you go with.Even with the high initial cost, the average Granite City homeowner can save around $12,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Granite City
| 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 Granite City
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it involves extra energy and handiness. That's why the majority of homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Plus, if you’re not certain what brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 Granite City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Granite City
While the average cost of a solar system in Granite City is $16,101, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Typically, the brands that are more efficient tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Granite City homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you choose to install your solar system can affect the cost. Granite City’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger 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 | $3,026 | 21.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $4,456 | 20.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $6,096 | 20.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $7,947 | 19.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $10,008 | 19.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $12,280 | 19.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $14,763 | 18.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $17,456 | 18.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, including:
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the longevity of your solar panel system, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 Granite City, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Granite City?
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. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Granite City?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels 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 usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household 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.