Solar Panel Cost Guide in Green Garden, IL (2023 Update)
- Green Garden Solar Installation Cost: $12,345
- 25-Year Savings: $10,267
- Payback Period: 13.6 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Green Garden
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Green Garden.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Green Garden is 2.73 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Green Garden, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,345, or $17,653 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you will look different based on your specific situation and what company you choose to go with. With average savings of about $13,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Green Garden find investing in solar can pay off big.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Green Garden for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Green Garden
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,441 |
| 3 years | $-9,632 |
| 5 years | $-7,823 |
| 7 years | $-6,014 |
| 9 years | $-4,205 |
| 11 years | $-2,396 |
| 13 years | $-587 |
| 15 years | $1,222 |
| 17 years | $3,031 |
| 19 years | $4,840 |
| 21 years | $6,649 |
| 23 years | $8,458 |
| 25 years | $10,267 |
Top Solar Installers in Green Garden
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra effort and expertise. Because of that, the majority of homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can benefit from and by offering warranties and repairs.
If you'd like to switch to solar energy but still aren't certain which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations 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 Green Garden
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Green Garden
Though the average cost of a solar system in Green Garden is $12,345, your actual cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important 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 electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,730 per kilowatt in Green Garden. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get 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 energy bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Green Garden average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Green Garden to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest. It's wise to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Green Garden, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to 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 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $9,083 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $12,417 | 13.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $15,904 | 13.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $19,543 | 13.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $23,335 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $27,280 | 12.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $31,378 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $35,629 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will impact not only your total 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: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Green Garden, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Green Garden?
The average cost of solar panels in Green Garden 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 certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Green Garden?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing 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 maximize your savings.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Green Garden is currently $278,282, which means you can expect a value of about $11,410 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Green Garden is a fruitful investment.
How long do solar panels last in Green Garden?
On average, solar panels can last 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 higher 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.