Solar Panel Cost Guide in Harlem, IL (2024 Update)
- Harlem Solar Installation Cost: $17,167
- 25-Year Savings: $12,148
- Payback Period: 17.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Harlem
Here’s how much it might cost to go solar in Harlem.
In Harlem, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Harlem is around 6.5 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,167 for a solar installation, or $24,549 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average Harlem homeowners see about $14,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Harlem
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,011 |
| 3 years | $-13,698 |
| 5 years | $-11,386 |
| 7 years | $-9,074 |
| 9 years | $-6,761 |
| 11 years | $-4,449 |
| 13 years | $-2,137 |
| 15 years | $176 |
| 17 years | $2,488 |
| 19 years | $4,801 |
| 21 years | $7,113 |
| 23 years | $9,425 |
| 25 years | $11,738 |
Top Solar Installers in Harlem
When going solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. Since solar panels are exposed to rain, snow, hail and wind, depending on the climate, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Harlem
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Harlem
There are a number of factors that can determine your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $3,760. The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Harlem to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s crucial to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Harlem, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $6,217 | 18.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $8,711 | 17.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $11,415 | 17.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $14,330 | 17.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $17,455 | 16.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $20,791 | 16.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $24,337 | 16.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $28,094 | 15.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry different brands and models of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Harlem, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Harlem?
The average cost of solar panels in Harlem 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 certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Harlem?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it usually 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 incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my energy bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $754.70 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
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.