Solar Panel Cost Guide in Harrisburg, IL (2025 Update)
- Harrisburg Solar Installation Cost: $15,963
- 25-Year Savings: $13,554
- Payback Period: 15.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Harrisburg
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Harrisburg.
In Harrisburg, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Harrisburg, most homeowners require a 6.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $15,963, or $22,827 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average Harrisburg homeowners see about $16,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Harrisburg for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Harrisburg
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,003 |
| 3 years | $-13,085 |
| 5 years | $-11,166 |
| 7 years | $-9,247 |
| 9 years | $-7,329 |
| 11 years | $-5,410 |
| 13 years | $-3,491 |
| 15 years | $-1,573 |
| 17 years | $346 |
| 19 years | $2,265 |
| 21 years | $4,183 |
| 23 years | $6,102 |
| 25 years | $8,021 |
Top Solar Installers in Harrisburg
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it takes extra time and know-how. Because of that, almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Another benefit of working with a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your ROI by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
See all of the solar companies in Harrisburg
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Harrisburg
For many Harrisburg homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Harrisburg, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
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 ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The type of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Harrisburg homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s important to consider that as well. You can always bring down 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 choose to install your solar panel system can play a role in determining how much it costs. Harrisburg’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with 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 | $3.91 | $16,424 | $8,451 | 16.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $11,689 | 16.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $15,138 | 15.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $18,797 | 15.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $22,667 | 15.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $26,748 | 14.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $31,039 | 14.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $35,540 | 14.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
EcoWatch's Harrisburg, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Harrisburg?
The average cost of solar panels in Harrisburg is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual 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 in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In places 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.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Harrisburg?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system produces 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 should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.