Solar Panel Cost Guide in Hickory Hills, IL (2024 Update)

  • Hickory Hills Solar Installation Cost: $16,818
  • 25-Year Savings: $10,400
  • Payback Period: 18.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Hickory Hills

See how much it might cost to go solar in Hickory Hills.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Hickory Hills typically cost about 4.The average Hickory Hills homeowner needs a 6.4-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,818 with the federal tax credit, or $24,050 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Hickory Hills homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Hickory Hills see about $13,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Hickory Hills

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,662
3 years$-13,350
5 years$-11,038
7 years$-8,725
9 years$-6,413
11 years$-4,100
13 years$-1,788
15 years$524
17 years$2,837
19 years$5,149
21 years$7,461
23 years$9,774
25 years$12,086

Top Solar Installers in Hickory Hills

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be challenging. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance in the long run.

There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • 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 Hickory Hills

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hickory Hills

There are a number of criteria that can influence your 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

One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,760 per kilowatt in Hickory Hills.The brand and type of equipment you get 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 have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater 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 Hickory Hills to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.It’s a good idea to factor 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

Lastly, the company you choose to install your solar panel system can influence the cost. Hickory Hills’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.91$16,424$4,80819.3 years
8 kW$3.84$21,477$6,83219.0 years
10 kW$3.76$26,320$9,06618.6 years
12 kW$3.68$30,952$11,51118.2 years
14 kW$3.61$35,374$14,16617.9 years
16 kW$3.53$39,585$17,03217.5 years
18 kW$3.46$43,586$20,10917.1 years
20 kW$3.38$47,376$23,39616.7 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 selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company with regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
  • Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Reputation: Companies that have been in business for many years likely have a high 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: When reading over your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • 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 Hickory Hills, IL Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Hickory Hills?

The average cost of solar panels in Hickory Hills 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 like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Are solar panels free in Hickory Hills?

A solar panel system isn’t free in Hickory Hills, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.

Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?

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 Hickory Hills is currently $291,356, so you could be looking at a value of about $11,946 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Hickory Hills is a worthwhile investment.

How long do solar panels last in Hickory Hills?

Even though 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.