Solar Panel Cost Guide in Hillside, IL (2023 Update)
- Hillside Solar Installation Cost: $12,211
- 25-Year Savings: $10,400
- Payback Period: 13.5 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Hillside
We break down average solar pricing in Hillside.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Hillside typically cost about 2.73. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Hillside, most homeowners require a 6.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,211, or $17,462 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Hillside homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With typical savings of about $13,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Hillside find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
To receive a free quote from a pre-vetted solar company in Hillside, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Hillside
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,055 |
| 3 years | $-8,743 |
| 5 years | $-6,430 |
| 7 years | $-4,118 |
| 9 years | $-1,806 |
| 11 years | $507 |
| 13 years | $2,819 |
| 15 years | $5,131 |
| 17 years | $7,444 |
| 19 years | $9,756 |
| 21 years | $12,068 |
| 23 years | $14,381 |
| 25 years | $16,693 |
Top Solar Installers in Hillside
When going solar, many homeowners decide to go with a solar company since DIY solar panel installation can be a challenging project. Another perk of utilizing a solar company is that they can help you make the most of your return of investment by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in Hillside:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Hillside
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hillside
The cost of installing a solar system in Hillside can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,730. The kind of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will substantially affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
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 Hillside homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. It's a good idea to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Hillside, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in Hillside have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
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 | $9,307 | 14.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $12,715 | 13.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $16,276 | 13.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $19,990 | 13.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $23,856 | 13.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $27,876 | 12.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $32,048 | 12.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $36,374 | 12.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the company you choose considerably influences your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, make sure you look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you aren't sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can look into 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
EcoWatch's Hillside, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Hillside?
The average cost of solar panels in Hillside 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 stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to take into account are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is going solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 once you've had 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.