Solar Panel Cost Guide in Johnston City, IL (Mar 2023)
- Johnston City Solar Installation Cost: $11,581
- 25-Year Savings: $11,792
- Payback Period: 12.4 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Johnston City
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Johnston City.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Johnston City typically cost about 2.73. The average solar panel system size in Johnston City is around 6.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,581 for a solar installation, or $16,561 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more. With typical savings of about $15,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Johnston City find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Johnston City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,646 |
| 3 years | $-8,776 |
| 5 years | $-6,906 |
| 7 years | $-5,036 |
| 9 years | $-3,167 |
| 11 years | $-1,297 |
| 13 years | $573 |
| 15 years | $2,443 |
| 17 years | $4,313 |
| 19 years | $6,182 |
| 21 years | $8,052 |
| 23 years | $9,922 |
| 25 years | $11,792 |
Top Solar Installers in Johnston City
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it requires extra energy and expertise. Because of that, most people choose to go with a solar panel installer. Companies can also have access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be right for you.
If you'd like to switch to solar energy but still aren't sure which solar 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 Johnston City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Johnston City
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Johnston City: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $2,730. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive 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 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 Johnston City to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest. Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Johnston City homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Johnston City is the company you hire to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $11,227 | 12.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $15,275 | 12.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $19,476 | 12.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $23,829 | 12.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $28,336 | 11.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $32,996 | 11.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $37,808 | 11.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $42,773 | 11.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing 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 system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established 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.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system's energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you'd like to get plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.
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 Johnston City, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Johnston City?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Johnston City?
You can't get solar panels for free in Johnston City. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Johnston City is currently $72,617, which means you can expect a value of about $2,977 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Johnston City is a worthwhile investment.
How long do solar panels last in Johnston City?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.