Solar Panel Cost Guide in Kankakee, IL (2024 Update)
- Kankakee Solar Installation Cost: $16,867
- 25-Year Savings: $11,254
- Payback Period: 17.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Kankakee
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Kankakee.
In Kankakee, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Kankakee, most homeowners require a 6.4-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,867, or $24,120 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Kankakee homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With typical savings of about $14,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Kankakee find going solar can pay off big.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in Kankakee for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in Kankakee
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,710 |
| 3 years | $-13,398 |
| 5 years | $-11,086 |
| 7 years | $-8,773 |
| 9 years | $-6,461 |
| 11 years | $-4,149 |
| 13 years | $-1,836 |
| 15 years | $476 |
| 17 years | $2,789 |
| 19 years | $5,101 |
| 21 years | $7,413 |
| 23 years | $9,726 |
| 25 years | $12,038 |
Top Solar Installers in Kankakee
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Using a solar company can make switching to solar power much easier. Solar installers provide key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Kankakee, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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
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 Kankakee
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Kankakee
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Kankakee: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power generation 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 $3,760.The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Kankakee average.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Kankakee to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to 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 larger 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 hire to install your solar panel system can play a part in determining how much it costs. Kankakee’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that provides the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fit into your budget.
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 | $5,579 | 18.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $7,860 | 18.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $10,351 | 17.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $13,053 | 17.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $15,966 | 17.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $19,089 | 16.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $22,423 | 16.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $25,967 | 16.1 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:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- 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.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
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
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 Kankakee, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Kankakee?
The average cost of solar panels in Kankakee 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 type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Kankakee is currently $127,052, so you could be looking at a value of about $5,209 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Kankakee is a fruitful investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.