Solar Panel Cost Guide in Kendall, IL (2023 Update)
- Kendall Solar Installation Cost: $12,383
- 25-Year Savings: $11,042
- Payback Period: 13.2 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Kendall
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Kendall.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Kendall, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.73 per watt. The average Kendall homeowner needs a 6.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,383 with the federal tax credit, or $17,708 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The actual cost of installing solar panels can vary quite a bit depending on multiple factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with. With typical savings of about $14,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Kendall find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Kendall that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Kendall
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,446 |
| 3 years | $-9,572 |
| 5 years | $-7,698 |
| 7 years | $-5,824 |
| 9 years | $-3,950 |
| 11 years | $-2,076 |
| 13 years | $-202 |
| 15 years | $1,672 |
| 17 years | $3,546 |
| 19 years | $5,420 |
| 21 years | $7,294 |
| 23 years | $9,168 |
| 25 years | $11,042 |
Top Solar Installers in Kendall
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a time-consuming project. A solar company can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by offering warranties, repairs and part replacements.
Working with a professional solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Kendall
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Kendall
For many Kendall homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Kendall, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that considerably 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 influences the overall cost of going solar. That's why it's crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a 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 a small roof 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 raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Kendall have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it's vital to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Kendall, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. Some companies 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 come with an above-average cost. It's best to do some research and find a company that offers 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $9,765 | 13.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $13,326 | 13.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $17,039 | 13.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $20,906 | 13.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $24,925 | 12.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $29,097 | 12.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $33,422 | 12.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $37,900 | 11.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, 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:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have various brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you're considering has it.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Kendall, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Kendall?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Kendall?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to many solar incentives. Also your home value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Kendall?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can take a 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 get 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.
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.