Solar Panel Cost Guide in Kingston, IL (2023 Update)
- Kingston Solar Installation Cost: $12,402
- 25-Year Savings: $10,209
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Kingston
Here's how much it might cost to go solar in Kingston.
In Kingston, solar panels cost about 2.73 per watt on average. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Kingston, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $12,402, or $17,735 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The true cost of making the switch to solar can vary depending on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with. Even with the large upfront cost, the average Kingston homeowner can save about $13,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Kingston that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Kingston
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,498 |
| 3 years | $-9,689 |
| 5 years | $-7,880 |
| 7 years | $-6,071 |
| 9 years | $-4,262 |
| 11 years | $-2,453 |
| 13 years | $-644 |
| 15 years | $1,165 |
| 17 years | $2,974 |
| 19 years | $4,783 |
| 21 years | $6,591 |
| 23 years | $8,400 |
| 25 years | $10,209 |
Top Solar Installers in Kingston
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to use a solar company since installing solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in Kingston, therefore optimizing your ROI.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Kingston
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Kingston
The cost of installing a solar system in Kingston can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Kingston, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,730 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Kingston homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it's vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Kingston is the company you get to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, you'll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to 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 | $8,967 | 14.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $12,262 | 14.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $15,709 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $19,310 | 13.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $23,063 | 13.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $26,969 | 12.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $31,028 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $35,240 | 12.3 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: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. While there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can check your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Warranty: If you're worried about the endurance of your solar system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Kingston, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Kingston?
The average cost of solar panels in Kingston is about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Kingston?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of 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 switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.