Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lombard, IL (2024 Update)

  • Lombard Solar Installation Cost: $17,196
  • 25-Year Savings: $10,126
  • Payback Period: 19.0 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lombard

Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Lombard.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Lombard it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Lombard, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,196, or $24,590 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

These figures are just averages, and your own solar costs may look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $13,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Lombard

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-16,040
3 years$-13,728
5 years$-11,415
7 years$-9,103
9 years$-6,791
11 years$-4,478
13 years$-2,166
15 years$146
17 years$2,459
19 years$4,771
21 years$7,083
23 years$9,396
25 years$11,708

Top Solar Installers in Lombard

DIY solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Hiring an installer can make your switch to solar power much easier. Companies can also provide access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be best for you.

If you're searching for a solar company in Lombard, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • 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 Lombard

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lombard

The cost of installing a solar system in Lombard can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on 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 installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Lombard, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Most solar companies in Lombard provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Lombard 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 make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Lombard is the company you hire to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.91$16,424$4,34119.8 years
8 kW$3.84$21,477$6,21019.4 years
10 kW$3.76$26,320$8,28819.0 years
12 kW$3.68$30,952$10,57818.6 years
14 kW$3.61$35,374$13,07818.3 years
16 kW$3.53$39,585$15,78817.9 years
18 kW$3.46$43,586$18,70917.5 years
20 kW$3.38$47,376$21,84117.1 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies to choose from in Lombard, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. While there are many options for which model 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 peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
  • 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 that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
  • Warranty: If you care about the endurance of your solar panels, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • 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 Lombard, IL Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Lombard?

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Lombard?

A solar panel system isn’t free in Lombard, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.

Is it worth going solar in Lombard?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.

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.