Solar Panel Cost Guide in Looking Glass, IL (2024 Update)
- Looking Glass Solar Installation Cost: $16,112
- 25-Year Savings: $13,662
- Payback Period: 15.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Looking Glass
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Looking Glass.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Looking Glass it’s 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Looking Glass, most homeowners require a 6.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,112, or $23,040 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Looking Glass depending on a few factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $16,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in Looking Glass for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in Looking Glass
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,262 |
| 3 years | $-13,560 |
| 5 years | $-11,859 |
| 7 years | $-10,158 |
| 9 years | $-8,457 |
| 11 years | $-6,755 |
| 13 years | $-5,054 |
| 15 years | $-3,353 |
| 17 years | $-1,651 |
| 19 years | $50 |
| 21 years | $1,751 |
| 23 years | $3,452 |
| 25 years | $5,154 |
Top Solar Installers in Looking Glass
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be challenging. Another great thing about going with a reliable solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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
See all of the solar companies in Looking Glass
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Looking Glass
There are many criteria that can play into your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,760 per kilowatt in Looking Glass.The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease 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 add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Looking Glass have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s crucial to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose to handle your switch to solar energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating in Looking Glass, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Looking Glass have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
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 | $8,432 | 16.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $11,664 | 16.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $15,106 | 15.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $18,759 | 15.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $22,623 | 15.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $26,697 | 14.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $30,981 | 14.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $35,477 | 14.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose greatly influences your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry various brands and models of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the endurance of your solar panels, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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
EcoWatch's Looking Glass, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Looking Glass?
The average cost of solar panels in Looking Glass is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is it worth going solar in Looking Glass?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Looking Glass?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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.