Solar Panel Cost Guide in McLeansboro, IL (2023 Update)
- McLeansboro Solar Installation Cost: $11,658
- 25-Year Savings: $15,004
- Payback Period: 10.9 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in McLeansboro
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in McLeansboro.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in McLeansboro generally cost around 2.73. Because a 6.1-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in McLeansboro, the average price of going solar will be about $11,657 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more. Despite the large initial cost, the average McLeansboro homeowner can save about $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in McLeansboro
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,569 |
| 3 years | $-11,391 |
| 5 years | $-11,214 |
| 7 years | $-11,036 |
| 9 years | $-10,858 |
| 11 years | $-10,680 |
| 13 years | $-10,503 |
| 15 years | $-10,325 |
| 17 years | $-10,147 |
| 19 years | $-9,969 |
| 21 years | $-9,792 |
| 23 years | $-9,614 |
| 25 years | $-9,436 |
Top Solar Installers in McLeansboro
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. The expertise that solar installers offer can be invaluable as well, especially if you aren't sure what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a licensed solar company 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
See all of the solar companies in McLeansboro
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in McLeansboro
The cost of installing a solar system in McLeansboro can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $2,730. The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in McLeansboro to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest. It's wise to include 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 how long it'll take to pay off the loan.
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 McLeansboro is the company you get to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, you'll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. 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 cost more. It's best to do some research and choose a company that provides the products, warranties and services you want and also is within 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 | $14,298 | 11.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $19,370 | 11.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $24,594 | 10.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $29,972 | 10.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $35,502 | 10.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $41,185 | 10.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $47,022 | 10.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $53,011 | 9.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will affect not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, including:
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Warranty: If you're concerned about the durability of your solar energy system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it's crucial to maintain an open line of communication with your solar installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry 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.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's McLeansboro, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in McLeansboro?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different 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 be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in McLeansboro?
Even though 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 how much 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.