Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mount Morris, IL (2023 Update)
- Mount Morris Solar Installation Cost: $12,402
- 25-Year Savings: $10,209
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Mount Morris
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Mount Morris.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Mount Morris, the typical cost of solar panels is 2.73 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Mount Morris is around 6.5 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,402 for a solar installation, or $17,735 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more. Even with the large upfront cost, the average Mount Morris homeowner can save about $13,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Mount Morris that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Mount Morris
| 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 Mount Morris
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since installing solar panels by yourself can be hard. Also, companies with a good reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long term because of their warranties, repair services and expert design.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Mount Morris:
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 Mount Morris
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mount Morris
There are a number of criteria that can influence your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,730 per kilowatt in Mount Morris. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Mount Morris, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a solid route because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panel system can impact your pricing. Mount Morris' solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $8,964 | 14.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $12,258 | 14.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $15,705 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $19,305 | 13.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $23,057 | 13.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $26,963 | 12.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $31,021 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $35,232 | 12.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry different brands and kinds of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar company 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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Mount Morris, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Mount Morris?
The average cost of solar panels in Mount Morris is about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important thing to think about 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.
How will having solar panels impact the value of my home?
Solar panels can increase your home value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose 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.