Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mount Pleasant, IL (2024 Update)

  • Mount Pleasant Solar Installation Cost: $17,039
  • 25-Year Savings: $15,756
  • Payback Period: 15.1 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 Mount Pleasant

Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Mount Pleasant.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Mount Pleasant generally cost about 4.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Mount Pleasant, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,039, or $24,366 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The true cost of installing solar panels can vary depending on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what company you go with.Even with the significant upfront cost, the average Mount Pleasant homeowner can save about $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

For a free quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Mount Pleasant

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,882
3 years$-13,570
5 years$-11,258
7 years$-8,945
9 years$-6,633
11 years$-4,321
13 years$-2,008
15 years$304
17 years$2,616
19 years$4,929
21 years$7,241
23 years$9,554
25 years$11,866

Top Solar Installers in Mount Pleasant

Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels yourself can be hard. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over time.

If you're looking for a solar installer in Mount Pleasant, we've put together 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 Mount Pleasant

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mount Pleasant

The cost of installing a solar system in Mount Pleasant can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 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 additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Mount Pleasant homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.When estimating 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

The solar installer you select will influence your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.91$16,424$9,64515.8 years
8 kW$3.84$21,477$13,28215.4 years
10 kW$3.76$26,320$17,12915.1 years
12 kW$3.68$30,952$21,18614.8 years
14 kW$3.61$35,374$25,45414.5 years
16 kW$3.53$39,585$29,93214.2 years
18 kW$3.46$43,586$34,62113.9 years
20 kW$3.38$47,376$39,52113.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar 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 a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it’s important to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. Confirm that you understand how the installation process will go and the completion timeline.
  • Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.

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 Mount Pleasant, IL Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Mount Pleasant?

The average cost of solar panels in Mount Pleasant 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 stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Mount Pleasant?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to 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 property 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 savings from going solar.

Is going solar worth it?

Solar panels can be a good investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.

How many solar panels do I need to power my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.

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.