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

  • Mount Vernon Solar Installation Cost: $16,093
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,176
  • Payback Period: 16.2 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Vernon

We go over average solar pricing in Mount Vernon.

The average cost of a solar system in Mount Vernon is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Mount Vernon, most homeowners require a 6.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,093, or $23,013 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The actual cost of going solar can vary depending on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with.Despite the large upfront cost, the average Mount Vernon homeowner can save around $15,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.

To get a free estimate from a top solar installation company in Mount Vernon, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Mount Vernon

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,243
3 years $-13,541
5 years $-11,840
7 years $-10,139
9 years $-8,438
11 years $-6,736
13 years $-5,035
15 years $-3,334
17 years $-1,632
19 years $69
21 years $1,770
23 years $3,472
25 years $5,173

Top Solar Installers in Mount Vernon

Installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Also, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, going with a solar installer can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.

If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Mount Vernon:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
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

See all of the solar companies in Mount Vernon

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mount Vernon

For many Mount Vernon homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Mount Vernon, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Mount Vernon, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,760 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will considerably affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable route because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Mount Vernon is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.You may see 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 specials to compete with those major players.

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 $7,971 16.8 years
8 kW $3.84 $21,477 $11,049 16.5 years
10 kW $3.76 $26,320 $14,338 16.2 years
12 kW $3.68 $30,952 $17,838 15.9 years
14 kW $3.61 $35,374 $21,547 15.5 years
16 kW $3.53 $39,585 $25,468 15.2 years
18 kW $3.46 $43,586 $29,599 14.9 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,376 $33,940 14.6 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 choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two 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 good reviews from previous customers.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you’d like to install plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies have different panels.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
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

EcoWatch's Mount Vernon, IL Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Mount Vernon?

The average cost of solar panels in Mount Vernon 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 such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?

Cost is without a doubt 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 installing solar panels impact how much my home is worth?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."

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 needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home 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.

Follow us