Solar Panel Cost Guide in Murphysboro, IL (2024 Update)
- Murphysboro Solar Installation Cost: $15,971
- 25-Year Savings: $12,222
- Payback Period: 16.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Murphysboro
We go over average solar pricing in Murphysboro.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Murphysboro, the typical cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.Since a 6.1-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Murphysboro, the average price of going solar will be about $15,971 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the large initial cost, the average Murphysboro homeowner can save about $15,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To get a free estimate from a highly rated solar installation company in Murphysboro, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Murphysboro
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,121 |
| 3 years | $-13,420 |
| 5 years | $-11,718 |
| 7 years | $-10,017 |
| 9 years | $-8,316 |
| 11 years | $-6,614 |
| 13 years | $-4,913 |
| 15 years | $-3,212 |
| 17 years | $-1,511 |
| 19 years | $191 |
| 21 years | $1,892 |
| 23 years | $3,593 |
| 25 years | $5,295 |
Top Solar Installers in Murphysboro
Trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a difficult task, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar installers offer can be useful as well, especially if you don’t quite know what brand of solar equipment you need.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
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
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Murphysboro
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Murphysboro
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Murphysboro: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Murphysboro have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Murphysboro, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.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 decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for 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 | $3.91 | $16,424 | $7,127 | 17.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $9,924 | 17.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $12,931 | 16.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $16,149 | 16.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $19,578 | 16.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $23,217 | 15.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $27,067 | 15.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $31,127 | 15.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installation company you choose considerably impacts your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the longevity of your solar panels, ensuring your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years most likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
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
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Murphysboro, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Murphysboro?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Murphysboro?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Murphysboro is currently $98,314, so you can look forward to a value of about $4,031 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Murphysboro is a rewarding investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.