Solar Panel Cost Guide in North Aurora, IL (2024 Update)
- North Aurora Solar Installation Cost: $17,188
- 25-Year Savings: $11,717
- Payback Period: 16.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in North Aurora
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in North Aurora.
In North Aurora, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average North Aurora homeowner needs a 6.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,188 with the federal tax credit, or $24,579 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you will most likely differ based on your energy needs and what company you go with.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $15,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in North Aurora
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,032 |
| 3 years | $-13,719 |
| 5 years | $-11,407 |
| 7 years | $-9,094 |
| 9 years | $-6,782 |
| 11 years | $-4,470 |
| 13 years | $-2,157 |
| 15 years | $155 |
| 17 years | $2,467 |
| 19 years | $4,780 |
| 21 years | $7,092 |
| 23 years | $9,404 |
| 25 years | $11,717 |
Top Solar Installers in North Aurora
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Taking advantage of a solar company can make your switch to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar installers offer can be helpful as well, especially if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment you need.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar 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 North Aurora
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in North Aurora
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that affect your total cost in North Aurora: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power generation need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,760.The brand and kind of equipment you want 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 limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in North Aurora offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you select will influence your total cost to make the switch to solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $7,442 | 17.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $10,344 | 16.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $13,456 | 16.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $16,779 | 16.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $20,313 | 15.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $24,057 | 15.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $28,011 | 15.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $32,176 | 14.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s necessary to keep an open line of communication with your solar installer. Confirm that you understand how the installation process will go and the completion timeline.
- Reputation: Long-running companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
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 North Aurora, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in North Aurora?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value remarkably 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 long do solar panels last in North Aurora?
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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.