Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northville, IL (2023 Update)
- Northville Solar Installation Cost: $12,307
- 25-Year Savings: $11,119
- Payback Period: 13.1 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Northville
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in Northville.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Northville, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.73 per watt. To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Northville, most homeowners require a 6.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,307, or $17,599 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The actual cost of going solar can vary based on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with. Despite the significant upfront cost, the average Northville homeowner can save about $14,000 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 vetted solar company in Northville for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Northville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,370 |
| 3 years | $-9,496 |
| 5 years | $-7,622 |
| 7 years | $-5,748 |
| 9 years | $-3,874 |
| 11 years | $-2,000 |
| 13 years | $-126 |
| 15 years | $1,748 |
| 17 years | $3,622 |
| 19 years | $5,497 |
| 21 years | $7,371 |
| 23 years | $9,245 |
| 25 years | $11,119 |
Top Solar Installers in Northville
Many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Some solar installers, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Northville, therefore optimizing your ROI.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Northville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northville
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in Northville: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Northville, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,730 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Northville to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest. While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Northville homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you opt for to handle your switch to sustainable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Northville, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. 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 due to more resources and bulk 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 discount 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $9,916 | 13.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $13,527 | 13.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $17,291 | 13.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $21,207 | 12.9 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $25,277 | 12.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $29,499 | 12.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $33,875 | 12.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $38,403 | 11.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the cost.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can check your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of offerings before deciding.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one indication of a good company.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Northville, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Northville?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient 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 less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost 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 solar panels impact my home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably 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% after installing a solar system."
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know 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 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.