Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northville, IL (2023 Update)

  • Northville Solar Installation Cost: $12,298
  • 25-Year Savings: $11,127
  • Payback Period: 13.1 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

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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 Northville

Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Northville.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Northville, the average cost of solar panels is 2.73 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Northville is around 6.4 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,307 for a solar installation, or $17,599 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are just averages, and the cost of going solar for you may look different based on factors unique to your home and what company you go with. With typical savings of about $14,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Northville find investing in solar has a decent ROI.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Northville for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Northville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-12,220
3 years $-12,064
5 years $-11,908
7 years $-11,752
9 years $-11,595
11 years $-11,439
13 years $-11,283
15 years $-11,127
17 years $-10,971
19 years $-10,815
21 years $-10,658
23 years $-10,502
25 years $-10,346

Top Solar Installers in Northville

Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be hard. Another upside of using a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your ROI by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.

Working with a licensed solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:

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 Warranty Coverage

ADT Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

See all of the solar companies in Northville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northville

The cost of installing a solar system in Northville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest 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 influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it's a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that's in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable route because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you go with to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Northville, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger 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

The solar panel company you go with will influence not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should keep in mind, such as:

  • 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 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 Warranty Coverage

ADT Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

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.

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