Solar Panel Cost Guide in Orland Hills, IL (2023 Update)
- Orland Hills Solar Installation Cost: $12,211
- 25-Year Savings: $10,400
- Payback Period: 13.5 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Orland Hills
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Orland Hills.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Orland Hills is 2.73 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Orland Hills, most homeowners require a 6.4-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $12,211, or $17,462 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The true cost of your system can go above or below the average in Orland Hills depending on a few factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. Many homeowners find going solar is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Orland Hills can save around $13,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To get a free quote from a top solar installer in Orland Hills, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Orland Hills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,136 |
| 3 years | $-11,985 |
| 5 years | $-11,834 |
| 7 years | $-11,684 |
| 9 years | $-11,533 |
| 11 years | $-11,382 |
| 13 years | $-11,231 |
| 15 years | $-11,081 |
| 17 years | $-10,930 |
| 19 years | $-10,779 |
| 21 years | $-10,629 |
| 23 years | $-10,478 |
| 25 years | $-10,327 |
Top Solar Installers in Orland Hills
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels yourself can be challenging. Another perk of going with a solar company is that they can help you maximize your investment by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
Working with a professional solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Orland Hills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Orland Hills
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Orland Hills: 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
The size of the solar panel system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $2,730. The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond 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 looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Orland Hills, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. 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 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 finding a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you select will play a role in your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. The company's size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to greater 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 promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $9,307 | 14.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $12,715 | 13.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $16,276 | 13.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $19,990 | 13.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $23,856 | 13.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $27,876 | 12.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $32,048 | 12.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $36,374 | 12.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Orland Hills, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover panel repairs and maintenance over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Orland Hills, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Orland Hills?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Orland Hills?
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 don't have access to 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Does Orland Hills have a net metering program?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future energy bills.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.