Solar Panel Cost Guide in Park Forest, IL (2024 Update)
- Park Forest Solar Installation Cost: $16,907
- 25-Year Savings: $11,997
- Payback Period: 18.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Park Forest
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Park Forest.
The average cost of solar panels in Park Forest is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Park Forest, most homeowners require a 6.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,907, or $24,177 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and your own solar costs may look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Park Forest can save about $13,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Park Forest
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,751 |
| 3 years | $-13,439 |
| 5 years | $-11,127 |
| 7 years | $-8,814 |
| 9 years | $-6,502 |
| 11 years | $-4,189 |
| 13 years | $-1,877 |
| 15 years | $435 |
| 17 years | $2,748 |
| 19 years | $5,060 |
| 21 years | $7,372 |
| 23 years | $9,685 |
| 25 years | $11,997 |
Top Solar Installers in Park Forest
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to install solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Solar warranties and repairs are usually included in the cost of installation when you sign a contract with a solar company as well, which can save you more money over time.
Working with a licensed solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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
See all of the solar companies in Park Forest
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Park Forest
For many Park Forest homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Park Forest, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that significantly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,760 per kilowatt in Park Forest.The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is difficult, solar loans are a solid option because they lower 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 more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panels can play a part in determining your pricing. Park Forest’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size can sometimes play the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower 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 | $4,696 | 19.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $6,683 | 19.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $8,880 | 18.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $11,287 | 18.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $13,906 | 17.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $16,734 | 17.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $19,774 | 17.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $23,023 | 16.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, including:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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
EcoWatch's Park Forest, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Park Forest?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will installing solar panels impact my home value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Park Forest is currently $138,969, which means you could be looking at a value of about $5,698 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Park Forest is a fruitful investment.
How long do solar panels last in Park Forest?
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to 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.