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

  • Pinckneyville Solar Installation Cost: $11,627
  • 25-Year Savings: $14,967
  • Payback Period: 10.9 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

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Pinckneyville

Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Pinckneyville.

In Pinckneyville, solar panels cost about 2.73 per watt on average. The average Pinckneyville homeowner needs a 6.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,619 with the federal tax credit, or $16,615 before the 30% tax credit is applied.

How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Pinckneyville depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire. Many homeowners find going solar is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Pinckneyville can save around $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years.

To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Pinckneyville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-11,539
3 years $-11,361
5 years $-11,184
7 years $-11,007
9 years $-10,829
11 years $-10,652
13 years $-10,475
15 years $-10,297
17 years $-10,120
19 years $-9,943
21 years $-9,766
23 years $-9,588
25 years $-9,411

Top Solar Installers in Pinckneyville

Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. The expertise that solar installers offer can be useful as well, especially if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.

Working with a professional solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. 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 Pinckneyville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pinckneyville

Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Pinckneyville: 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 price of a solar system in Pinckneyville, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home's energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,730 for each additional kilowatt you need. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. In general, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Pinckneyville to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest. It's wise to factor the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay back the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you go with to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Pinckneyville, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

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 $14,301 11.4 years
8 kW $2.78 $15,594 $19,373 11.1 years
10 kW $2.73 $19,110 $24,599 10.9 years
12 kW $2.68 $22,473 $29,977 10.7 years
14 kW $2.62 $25,684 $35,509 10.5 years
16 kW $2.57 $28,741 $41,193 10.3 years
18 kW $2.51 $31,646 $47,030 10.1 years
20 kW $2.46 $34,398 $53,020 9.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar company you go with will be a major factor in determining 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 several important things you should keep in mind, including:

  • Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one indication of a good company.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want to get plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system's energy production.

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 Pinckneyville, IL Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Pinckneyville?

This is a tough 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. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Pinckneyville?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property 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 financial benefits from going solar.

How will installing solar panels impact how much my home is worth?

Solar panels can increase your home value considerably 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% with a solar installation."

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.

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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