Solar Panel Cost Guide in Pittsfield, IL (2023 Update)
- Pittsfield Solar Installation Cost: $11,857
- 25-Year Savings: $16,856
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Pittsfield
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Pittsfield.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Pittsfield, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.73 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Pittsfield, most homeowners require a 6.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,848, or $16,943 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Pittsfield homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With typical savings of about $18,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Pittsfield find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Pittsfield for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Pittsfield
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,006 |
| 3 years | $-9,305 |
| 5 years | $-7,603 |
| 7 years | $-5,902 |
| 9 years | $-4,201 |
| 11 years | $-2,500 |
| 13 years | $-798 |
| 15 years | $903 |
| 17 years | $2,604 |
| 19 years | $4,306 |
| 21 years | $6,007 |
| 23 years | $7,708 |
| 25 years | $9,409 |
Top Solar Installers in Pittsfield
Trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a time-consuming project, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Local solar installers can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can take advantage of and by providing warranties and repairs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
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 Pittsfield
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pittsfield
For many Pittsfield homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Pittsfield, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably 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 adopting solar energy 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 $2,730 per kilowatt in Pittsfield. The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to think about 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Pittsfield to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it's important to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose to handle your switch to clean energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Pittsfield, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. The company's size can sometimes play the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion 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 | $15,842 | 10.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $21,428 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $27,167 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $33,060 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $39,105 | 9.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $45,302 | 9.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $51,653 | 9.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $58,157 | 9.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want to get plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Pittsfield, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Pittsfield?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Pittsfield?
Solar panels aren't free in Pittsfield, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Pittsfield?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future utility bills.
How many solar panels do I need 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.