Solar Panel Cost Guide in Posen, IL (2024 Update)

  • Posen Solar Installation Cost: $16,818
  • 25-Year Savings: $10,400
  • Payback Period: 18.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated April 21, 2024

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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 Posen

We go over average solar pricing in Posen.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Posen typically cost around 4.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Posen, most homeowners require a 6.4-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,818, or $24,050 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $13,000 over 20 years on energy bills.

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

Solar savings over time in Posen

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,662
3 years$-13,350
5 years$-11,038
7 years$-8,725
9 years$-6,413
11 years$-4,100
13 years$-1,788
15 years$524
17 years$2,837
19 years$5,149
21 years$7,461
23 years$9,774
25 years$12,086

Top Solar Installers in Posen

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel company since installing solar panels on your own can be hard. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, opting for a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.

You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:

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 for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • 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 Posen

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Posen

For many Posen homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Posen, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of 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 installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,760 per kilowatt in Posen.The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Posen average.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Posen to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest.It’s a good idea to factor the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The last significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Posen, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.91$16,424$4,80819.3 years
8 kW$3.84$21,477$6,83219.0 years
10 kW$3.76$26,320$9,06618.6 years
12 kW$3.68$30,952$11,51118.2 years
14 kW$3.61$35,374$14,16617.9 years
16 kW$3.53$39,585$17,03217.5 years
18 kW$3.46$43,586$20,10917.1 years
20 kW$3.38$47,376$23,39616.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies available in Posen, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
  • Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
  • Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.

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 for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Posen, IL Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally 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 additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Posen?

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it usually comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Posen?

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 give you credit toward your future power bills.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires 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 home 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.