Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rochelle, IL (Mar 2023)
- Rochelle Solar Installation Cost: $12,383
- 25-Year Savings: $12,469
- Payback Period: 12.5 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rochelle
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Rochelle.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Rochelle, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.73 per watt. The average Rochelle homeowner needs a 6.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,383 with the federal tax credit, or $17,708 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Rochelle 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 average savings of about $15,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Rochelle find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Rochelle
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,389 |
| 3 years | $-9,401 |
| 5 years | $-7,413 |
| 7 years | $-5,425 |
| 9 years | $-3,437 |
| 11 years | $-1,448 |
| 13 years | $540 |
| 15 years | $2,528 |
| 17 years | $4,516 |
| 19 years | $6,504 |
| 21 years | $8,492 |
| 23 years | $10,481 |
| 25 years | $12,469 |
Top Solar Installers in Rochelle
Trying to install solar panels yourself can be a stressful task, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Companies can also offer access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you pick which one will be right for your home.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much your investment in solar 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 (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Rochelle
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rochelle
The cost of installing a solar system in Rochelle can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in Rochelle, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home's energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by around $2,730 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Rochelle, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Rochelle, which can lower, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Rochelle, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It's best to do some research and choose a company that offers the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fit into your budget.
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 | $11,080 | 13.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $15,079 | 12.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $19,231 | 12.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $23,536 | 12.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $27,994 | 12.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $32,604 | 11.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $37,368 | 11.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $42,284 | 11.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want to install plays a role in which company you should opt for, since different companies provide different panels.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're aligned with the company regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Reputation: Well-established companies likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Rochelle, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Rochelle?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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 extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't go 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?
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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having 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.