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

  • Rockford Solar Installation Cost: $17,167
  • 25-Year Savings: $10,814
  • Payback Period: 18.4 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 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 Rockford

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Rockford.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Rockford it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Rockford, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,167, or $24,549 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

How much you pay can go above or below the average in Rockford depending on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Even with the large initial cost, the average Rockford homeowner can save about $14,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.

To receive a free quote from a vetted solar installation company in Rockford, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Rockford

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-16,011
3 years $-13,698
5 years $-11,386
7 years $-9,074
9 years $-6,761
11 years $-4,449
13 years $-2,137
15 years $176
17 years $2,488
19 years $4,801
21 years $7,113
23 years $9,425
25 years $11,738

Top Solar Installers in Rockford

Many homeowners decide to use a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Another good thing about using a reliable solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar system over time.

If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Rockford, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:

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 Rockford

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rockford

There are a number of criteria that can play into your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Rockford, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,760 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Typically, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you’re looking to get 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

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in Rockford, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s crucial to consider that as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can impact your pricing. Rockford’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle 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 $3.91 $16,424 $4,990 19.2 years
8 kW $3.84 $21,477 $7,075 18.8 years
10 kW $3.76 $26,320 $9,370 18.4 years
12 kW $3.68 $30,952 $11,876 18.1 years
14 kW $3.61 $35,374 $14,592 17.7 years
16 kW $3.53 $39,585 $17,519 17.3 years
18 kW $3.46 $43,586 $20,656 17.0 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,376 $24,004 16.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Contract: Though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable 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 research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you opt for.

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 Rockford, IL Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Rockford is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

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

Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside 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.

Do solar panels increase the value of your home?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably 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 many solar panels should I get to power my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out 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 house 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.

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