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

  • Rockton Solar Installation Cost: $12,464
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,482
  • Payback Period: 12.0 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

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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 Rockton

Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Rockton.

In Rockton, solar panels cost about 2.73 per watt on average. Using this figure, a typical 6.5-kW system would cost about $12,460 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are just averages, and your own solar costs may differ based on your specific situation and what company you choose to go with. For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average Rockton homeowners see about $15,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in Rockton for a customized estimate.

Solar savings over time in Rockton

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-11,308
3 years $-8,996
5 years $-6,683
7 years $-4,371
9 years $-2,059
11 years $254
13 years $2,566
15 years $4,878
17 years $7,191
19 years $9,503
21 years $11,816
23 years $14,128
25 years $16,440

Top Solar Installers in Rockton

Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Hiring a solar panel installer can make converting to solar power much easier. Also, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar, opting for a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.

There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:

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 Rockton

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rockton

For many Rockton homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Rockton, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

One of the most significant 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 electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $2,730 per kilowatt in Rockton. The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to decide on 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 Rockton to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it's important to take that into consideration as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installation company you choose will play a role in your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.

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 $11,943 12.5 years
8 kW $2.78 $15,594 $16,230 12.3 years
10 kW $2.73 $19,110 $20,670 12.0 years
12 kW $2.68 $22,473 $25,262 11.8 years
14 kW $2.62 $25,684 $30,008 11.5 years
16 kW $2.57 $28,741 $34,906 11.3 years
18 kW $2.51 $31,646 $39,958 11.0 years
20 kW $2.46 $34,398 $45,162 10.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the brand of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want to get plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
  • 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 likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.

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 Rockton, IL Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Rockton is about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?

Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

Is it worth going solar in Rockton?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to 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.

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