Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rockton, IL (Mar 2023)
- Rockton Solar Installation Cost: $12,460
- 25-Year Savings: $13,486
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rockton
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in Rockton.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Rockton typically cost about 2.73. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Rockton, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,460, or $17,818 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Rockton homeowners. The price 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. Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Rockton can save about $15,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar panel company in Rockton for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Rockton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,422 |
| 3 years | $-9,346 |
| 5 years | $-7,271 |
| 7 years | $-5,195 |
| 9 years | $-3,119 |
| 11 years | $-1,043 |
| 13 years | $1,032 |
| 15 years | $3,108 |
| 17 years | $5,184 |
| 19 years | $7,259 |
| 21 years | $9,335 |
| 23 years | $11,411 |
| 25 years | $13,486 |
Top Solar Installers in Rockton
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in Rockton, optimizing your ROI.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 Rockton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rockton
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Rockton: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. That's why it's important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a popular route because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Rockton homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you go with to handle your switch to green energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies in Rockton, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have access to 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 | $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
There are a lot of companies available in Rockton, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar 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.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want to install 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 (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 Rockton, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install 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 actual cost will depend on certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Rockton is currently $160,279, so you could be looking at a value of about $6,571 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Rockton is a fruitful investment.
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 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 replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.