Solar Panel Cost Guide in Seward, IL (Mar 2023)
- Seward Solar Installation Cost: $12,383
- 25-Year Savings: $10,680
- Payback Period: 13.4 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Seward
See how much it might cost to go solar in Seward.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Seward typically cost around 2.73. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Seward, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,383, or $17,708 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Seward can save around $14,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Seward
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,461 |
| 3 years | $-9,616 |
| 5 years | $-7,771 |
| 7 years | $-5,925 |
| 9 years | $-4,080 |
| 11 years | $-2,235 |
| 13 years | $-390 |
| 15 years | $1,455 |
| 17 years | $3,300 |
| 19 years | $5,145 |
| 21 years | $6,990 |
| 23 years | $8,835 |
| 25 years | $10,680 |
Top Solar Installers in Seward
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it involves extra labor and knowledge. For that reason, the majority of homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Also, companies with a high reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long term due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Seward:
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 Seward
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Seward
The cost of installing a solar system in Seward can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in Seward, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by around $2,730 for each additional kilowatt you need. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Seward average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a solid option because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Seward, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying 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 cost more. It's best to do some research and choose a company that provides the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $9,430 | 14.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $12,879 | 13.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $16,481 | 13.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $20,236 | 13.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $24,144 | 12.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $28,204 | 12.6 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $32,418 | 12.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $36,784 | 12.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, including:
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it's essential to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. Confirm that you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
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 Seward, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Seward?
The average cost of solar panels in Seward 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 stuff such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in Seward?
You can't get solar panels for free in Seward. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Does Seward have a net metering program?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either be compensated for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels 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 typically 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.