Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Rock Island, IL (2024 Update)

  • South Rock Island Solar Installation Cost: $16,986
  • 25-Year Savings: $7,454
  • Payback Period: 21.5 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 South Rock Island

Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in South Rock Island.

Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in South Rock Island generally cost about 4.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in South Rock Island, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,986, or $24,290 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

These figures are only averages, and the cost of going solar for you will most likely look different based on your energy needs and what company you want to go with.Many homeowners find going solar is a solid investment. The average homeowner in South Rock Island can save about $12,000 on their power bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in South Rock Island for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in South Rock Island

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-16,145
3 years $-14,463
5 years $-12,781
7 years $-11,099
9 years $-9,417
11 years $-7,735
13 years $-6,053
15 years $-4,371
17 years $-2,689
19 years $-1,007
21 years $675
23 years $2,357
25 years $4,039

Top Solar Installers in South Rock Island

When going solar, many homeowners opt to use a solar installation company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. Local solar installation companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can benefit from and by offering warranties and repairs.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:

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 South Rock Island

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Rock Island

The cost of installing a solar system in South Rock Island can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in South Rock Island, 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 figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,760 for each additional kilowatt you need.The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Moreover, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider 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’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in South Rock Island to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for South Rock Island homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar system can influence the cost. South Rock Island’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to 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 want and also fits within 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 $3.91 $16,424 $1,972 22.3 years
8 kW $3.84 $21,477 $3,051 21.9 years
10 kW $3.76 $26,320 $4,340 21.5 years
12 kW $3.68 $30,952 $5,839 21.0 years
14 kW $3.61 $35,374 $7,549 20.6 years
16 kW $3.53 $39,585 $9,470 20.2 years
18 kW $3.46 $43,586 $11,602 19.7 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,376 $13,943 19.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

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

  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you hire.
  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
  • Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, make sure you read it through completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not certain about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
  • Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one indication of a quality company.

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 South Rock Island, IL Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in South Rock Island?

This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in South Rock Island?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.

How will having solar panels impact how much my home is worth?

Solar panels can increase your home value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."

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.

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