Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Rock Island, IL (2025 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 January 24, 2025

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in South Rock Island, the typical cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average South Rock Island homeowner needs a 6.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,986 with the federal tax credit, or $24,290 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $12,000 over 20 years on energy bills.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in South Rock Island for a custom quote.

Solar savings over time in South Rock Island

YearReturn 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

Many homeowners choose to use a solar installation company since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be hard. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you better understand incentives in South Rock Island, optimizing your ROI.

If you're looking for a solar installer in South Rock Island, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:

Advertisement

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

There are several criteria that can affect your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a solid choice because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.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 securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you pick will play a role in your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.91$16,424$1,97222.3 years
8 kW$3.84$21,477$3,05121.9 years
10 kW$3.76$26,320$4,34021.5 years
12 kW$3.68$30,952$5,83921.0 years
14 kW$3.61$35,374$7,54920.6 years
16 kW$3.53$39,585$9,47020.2 years
18 kW$3.46$43,586$11,60219.7 years
20 kW$3.38$47,376$13,94319.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies to choose from in South Rock Island, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of options before deciding.
  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
  • Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, be sure to read it through completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
  • Warranty: If you’re worried about the endurance of your solar panel system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
Advertisement

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?

The average cost of solar panels in South Rock Island 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 stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in South Rock Island?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it typically 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.

How will having solar panels impact my property value?

Solar panels can increase your property’s value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for 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 a solar system."

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses 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 home 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.