Solar Panel Cost Guide in Swansea, IL (2024 Update)

  • Swansea Solar Installation Cost: $16,000
  • 25-Year Savings: $12,018
  • Payback Period: 16.9 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 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 Swansea

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Swansea.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Swansea it’s 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Swansea is around 6.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $16,000 for a solar installation, or $22,880 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

The actual price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Swansea depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on utility bills.

To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Swansea

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,149
3 years$-13,448
5 years$-11,746
7 years$-10,045
9 years$-8,344
11 years$-6,643
13 years$-4,941
15 years$-3,240
17 years$-1,539
19 years$163
21 years$1,864
23 years$3,565
25 years$5,267

Top Solar Installers in Swansea

Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel installer since installing solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Plus, if you’re not certain what type of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Swansea:

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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 Swansea

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Swansea

Although the average cost of a solar system in Swansea is $16,000, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof 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 increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Swansea, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.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 can only 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 interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installer you choose to handle your switch to green energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Swansea, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.The company’s size can sometimes play the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of 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 lower to compete with bigger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.91$16,424$6,90417.6 years
8 kW$3.84$21,477$9,62717.3 years
10 kW$3.76$26,320$12,56016.9 years
12 kW$3.68$30,952$15,70416.6 years
14 kW$3.61$35,374$19,05816.2 years
16 kW$3.53$39,585$22,62315.9 years
18 kW$3.46$43,586$26,39815.6 years
20 kW$3.38$47,376$30,38415.2 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Warranty: If you’re concerned about the endurance of your solar panel system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
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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 Swansea, IL Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Swansea 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 things like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Are solar panels free in Swansea?

Solar panels aren’t free in Swansea, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.

How will having solar panels impact the value of my home?

Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably 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% with a solar installation."

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.