Solar Panel Cost Guide in Tuscola, IL (2024 Update)
- Tuscola Solar Installation Cost: $16,547
- 25-Year Savings: $15,152
- Payback Period: 15.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Tuscola
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Tuscola.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Tuscola, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average Tuscola homeowner needs a 6.3-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,547 with the federal tax credit, or $23,662 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.Even with the high initial cost, the average Tuscola homeowner can save around $16,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
To get a free estimate from a top solar installation company in Tuscola, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Tuscola
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,697 |
| 3 years | $-13,996 |
| 5 years | $-12,294 |
| 7 years | $-10,593 |
| 9 years | $-8,892 |
| 11 years | $-7,190 |
| 13 years | $-5,489 |
| 15 years | $-3,788 |
| 17 years | $-2,087 |
| 19 years | $-385 |
| 21 years | $1,316 |
| 23 years | $3,017 |
| 25 years | $4,719 |
Top Solar Installers in Tuscola
Trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a difficult project, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over the lifespan of your panels.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- 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 Tuscola
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Tuscola
The cost of installing a solar system in Tuscola can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest 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
The size of the solar system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,760. 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 greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Tuscola to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.Even though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Tuscola homeowners, they can also add to 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 cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you go with to handle your switch to sustainable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating in Tuscola, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $9,502 | 15.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $13,091 | 15.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $16,890 | 15.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $20,899 | 14.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $25,120 | 14.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $29,550 | 14.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $34,192 | 14.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $39,043 | 13.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you opt for will impact not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, such as:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer in regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: When reading through your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want to install plays a part in which company you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Tuscola, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Tuscola?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Tuscola?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback 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 option if you want to maximize your savings.
Does Tuscola have a net metering program?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to 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.