Solar Panel Cost Guide in Wheaton, IL (2024 Update)
- Wheaton Solar Installation Cost: $17,196
- 25-Year Savings: $11,083
- Payback Period: 18.2 Years
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Updated February 03, 2024
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Wheaton
See how much it might cost to go solar in Wheaton.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Wheaton is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 6.5-kW system would cost about $17,196 before the 0 federal solar 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 needs, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $14,000 over 20 years on power bills.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Wheaton
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-16,040 |
3 years | $-13,728 |
5 years | $-11,415 |
7 years | $-9,103 |
9 years | $-6,791 |
11 years | $-4,478 |
13 years | $-2,166 |
15 years | $146 |
17 years | $2,459 |
19 years | $4,771 |
21 years | $7,083 |
23 years | $9,396 |
25 years | $11,708 |
Top Solar Installers in Wheaton
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Another good thing about choosing a reliable solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Wheaton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Wheaton
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that affect your total cost in Wheaton: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. 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 average energy use.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to install 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
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Wheaton homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Wheaton homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. 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
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panels can influence your pricing. Wheaton’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size sometimes plays the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
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 | $5,220 | 19.0 years |
8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $7,381 | 18.6 years |
10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $9,752 | 18.2 years |
12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $12,334 | 17.9 years |
14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $15,127 | 17.5 years |
16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $18,130 | 17.1 years |
18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $21,344 | 16.8 years |
20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $24,769 | 16.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in Wheaton, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you’d like to install plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years most likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Wheaton, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Wheaton?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly 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 additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Wheaton?
A solar panel system isn’t free in Wheaton, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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.