Solar Panel Cost Guide in Wheeling, IL (2025 Update)
- Wheeling Solar Installation Cost: $16,818
- 25-Year Savings: $10,400
- Payback Period: 18.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Wheeling
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Wheeling.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Wheeling typically cost around 4.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Wheeling, most homeowners require a 6.4-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,818, or $24,050 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and the cost of going solar for you will most likely vary based on your specific situation and what company you choose to go with.Even with the large initial cost, the average Wheeling homeowner can save about $13,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Wheeling
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-15,662 |
3 years | $-13,350 |
5 years | $-11,038 |
7 years | $-8,725 |
9 years | $-6,413 |
11 years | $-4,100 |
13 years | $-1,788 |
15 years | $524 |
17 years | $2,837 |
19 years | $5,149 |
21 years | $7,461 |
23 years | $9,774 |
25 years | $12,086 |
Top Solar Installers in Wheeling
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a time-consuming undertaking, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Local solar installers 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 switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Wheeling:
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 Wheeling
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Wheeling
For many Wheeling homeowners, the decision to go solar comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Wheeling, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Wheeling, one of the most crucial 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 energy bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,760 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Wheeling, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Wheeling to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Wheeling, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, 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 size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
---|---|---|---|---|
6 kW | $3.91 | $16,424 | $4,808 | 19.3 years |
8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $6,832 | 19.0 years |
10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $9,066 | 18.6 years |
12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $11,511 | 18.2 years |
14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $14,166 | 17.9 years |
16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $17,032 | 17.5 years |
18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $20,109 | 17.1 years |
20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $23,396 | 16.7 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 pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, be sure to look it over 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 component breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you go with.
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 Wheeling, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Wheeling?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different 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 other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Wheeling?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Wheeling. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Wheeling is currently $262,332, which means you could be looking at a value of about $10,756 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Wheeling is a worthwhile investment.
How long do solar panels last in Wheeling?
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 replace them once you've had 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.