Solar Panel Cost Guide in Woodridge, IL (2023 Update)
- Woodridge Solar Installation Cost: $12,345
- 25-Year Savings: $10,841
- Payback Period: 13.3 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Woodridge
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Woodridge.
In Woodridge, solar panels cost about 2.73 per watt on average. Because a 6.5-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Woodridge, the average price of going solar will be about $12,345 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Woodridge can save around $14,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Woodridge
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,189 |
| 3 years | $-8,876 |
| 5 years | $-6,564 |
| 7 years | $-4,252 |
| 9 years | $-1,939 |
| 11 years | $373 |
| 13 years | $2,685 |
| 15 years | $4,998 |
| 17 years | $7,310 |
| 19 years | $9,622 |
| 21 years | $11,935 |
| 23 years | $14,247 |
| 25 years | $16,559 |
Top Solar Installers in Woodridge
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since installing solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. The expertise that solar companies offer can be invaluable as well, particularly if you aren't sure what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a vetted solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Woodridge
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Woodridge
For many Woodridge homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Woodridge, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you choose 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
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are available from most installers in Woodridge, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose will play a role in your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle 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 | $2.84 | $11,925 | $9,610 | 13.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $13,119 | 13.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $16,781 | 13.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $20,596 | 13.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $24,563 | 12.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $28,684 | 12.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $32,958 | 12.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $37,384 | 12.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from past customers.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Woodridge, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Woodridge?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Woodridge?
Solar panels aren't free in Woodridge, 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 you can take advantage of.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Woodridge?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.