Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Chicago, IN (2023 Update)
- East Chicago Solar Installation Cost: $16,772
- 25-Year Savings: $31,050
- Payback Period: 8.8 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in East Chicago
Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in East Chicago.
In East Chicago, solar panels cost about 2.68 per watt on average. The average East Chicago homeowner needs a 8.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,771 with the federal tax credit, or $23,983 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you will most likely differ based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with. But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $20,000 over 20 years on power bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar panel company in East Chicago for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in East Chicago
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,053 |
| 3 years | $-11,613 |
| 5 years | $-8,174 |
| 7 years | $-4,734 |
| 9 years | $-1,295 |
| 11 years | $2,145 |
| 13 years | $5,584 |
| 15 years | $9,023 |
| 17 years | $12,463 |
| 19 years | $15,902 |
| 21 years | $19,342 |
| 23 years | $22,781 |
| 25 years | $26,221 |
Top Solar Installers in East Chicago
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it takes extra time and know-how. That's why most people choose to go with a solar panel installer. A solar company can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. 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 Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in East Chicago
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Chicago
The cost of installing a solar system in East Chicago can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $2,680 per kilowatt in East Chicago. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price 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 raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in East Chicago to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company 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. It's a good idea to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in East Chicago is the company you choose to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there's no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $2.79 | $11,706 | $20,387 | 9.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.73 | $15,308 | $27,483 | 8.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.68 | $18,760 | $34,729 | 8.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.63 | $22,062 | $42,125 | 8.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.57 | $25,213 | $49,671 | 8.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.52 | $28,215 | $57,367 | 8.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,067 | $65,213 | 8.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.41 | $33,768 | $73,210 | 7.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar installer, be sure to read it through fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you aren't sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
- Warranty: A high-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: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's East Chicago, IN Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in East Chicago?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,400 for a 5-kW system and $26,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my energy bills?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout East Chicago, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you'll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How long do solar panels last in East Chicago?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
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.