Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northbrook, OH (Mar 2023)
- Northbrook Solar Installation Cost: $13,243
- 25-Year Savings: $15,013
- Payback Period: 11.7 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Northbrook
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Northbrook.
In Northbrook, solar panels cost about 2.56 per watt on average. Because a 7.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Northbrook, the average price of going solar will be about $13,243 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
These figures are just estimates, and your own solar costs may differ based on your specific situation and what company you go with. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on power bills.
For a free quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Northbrook
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,113 |
| 3 years | $-9,852 |
| 5 years | $-7,592 |
| 7 years | $-5,331 |
| 9 years | $-3,071 |
| 11 years | $-810 |
| 13 years | $1,450 |
| 15 years | $3,711 |
| 17 years | $5,971 |
| 19 years | $8,231 |
| 21 years | $10,492 |
| 23 years | $12,752 |
| 25 years | $15,013 |
Top Solar Installers in Northbrook
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Using a solar company can make converting to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar companies provide can be valuable as well, particularly if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're looking for a solar company in Northbrook, we've put together a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Northbrook
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northbrook
There are a number of criteria that can determine your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Northbrook, one of the most important 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 usage, which you can figure out by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by around $2,560 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Northbrook homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it's vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Northbrook is the company you get to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. Additionally, some companies in Northbrook know more about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.66 | $11,182 | $11,764 | 12.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $15,972 | 11.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $20,323 | 11.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $24,818 | 11.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $29,456 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $34,237 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $39,162 | 10.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $44,230 | 10.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will impact not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should consider, including:
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two 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 good reviews from past customers.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system's energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you'd like plays a part in which company you should opt for, since different companies have different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Northbrook, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Northbrook?
The average cost of solar panels in Northbrook is about $12,800 for a 5-kW system and $25,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Northbrook?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside 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 incentives and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Northbrook?
The majority of states have 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 energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.