Solar Panel Cost Guide in Belleville, IL (2024 Update)
- Belleville Solar Installation Cost: $16,000
- 25-Year Savings: $12,652
- Payback Period: 16.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Belleville
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Belleville.
In Belleville, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 6.1-kW system would cost about $16,000 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true cost of your system can be above or below the average in Belleville depending on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average Belleville homeowners see about $15,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Belleville that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Belleville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,149 |
| 3 years | $-13,448 |
| 5 years | $-11,746 |
| 7 years | $-10,045 |
| 9 years | $-8,344 |
| 11 years | $-6,643 |
| 13 years | $-4,941 |
| 15 years | $-3,240 |
| 17 years | $-1,539 |
| 19 years | $163 |
| 21 years | $1,864 |
| 23 years | $3,565 |
| 25 years | $5,267 |
Top Solar Installers in Belleville
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar panel company since installing solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. Since solar panels are exposed to rain, snow, hail and wind, depending on the climate, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. 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 Belleville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Belleville
The cost of installing a solar system in Belleville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, 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 installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,760 per kilowatt in Belleville.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Typically, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a solid option because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panels can influence how much you pay. Belleville’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $7,530 | 17.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $10,462 | 16.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $13,603 | 16.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $16,956 | 16.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $20,519 | 15.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $24,292 | 15.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $28,276 | 15.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $32,471 | 14.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you opt for 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:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you hire.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the total cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
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 Belleville, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Belleville?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, 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 higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Belleville?
Solar panels aren’t free in Belleville, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my electricity bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Belleville, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 higher amount 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.