Solar Panel Cost Guide in Blackhawk, IL (2024 Update)
- Blackhawk Solar Installation Cost: $16,986
- 25-Year Savings: $7,454
- Payback Period: 21.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Blackhawk
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Blackhawk.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Blackhawk typically cost around 4.The average Blackhawk homeowner needs a 6.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,986 with the federal tax credit, or $24,290 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The true price you pay can be above or below the average in Blackhawk based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Even with the large upfront cost, the average Blackhawk homeowner can save around $12,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in Blackhawk that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Blackhawk
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,145 |
| 3 years | $-14,463 |
| 5 years | $-12,781 |
| 7 years | $-11,099 |
| 9 years | $-9,417 |
| 11 years | $-7,735 |
| 13 years | $-6,053 |
| 15 years | $-4,371 |
| 17 years | $-2,689 |
| 19 years | $-1,007 |
| 21 years | $675 |
| 23 years | $2,357 |
| 25 years | $4,039 |
Top Solar Installers in Blackhawk
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since installing a solar system yourself can be a time-consuming project. Solar installers offer key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 Blackhawk
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Blackhawk
While the average cost of a solar system in Blackhawk is $16,986, your actual cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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 greater savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Blackhawk to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest.When trying to figure out 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
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panel system can affect how much it costs. Blackhawk’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Blackhawk know more about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you 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 | $3.91 | $16,424 | $1,972 | 22.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $3,051 | 21.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $4,340 | 21.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $5,839 | 21.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $7,549 | 20.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $9,470 | 20.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $11,602 | 19.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $13,943 | 19.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you opt for will influence not only your total costs, but also the types 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:
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- 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.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion 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 Blackhawk, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Blackhawk?
The average cost of solar panels in Blackhawk is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the type 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 Blackhawk?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Blackhawk?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future utility bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having 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.