Solar Panel Cost Guide in Braidwood, IL (2024 Update)
- Braidwood Solar Installation Cost: $16,967
- 25-Year Savings: $10,292
- Payback Period: 18.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Braidwood
We go over average solar pricing in Braidwood.
In Braidwood, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Because a 6.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Braidwood, the average price of going solar will be about $16,967 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The true price you pay can be above or below the average in Braidwood depending on a variety of factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Even with the significant initial cost, the average Braidwood homeowner can save about $13,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To receive a free quote from a top solar company in Braidwood, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Braidwood
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,811 |
| 3 years | $-13,499 |
| 5 years | $-11,186 |
| 7 years | $-8,874 |
| 9 years | $-6,562 |
| 11 years | $-4,249 |
| 13 years | $-1,937 |
| 15 years | $375 |
| 17 years | $2,688 |
| 19 years | $5,000 |
| 21 years | $7,312 |
| 23 years | $9,625 |
| 25 years | $11,937 |
Top Solar Installers in Braidwood
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance in the long run.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers 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 Braidwood
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Braidwood
Though the average cost of a solar system in Braidwood is $16,967, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are many factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $3,760. The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will largely affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Braidwood homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s vital to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installation company you select will play a role in your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 | $3.91 | $16,424 | $4,622 | 19.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $6,583 | 19.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $8,755 | 18.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $11,138 | 18.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $13,732 | 18.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $16,535 | 17.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $19,550 | 17.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $22,775 | 16.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will impact not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, such as:
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the overall cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated 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.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. Confirm that you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
- 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.
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 Braidwood, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Braidwood?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Braidwood?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Braidwood. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How many solar panels should I get 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 generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home 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.