Solar Panel Cost Guide in Carpentersville, IL (2024 Update)
- Carpentersville Solar Installation Cost: $17,188
- 25-Year Savings: $10,132
- Payback Period: 19.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Carpentersville
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Carpentersville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Carpentersville it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 6.5-kW system would cost about $17,188 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only averages, and the cost of going solar for you may look different based on your energy needs and what company you want to go with.Despite the high upfront cost, the average Carpentersville homeowner can save about $13,000 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 vetted solar company in Carpentersville for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in Carpentersville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,032 |
| 3 years | $-13,719 |
| 5 years | $-11,407 |
| 7 years | $-9,094 |
| 9 years | $-6,782 |
| 11 years | $-4,470 |
| 13 years | $-2,157 |
| 15 years | $155 |
| 17 years | $2,467 |
| 19 years | $4,780 |
| 21 years | $7,092 |
| 23 years | $9,404 |
| 25 years | $11,717 |
Top Solar Installers in Carpentersville
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it takes extra energy and know-how. That's why most homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Local solar companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can benefit from and by providing warranties and repairs.
Working with a licensed solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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 Carpentersville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Carpentersville
The cost of installing a solar system in Carpentersville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted 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 limited roof space 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 Carpentersville to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to a higher cost over time because of interest.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you pick will play a role in your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fit into your budget.
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 | $4,352 | 19.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $6,223 | 19.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $8,306 | 19.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $10,599 | 18.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $13,102 | 18.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $15,816 | 17.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $18,740 | 17.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $21,875 | 17.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you go with.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable 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 satisfied reviews from previous customers.
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 Carpentersville, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Carpentersville?
The average cost of solar panels in Carpentersville 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 model 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 Carpentersville?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to 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 home 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
How will solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for 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 a solar system."
How long do solar panels last in Carpentersville?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.