Solar Panel Cost Guide in Columbia, IL (2024 Update)
- Columbia Solar Installation Cost: $15,978
- 25-Year Savings: $13,292
- Payback Period: 16.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Columbia
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Columbia.
In Columbia, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Because a 6.1-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Columbia, the average price of going solar will be about $15,978 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
How much you pay can be above or below the average in Columbia based on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.With typical savings of about $16,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Columbia find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.
To receive a free quote from a highly rated solar company in Columbia, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Columbia
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,127 |
| 3 years | $-13,426 |
| 5 years | $-11,725 |
| 7 years | $-10,023 |
| 9 years | $-8,322 |
| 11 years | $-6,621 |
| 13 years | $-4,919 |
| 15 years | $-3,218 |
| 17 years | $-1,517 |
| 19 years | $184 |
| 21 years | $1,886 |
| 23 years | $3,587 |
| 25 years | $5,288 |
Top Solar Installers in Columbia
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to hire a solar company since handling can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar companies provide can be valuable as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what type of solar equipment you need.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
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 Columbia
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Columbia
The cost of installing a solar system in Columbia can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. Generally, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in Columbia, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.It’s wise to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in Columbia, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle 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 | $8,179 | 16.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $11,327 | 16.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $14,685 | 16.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $18,253 | 15.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $22,032 | 15.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $26,022 | 15.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $30,222 | 14.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $34,633 | 14.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of options before deciding.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 Columbia, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Columbia?
The average cost of solar panels in Columbia is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
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 do I need to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses 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 household 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.