Solar Panel Cost Guide in Dupo, IL (2024 Update)

  • Dupo Solar Installation Cost: $15,978
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,292
  • Payback Period: 16.0 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Dupo

Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Dupo.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Dupo typically cost about 4.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Dupo, most homeowners require a 6.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $15,978, or $22,849 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

How much you pay can go above or below the average in Dupo depending on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Even with the large initial cost, the average Dupo homeowner can save around $16,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.

To receive a free quote from a highly rated solar installation company in Dupo, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Dupo

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 Dupo

Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Also, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, opting for a solar installer can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.

There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Dupo

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Dupo

There are many factors that can play into your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only 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 a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Dupo, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger 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 solar company you opt for to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies operating in Dupo, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — 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 decide on the 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 $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

There are a lot of companies available in Dupo, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely offer quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Contract: When reading over your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
  • 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

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Dupo, IL Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Dupo?

The average cost of solar panels in Dupo 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 such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Dupo?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of 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 bang for your buck from going solar.

Is it worth going solar in Dupo?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

How long do solar panels last in Dupo?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 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.

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