Solar Panel Cost Guide in Eureka, IL (2025 Update)

  • Eureka Solar Installation Cost: $16,751
  • 25-Year Savings: $11,806
  • Payback Period: 17.5 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Eureka

See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Eureka.

In Eureka, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 6.4-kW system would cost about $16,751 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Eureka depending on several factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.With average savings of about $14,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Eureka find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.

To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Eureka

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,900
3 years$-14,199
5 years$-12,498
7 years$-10,797
9 years$-9,095
11 years$-7,394
13 years$-5,693
15 years$-3,991
17 years$-2,290
19 years$-589
21 years$1,113
23 years$2,814
25 years$4,515

Top Solar Installers in Eureka

Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Going with a solar panel installer can make your swap to solar power much easier. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:

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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 Eureka

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Eureka

Although the average cost of a solar system in Eureka is $16,751, your final cost may be above or below the average. There are many factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,760 per kilowatt in Eureka.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Eureka, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Eureka to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Eureka, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.91$16,424$6,17218.2 years
8 kW$3.84$21,477$8,65017.8 years
10 kW$3.76$26,320$11,33917.5 years
12 kW$3.68$30,952$14,23917.1 years
14 kW$3.61$35,374$17,34916.8 years
16 kW$3.53$39,585$20,67016.4 years
18 kW$3.46$43,586$24,20116.1 years
20 kW$3.38$47,376$27,94215.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of companies available in Eureka, 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: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
  • Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, be sure to look it over completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you aren’t sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and what services you can expect from them.
  • Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
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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 Eureka, IL Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Eureka?

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

Are solar panels free in Eureka?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Eureka. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Can solar panels completely eradicate my energy bills?

It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Eureka, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How long do solar panels last in Eureka?

Although 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.