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

  • Freeport Solar Installation Cost: $17,188
  • 25-Year Savings: $10,132
  • Payback Period: 19.0 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

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 Freeport

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Freeport.

In Freeport, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Freeport, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,188, or $24,579 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you will vary based on factors unique to your home and what company you want to go with.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $13,000 over 20 years on power bills.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Freeport that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Freeport

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-16,032
3 years $-13,720
5 years $-11,407
7 years $-9,095
9 years $-6,782
11 years $-4,470
13 years $-2,158
15 years $155
17 years $2,467
19 years $4,779
21 years $7,092
23 years $9,404
25 years $11,716

Top Solar Installers in Freeport

Although you can install solar panels yourself, it involves extra time and handiness. Because of that, almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. The payback period of solar panels will vary based on factors like your roof configuration and energy use, but going with a solar installer can help you reach a break-even point sooner. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.

There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. 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 Freeport

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Freeport

For many Freeport homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Freeport, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,760. 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 are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a solid choice because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Freeport, 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 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 add-on 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 $4,351 19.8 years
8 kW $3.84 $21,477 $6,223 19.4 years
10 kW $3.76 $26,320 $8,305 19.0 years
12 kW $3.68 $30,952 $10,598 18.6 years
14 kW $3.61 $35,374 $13,101 18.2 years
16 kW $3.53 $39,585 $15,815 17.9 years
18 kW $3.46 $43,586 $18,739 17.5 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,376 $21,874 17.1 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry different brands and types of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.

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 Freeport, IL Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?

Cost is definitely one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

How much can I save on power bills after installing solar panels?

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

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to 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.

Follow us