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

  • Hainesville Solar Installation Cost: $16,643
  • 25-Year Savings: $10,528
  • Payback Period: 18.4 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 Hainesville

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

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Hainesville, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.Because a 6.3-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in Hainesville, the average price of going solar will be about $16,643 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $14,000 over 20 years on utility bills.

Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in Hainesville for a personalized quote.

Solar savings over time in Hainesville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,487
3 years $-13,174
5 years $-10,862
7 years $-8,550
9 years $-6,237
11 years $-3,925
13 years $-1,612
15 years $700
17 years $3,012
19 years $5,325
21 years $7,637
23 years $9,949
25 years $12,262

Top Solar Installers in Hainesville

Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it requires extra labor and handiness. Because of that, most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. Companies can also offer access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be best for you.

You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in Hainesville:

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 Hainesville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hainesville

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

Solar Equipment

One of the most significant 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 electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,760 per kilowatt in Hainesville.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Hainesville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of 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 Hainesville to be prohibitively expensive, 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 result in higher prices over time due to interest.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Hainesville homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Hainesville is the company you hire to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within 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 $5,032 19.1 years
8 kW $3.84 $21,477 $7,130 18.8 years
10 kW $3.76 $26,320 $9,439 18.4 years
12 kW $3.68 $30,952 $11,959 18.0 years
14 kW $3.61 $35,374 $14,689 17.7 years
16 kW $3.53 $39,585 $17,630 17.3 years
18 kW $3.46 $43,586 $20,781 16.9 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,376 $24,143 16.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you’d like to get plays a role in which installer you should opt for, since different companies have different panels.
  • Reputation: Well-established companies likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
  • Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.

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 Hainesville, IL Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many 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 more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Is making the switch to solar worth it?

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

How long do solar panels last in Hainesville?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.

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