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

  • Hinsdale Solar Installation Cost: $17,005
  • 25-Year Savings: $10,265
  • Payback Period: 18.8 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 Hinsdale

We break down average solar pricing in Hinsdale.

In Hinsdale, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Hinsdale, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,005, or $24,317 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The exact cost of going solar can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what company you go with.Despite the significant initial cost, the average Hinsdale homeowner can save about $13,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Hinsdale for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Hinsdale

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,849
3 years $-13,537
5 years $-11,224
7 years $-8,912
9 years $-6,600
11 years $-4,287
13 years $-1,975
15 years $337
17 years $2,650
19 years $4,962
21 years $7,274
23 years $9,587
25 years $11,899

Top Solar Installers in Hinsdale

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since trying to install solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. The payback period on a solar system will vary depending on factors like your roof configuration and energy use, but working with a solar company can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.

There are various 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 Hinsdale

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hinsdale

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

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a 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 limited roof space 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. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Hinsdale homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s important to take that into consideration as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Lastly, the company you get to install your solar system can influence how much you pay. Hinsdale’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to 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 cost more. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that provides 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 $4,575 19.6 years
8 kW $3.84 $21,477 $6,521 19.2 years
10 kW $3.76 $26,320 $8,677 18.8 years
12 kW $3.68 $30,952 $11,044 18.4 years
14 kW $3.61 $35,374 $13,622 18.0 years
16 kW $3.53 $39,585 $16,410 17.7 years
18 kW $3.46 $43,586 $19,409 17.3 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,376 $22,618 16.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

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

  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
  • Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.

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 Hinsdale, IL Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Hinsdale 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 kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Are solar panels free in Hinsdale?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Hinsdale. However, you may still be able to install 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.

How much can I save on electricity bills after switching to solar?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you’re located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $699.94 per year.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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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