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

  • Itasca Solar Installation Cost: $17,196
  • 25-Year Savings: $10,126
  • 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

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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 Itasca

We break down average solar pricing in Itasca.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Itasca, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Itasca, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,196, or $24,590 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The true cost of your system can be above or below the average in Itasca based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.Despite the large upfront cost, the average Itasca homeowner can save around $13,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in your area for a custom estimate.

Solar savings over time in Itasca

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-16,040
3 years $-13,728
5 years $-11,415
7 years $-9,103
9 years $-6,791
11 years $-4,478
13 years $-2,166
15 years $146
17 years $2,459
19 years $4,771
21 years $7,083
23 years $9,396
25 years $11,708

Top Solar Installers in Itasca

Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since installing solar panels by yourself can be challenging. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel company can protect your investment and bring down the cost of maintenance over time.

If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Itasca:

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 Itasca

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Itasca

While the average cost of a solar system in Itasca is $17,196, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.

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 power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,760 per kilowatt in Itasca.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to get 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

Most solar installers in Itasca offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Itasca homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Itasca is the company you get to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.

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 $4,341 19.8 years
8 kW $3.84 $21,477 $6,210 19.4 years
10 kW $3.76 $26,320 $8,288 19.0 years
12 kW $3.68 $30,952 $10,578 18.6 years
14 kW $3.61 $35,374 $13,078 18.3 years
16 kW $3.53 $39,585 $15,788 17.9 years
18 kW $3.46 $43,586 $18,709 17.5 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,376 $21,841 17.1 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

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

  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have various brands and kinds of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project 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 Itasca, IL Solar Cost FAQs

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

This is a tough 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 additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Itasca?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home 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 savings from going solar.

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

It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Itasca, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate 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 Itasca?

Although 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 their energy production 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.

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