Solar Panel Cost Guide in Jacksonville, IL (2024 Update)
- Jacksonville Solar Installation Cost: $16,402
- 25-Year Savings: $4,864
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Jacksonville
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Jacksonville.
The average cost of a solar system in Jacksonville is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Jacksonville is around 6.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $16,402 for a solar installation, or $23,455 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Jacksonville homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $18,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in your area for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Jacksonville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,551 |
| 3 years | $-13,850 |
| 5 years | $-12,148 |
| 7 years | $-10,447 |
| 9 years | $-8,746 |
| 11 years | $-7,045 |
| 13 years | $-5,343 |
| 15 years | $-3,642 |
| 17 years | $-1,941 |
| 19 years | $-239 |
| 21 years | $1,462 |
| 23 years | $3,163 |
| 25 years | $4,864 |
Top Solar Installers in Jacksonville
When going solar, many homeowners choose to use a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a challenging project. Some solar companies, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Jacksonville, thereby optimizing your ROI.
Working with a vetted solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- 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 Jacksonville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Jacksonville
For many Jacksonville homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Jacksonville, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,760. The type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will largely influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Jacksonville, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Jacksonville homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. 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 Jacksonville is the company you hire to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car 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 | $12,293 | 14.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $16,812 | 14.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $21,541 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $26,481 | 13.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $31,631 | 13.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $36,992 | 12.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $42,564 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $48,346 | 12.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a couple decades are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a quality company.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will offer different brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Jacksonville, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Jacksonville?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally 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 extra 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 less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Jacksonville?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Jacksonville?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.