Solar Panel Cost Guide in North Aurora, IL (2024 Update)
- North Aurora Solar Installation Cost: $17,188
- 25-Year Savings: $11,717
- Payback Period: 16.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in North Aurora
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in North Aurora.
In North Aurora, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 6.5-kW system would cost about $17,188 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $15,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in North Aurora
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,032 |
| 3 years | $-13,719 |
| 5 years | $-11,407 |
| 7 years | $-9,094 |
| 9 years | $-6,782 |
| 11 years | $-4,470 |
| 13 years | $-2,157 |
| 15 years | $155 |
| 17 years | $2,467 |
| 19 years | $4,780 |
| 21 years | $7,092 |
| 23 years | $9,404 |
| 25 years | $11,717 |
Top Solar Installers in North Aurora
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can use up a lot of your time and energy. Taking advantage of a solar company can make your switch to solar power much easier. The expertise that solar installers offer can be helpful as well, especially if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment you need.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
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 North Aurora
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in North Aurora
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that affect your total cost in North Aurora: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in North Aurora, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,760 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Usually, the brands that are more efficient tend to also cost more. Additionally, the type of equipment you’re looking to install 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
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many North Aurora homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in North Aurora, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.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 with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you want and also is 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 | $7,442 | 17.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $10,344 | 16.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $13,456 | 16.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $16,779 | 16.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $20,313 | 15.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $24,057 | 15.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $28,011 | 15.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $32,176 | 14.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you opt for will impact not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, such as:
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Reputation: Companies that have been in business for many years likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Contract: Although 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 the terms of the warranty.
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 North Aurora, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in North Aurora?
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 be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons 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.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in North Aurora is currently $340,304, so you could be looking at a value of about $13,952 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in North Aurora is a fruitful investment.
How long do solar panels last in North Aurora?
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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.