Solar Panel Cost Guide in Pittsfield, IL (2024 Update)
- Pittsfield Solar Installation Cost: $16,330
- 25-Year Savings: $16,856
- Payback Period: 14.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Pittsfield
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Pittsfield.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Pittsfield is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Pittsfield, most homeowners require a 6.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,330, or $23,352 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true price you pay can go above or below the average in Pittsfield depending on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $18,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Pittsfield
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,479 |
| 3 years | $-13,778 |
| 5 years | $-12,077 |
| 7 years | $-10,376 |
| 9 years | $-8,674 |
| 11 years | $-6,973 |
| 13 years | $-5,272 |
| 15 years | $-3,570 |
| 17 years | $-1,869 |
| 19 years | $-168 |
| 21 years | $1,533 |
| 23 years | $3,235 |
| 25 years | $4,936 |
Top Solar Installers in Pittsfield
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be challenging. The expertise that solar companies offer can be helpful as well, particularly if you aren’t sure what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
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 Pittsfield
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pittsfield
Though the average cost of a solar system in Pittsfield is $16,330, your actual cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will considerably influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Further, 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 for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Pittsfield to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Pittsfield is the company you get to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.Companies that 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 come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and find a 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 | $11,343 | 14.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $15,545 | 14.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $19,957 | 14.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $24,581 | 13.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $29,414 | 13.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $34,459 | 13.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $39,713 | 13.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $45,179 | 12.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in Pittsfield, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 Pittsfield, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Pittsfield?
The average cost of solar panels in Pittsfield is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?
The initial 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 be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.