Solar Panel Cost Guide in Rock Island, IL (2024 Update)
- Rock Island Solar Installation Cost: $16,986
- 25-Year Savings: $7,454
- Payback Period: 21.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Rock Island
We go over average solar pricing in Rock Island.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Rock Island generally cost about 4.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Rock Island, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,986, or $24,290 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in Rock Island can save about $12,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar installer in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Rock Island
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,145 |
| 3 years | $-14,463 |
| 5 years | $-12,781 |
| 7 years | $-11,099 |
| 9 years | $-9,417 |
| 11 years | $-7,735 |
| 13 years | $-6,053 |
| 15 years | $-4,371 |
| 17 years | $-2,689 |
| 19 years | $-1,007 |
| 21 years | $675 |
| 23 years | $2,357 |
| 25 years | $4,039 |
Top Solar Installers in Rock Island
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. Local solar companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can benefit from and by providing warranties and repairs.
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 Rock Island
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Rock Island
The cost of installing a solar system in Rock Island can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
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. For that reason, it’s important to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think 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 Rock Island to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area offers financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, 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 opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Rock Island is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle 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 | $1,972 | 22.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $3,051 | 21.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $4,340 | 21.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $5,839 | 21.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $7,549 | 20.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $9,470 | 20.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $11,602 | 19.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $13,943 | 19.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the longevity of your solar energy system, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Contract: When looking over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
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 Rock Island, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Rock Island?
The average cost of solar panels in Rock Island 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 certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Rock Island?
Solar panels aren’t free in Rock Island, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
How much can I save on power bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location 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 $613.19 per year.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household 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.