Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sandwich, IL (2024 Update)
- Sandwich Solar Installation Cost: $17,092
- 25-Year Savings: $10,783
- Payback Period: 18.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sandwich
Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in Sandwich.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Sandwich generally cost about 4.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Sandwich, most homeowners require a 6.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,092, or $24,442 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Sandwich homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With average savings of about $14,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Sandwich find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Sandwich
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,936 |
| 3 years | $-13,624 |
| 5 years | $-11,311 |
| 7 years | $-8,999 |
| 9 years | $-6,687 |
| 11 years | $-4,374 |
| 13 years | $-2,062 |
| 15 years | $251 |
| 17 years | $2,563 |
| 19 years | $4,875 |
| 21 years | $7,188 |
| 23 years | $9,500 |
| 25 years | $11,812 |
Top Solar Installers in Sandwich
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it takes extra time and knowledge. For that reason, most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Another advantage of utilizing a solar installer is that they can help you maximize your return of investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. 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 Sandwich
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sandwich
There are many criteria that can play into your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,760.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Sandwich to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you pick will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $5,005 | 19.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $7,094 | 18.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $9,394 | 18.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $11,905 | 18.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $14,626 | 17.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $17,558 | 17.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $20,700 | 17.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $24,053 | 16.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many 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 make sure they know how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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 Sandwich, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Sandwich?
The average cost of solar panels in Sandwich is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Sandwich?
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 can’t take advantage of 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 financial benefits from going solar.
How much can I save on energy 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 $714.29 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Sandwich?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having 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.