Solar Panel Cost Guide in Scott AFB, IL (2024 Update)
- Scott AFB Solar Installation Cost: $16,000
- 25-Year Savings: $12,029
- Payback Period: 16.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Scott AFB
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Scott AFB.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Scott AFB it’s 4 per watt.The average Scott AFB homeowner needs a 6.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,000 with the federal tax credit, or $22,880 before the 0 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 choose, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Scott AFB that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Scott AFB
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,149 |
| 3 years | $-13,448 |
| 5 years | $-11,746 |
| 7 years | $-10,045 |
| 9 years | $-8,344 |
| 11 years | $-6,643 |
| 13 years | $-4,941 |
| 15 years | $-3,240 |
| 17 years | $-1,539 |
| 19 years | $163 |
| 21 years | $1,864 |
| 23 years | $3,565 |
| 25 years | $5,267 |
Top Solar Installers in Scott AFB
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to use a solar installation company since installing a solar system yourself can be a time-consuming project. Since solar panels are exposed to the elements every day, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Scott AFB
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Scott AFB
The cost of installing a solar system in Scott AFB can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your household, 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 about $3,760. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Scott AFB, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable option because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s crucial to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you pick will affect your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Additionally, some companies in Scott AFB are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
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 | $6,915 | 17.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $9,641 | 17.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $12,578 | 16.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $15,725 | 16.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $19,083 | 16.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $22,651 | 15.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $26,430 | 15.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $30,420 | 15.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will affect 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 several important things you should consider, including:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the company in regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of offerings before deciding.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Scott AFB, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Scott AFB?
The average cost of solar panels in Scott AFB 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 like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Scott AFB?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it usually comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Scott AFB?
Most states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system generates 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 often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.