Solar Panel Cost Guide in Shelbyville, IL (2024 Update)

  • Shelbyville Solar Installation Cost: $16,472
  • 25-Year Savings: $15,658
  • Payback Period: 14.9 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Shelbyville

Here’s how much it might cost to install solar panels in Shelbyville.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Shelbyville it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Shelbyville, most homeowners require a 6.3-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $16,472, or $23,555 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Shelbyville homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Shelbyville can save about $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years.

For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Shelbyville

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,621
3 years $-13,920
5 years $-12,219
7 years $-10,517
9 years $-8,816
11 years $-7,115
13 years $-5,414
15 years $-3,712
17 years $-2,011
19 years $-310
21 years $1,392
23 years $3,093
25 years $4,794

Top Solar Installers in Shelbyville

Installing solar panels by yourself can be a dangerous task, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Another good thing about going with a top solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.

If you're searching for a solar installer in Shelbyville, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Shelbyville

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Shelbyville

There are several criteria that can determine your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,760 per kilowatt in Shelbyville.The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Shelbyville homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s crucial to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can play a role in determining the cost. Shelbyville’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment 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 $10,054 15.5 years
8 kW $3.84 $21,477 $13,826 15.2 years
10 kW $3.76 $26,320 $17,809 14.9 years
12 kW $3.68 $30,952 $22,002 14.6 years
14 kW $3.61 $35,374 $26,407 14.3 years
16 kW $3.53 $39,585 $31,021 14.0 years
18 kW $3.46 $43,586 $35,846 13.7 years
20 kW $3.38 $47,376 $40,882 13.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have different brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
  • Contract: Even though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Shelbyville, IL Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Shelbyville?

The average cost of solar panels in Shelbyville 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 use.

Are solar panels free in Shelbyville?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Shelbyville. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Shelbyville?

The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system produces 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.

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 needs 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.

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