Solar Panels Cost $8.1k-$18k in Knoxville, IA | July, 2025

Electricity Costs in Knoxville, IA & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing

The average electricity bill in Knoxville, for a usage of 822 kWh per month, is $87.35. These numbers take into account apartments and smaller residences with lower energy needs.

For July 2025, the mean electricity rate in Knoxville, IA is 10.62¢ per kWh.

To satisfy the electricity requirements of an average consumer in Knoxville, a solar panel system of 7 kW or larger is a must. The starting price for a 7 kW solar system will be $27,090, but after a 30% tax credit, your cost is reduced to $18,963.

Are solar panels worth it in Iowa?

If you're planning to stay in your home past the period required to pay back your solar investment, installing solar panels is a good decision in Knoxville. A 5 kW solar system in Knoxville, IA might save you an average of $7,419 over 20 years, with the break even point typically being 13 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Knoxville, IA

Without solar panels or another backup power source, you lose out on the previously noted savings and are entirely dependent on your electric utility for electricity. As recent news articles have pointed out, total reliance on your utility provider isn't always ideal.

In recent years, Knoxville has seen an average of 0.9 utility outages per customer each year. The average length of an outage is 93.12 minutes. In events like planned maintenance, equipment failure or thunderstorms, this duration can extend significantly.

Regardless of whether a backup battery is present, a solar panel system could reduce the impact of future power outages you might experience.

What impacts the cost of solar panels in Knoxville, IA?

Your Energy Needs - When opting for larger solar panel systems, the overall expense is larger; however, the cost per watt diminishes with an increase in system size. Setting up a solar panel system that can cover the electric bill is useful to consumers because of the reduced long-term costs.

Make & Model - There are a range of makes and models of solar panels and mounting equipment. Because the installer you select might have specific system preferences, selecting a highly rated contractor is even more important. The employment of high-quality materials is probably will yield a more positive long-term experience for buyers.

Solar Panel Type - It's not surprising that monocrystalline panels are now the industry standard. They are associated with a higher price, but they provide more energy. Most solar panel installers choose this kind of material.

Your Property - Things like trees, sloping terrain, or other impediments may cause the installation to be more challenging. By using satellite imagery, solar installers can now assess your home and factor in these factors into the first cost estimate.

Labor Rates - The varying wages that companies offer their employees lead to costs that are inevitably passed on to consumers. Companies often garner higher reviews for their services and customer service when they pay higher wages.

Permitting & Interconnection - Permitting and utility interconnection fees differ locally and will impact your installation cost. Experienced local installers will include these figures in your initial estimates to ensure transparency.