Solar Panels Cost $7.8k-$18k in Alexander County, IL | December, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Alexander County, IL in 2024?
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The typical cost per watt for solar panel systems in Alexander County, IL in December, 2024 is estimated at $3.73/W.
Expect the cost to be $3,730, on average, for every 1000 watts (or 1 kW) of solar energy your panels can produce. You are able to come up with this number in accordance with this rate price cost. Applying the 30% federal tax credit, the average price for a 5 kW solar panel system in Alexander County is around $13,055. It's important to note that a higher capacity system could be essential to fulfill your energy demands.
To the left, you can choose your county to view the average roof size and the average maximum production capacity for residential solar on houses in your area. Below is a full overview of the costs, payback period, and 20-year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Alexander County: $13,055US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Alexander County: 7 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Alexander County: $19,212US Average: $16,152
Solar Potential in Alexander County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Alexander County.
Roof size 644sq. ft.
Capacity 9kW DC
Electricity 10.8kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Alexander County, IL & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
On average, Alexander County residents use 747 kWh each month, and the electric bill is 157.76. This statistic also reflects data from apartments and smaller homes with less energy demand.
The average rate for electricity in Alexander County, IL during December, 2024 is 21.12¢ per kWh.
The price of a a 7 kW solar installation is approximately $26,110 upfront, but the federal tax credit offers a 30% credit, reducing your total to $18,277.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Alexander County
Presented on the left and below is the cost analysis for various sizes of the solar panel systems installed in Alexander County. More extensive solar installations come with a greater cost, yet they also offer greater electricity savings and more generous income tax credits.
Check the solar panel cost calculator below and to the right to see the cost and benefit details based on an average $157.76 electric bill in Alexander County. Personalized results can be achieved by adjusting the $157.76 to your average bill amount.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $932 a year
Est. Price
$7,833
Savings from a 3kWthis system
Est. yearly production 4,440 kWh
Est. monthly savings $78
Full payback in 4 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.15 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 53 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 2,853 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,243 a year
Est. Price
$10,444
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 5,920 kWh
Est. monthly savings $104
Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.54 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 71 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,804 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,554 a year
Est. Price
$13,055
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,400 kWh
Est. monthly savings $129
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.92 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 88 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 4,756 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,865 a year
Est. Price
$15,666
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,880 kWh
Est. monthly savings $155
Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.31 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 106 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,707 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,176 a year
Est. Price
$18,277
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,360 kWh
Est. monthly savings $158
Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.34 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 108 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,802 mi less a year
Alexander County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
The financial burden of installing solar or wind turbines for rural farmlands and small businesses could be eased with the REAP Grant, covering 80% to 100% of the costs. To see if you qualify, use our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
For those considering residential solar, the 30% federal income tax credit is offered to nearly everyone, making solar power a good investment in many parts of the country. A range of state and local initiatives are offered to support the use of solar energy.
There are 10 solar rebate and incentive programs currently available in Illinois by multiple utilities and government bodies.
Solar incentives in ILIncentive Description Value
City of Chicago - Small Business Improvement Fund
Value:Up to $150,000
The Chicago government has established a Small Business Improvement Fund to support businesses making energy efficiency upgrades through grants. A private organization, SomerCor 504, handles the practical business of the fund. Projects eligible for grants include energy-efficient HVAC, roofing, windows, and insulation. Funding can cover three quarters of project costs. Applicants are subject to caps on net worth and number of employees. Businesses that rent their property may be subject to additional conditions. Additional information is available from the SomerCor website.
City of Chicago - Green Building Permit Programs
Value:Up to $25,000
Chicago offers specialized permitting processes for various environmentally-friendly projects or energy efficiency upgrades. Any home, business, or industrial facility may qualify to have their review period expedited and fees waived. Eligible installations and upgrades include solar PV/thermal systems, wind turbines, efficient roofing, rain reclamation, and geothermal systems; all must be LEED or Green Globes certified to qualify. Once a project is approved, the maximum turnaround time shortens to 30 days. Further, any fees up to $25,000 become waived. Additional information and early application forms are available from the Chicago website.
City of Chicago - Solar Express Permit Program
Value:Varies
Through a 2013 ordinance, Chicago homes and businesses may be eligible for a streamlined permitting process for rooftop solar PV installations. Depending on the system's size, applicants may receive a $100 discount on permit fees and a same-day approval with waived zoning evaluation. Interested property owners must hire a solar contractor certified by both ComEd and the City of Chicago. Participating contractors will follow new guidelines established by the ordinance when applying for the expedited process. Additional information is available through the Chicago municipal website.
Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation Grants
Value:Varies
Commonwealth Edison funds the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF). The foundation supports private investment in renewable energy for Illinois through a variety of grant initiatives targeted at communities and schools. Eligible projects for a grant include solar, wind, and biomass installations interconnected to the grid. One initiative funding wind power for schools also supports related educational programs. Additional information is available through the ICECF website.
Net Metering
Value:Varies
Renewable energy and distributed generation customers in Illinois may enter net metering or "dual metering" arrangements with their utility. By using their generation system, customers generate renewable energy credits. By law, they hold ownership of the RECs they generate, but they may choose to sell them to the utility upon signing a net metering contract. Dual metering is for property types in a "competitive class". Utilities should install a dual-channel meter to measure net excess generation (NEG) sent back to the grid. The customer will receive a bill credit for monthly NEG at a variable rate. Net metering operates in a similar fashion, but uses a single bidirectional meter and is designed for residential and certain commercial properties (these are "non-competitive classes".) Additional information is available from the Illinois Department of Energy.
Interconnection Standards
Value:Varies
Illinois has adopted various state standards for distributed generation and interconnection using systems rated for less than 10 MW. Regulations are amended and enforced by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Each connected generation system is sorted into one of four tiers based on capacity. Which tier a system falls into determines engineering standards, permit processes, and the minimum liability insurance coverage that the system's owner must carry. Distributed generation for systems over 10 MW is also standardized under a different set of rules. Additional information is available from the ICC website.
Renewable Portfolio Standard
Value:Varies
The Illinois legislature enacted the state's first renewable portfolio standard in 2007 and established the Illinois Power Agency for its enforcement. The current standard requires 25% of the state's renewable energy to come from renewable sources by 2026, with 6% coming from solar installations, 75% from wind turbines, and 1% from distributed generation systems. Compliance is measured using a renewable energy credit (REC) system pegging electric capacity to an adjusted dollar value. Utilities in the state must obtain these credits through their own generation activities or by purchasing them from distributed generation customers.
Energy Efficiency in State Government
Value:Varies
New government buildings or renovation projects in Illinois should comply with certain green building standards. Any new occupied state building or renovation affecting a maximum of 10,000 square feet should meet the highest feasible LEED standard, though the state does not need to apply for formal LEED certification. New buildings or renovation projects over 10,000 square feet must meet LEED Silver standards and apply for formal certification. A project may be exempt if costs toward meeting green building standards exceed benefits. Historic buildings may carry an exemption by default if improvements would negatively affect their aesthetics or status. Additional information is available from the Illinois Department of Commerce website.
Illinois Municipal Electric Agency - Electric Efficiency Program
Value:Varies
Residential, commercial, and wholesale customers of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency may be eligible for a variety of financial incentives on energy efficiency equipment and projects. Eligible items and services will change from time to time. Current programs include rebate offers on HVAC, lighting, motors, and generation equipment. For each of these projects, the rebate amount averages at 7 cents per saved kilowatt hour for the first year of the improvements' deployment. The application process involves project reviews. Customers should submit copies of the city permits they have obtained for their proposed projects. To ensure accountability, IMEA requires the submission of receipts and a final inspection upon completion of the project. Additional information is available from the IMEA website.
Solar Renewable Energy Credits
Value:Varies
The Illinois Power Agency is a legislative organization that aids several private electrical utilities (Commonwealth Edison and Ameren, specifically) in purchasing renewable energy credits, including credits designated exclusively for solar energy. To meet renewable portfolio standards, the IPA acts as a diplomatic middleman to create purchasing agreements between utilities. As IPA both designs and operates procurement programs using a variety of tracking systems, customers participating in arrangements such as net metering may interface directly with the IPA. Additional information is available from the agency website.
Are solar panels worth it in Alexander County, IL?
If you're intending to stay in your home past the period required to pay back your solar investment, opting for solar panels is a smart decision in Alexander County. A 5 kW solar system in Alexander County, IL could potentially save you $24,807.4 over the course of 20 years, with the break even point averaging at 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Alexander County, IL
The absence of solar panels or an alternative energy backup means that you miss out on the savings mentioned earlier and depend on your electric utility for electricity. The news has given several examples highlighting that full reliance on your utility isn't always the best idea.
Customers in Alexander County have experienced an average of 0.89 utility outages per year in recent times. Usually, outages have an average duration of 114.12 minutes. However, during critical events like winter storms, grid management errors, or wildlife damage, these times can extend dramatically.
View the component below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Alexander County.
A solar panel system, with or without a backup battery, could help mitigate the effects of future outages you might encounter.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Alexander County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Alexander County, IL?
Your Energy Needs - Larger solar panel systems require more upfront investment, but the cost per watt drops as the size of the system expands. Installing a solar system that generates sufficient electricity to eliminate their electric bill is beneficial to most consumers, leading to savings.
Make & Model - There are numerous brands and models of solar panels and mounting equipment. Since your installer may prefer particular systems, it's important to choose a highly rated company. Opting for higher quality equipment generally provides a more satisfying long-term experience for the buyer.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have taken over as the standard in the industry, and it's easy to see why. They are associated with a higher price, but they provide more energy. The majority of solar panel installers prefer this kind of material.
Your Property - Each property and residence is unique. Issues such as trees, uneven landscapes, or additional challenges may add to the complexity of the installation. Solar installers currently have the ability to utilize satellite images to evaluate your home and incorporate these elements in the initial cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The wage differences between companies result in costs that are passed on to the consumers. Businesses frequently receive higher reviews for their services and customer service when they pay higher wages.
Permitting & Interconnection - The local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which change by region, will affect your final installation price. Reliable local installers will build these figures into your initial estimates to avoid any surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Alexander County cities
In December, 2024, the average cost of solar panels per watt in Alexander County, IL is $3.73/W. The installation of a 5 kW solar panel system in Alexander County, IL will cost about $13,055 after federal tax credits.
Various utility providers and government organizations in Illinois are offering 10 rebates and incentives at this time. Additionally, the vast majority qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
Choosing to pay cash offers the most savings, but today there are many financing options for solar panels that are also financially advantageous. Information about financing options will often be included in your initial quotes by many installers.
Yes, in Alexander County, IL, the average payback period for 5 kW solar panels is 7 years, resulting in average electricity savings of $24,807.4 over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
