Solar Panels Cost $7.6k-$17k in Champaign County, IL | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Champaign County, IL in 2024?
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You will pay, on average, $3.65 per watt in Champaign County, IL in the month of November, 2024 to get solar installed.
This means that, solar panels will cost you $3,650 per 1 kW (or 1000 watts) of generation capacounty. In Champaign County, when you subtract the 30% federal income tax credit, a 5 kW system will require you to pay $12,775. However, a 5kW systemmay not be enough to fulfill your energy requirements.
On the left-hand side, you can pick your county to see the average roof size and the maximum capacity for solar panels in residences in your area. Below, you can see a breakdown of the costs, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system installed in your county.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Champaign County: $12,775US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Champaign 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.
Champaign County: $20,210US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Champaign County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Champaign County.
Roof size 804sq. ft.
Capacity 11.25kW DC
Electricity 13.2kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Champaign County, IL & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
In Champaign County, the typical electric bill for an energy user is 160.25, with an average monthly usage of 783 kWh. Compact residences, such as efficiency studios and apartments, are also covered by the numbers cited in the earlier sentence.
The electricity rate per kWh in Champaign County, IL for November 2024 averages 20.48¢.
At the moment, a 7 kW solar setup will be priced at around $25,550upfront, but thanks to the federal tax credit, you get a 30% reimbursement, bringing the cost down to $17,885.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Champaign County
Displayed on the left side, you'll see a comprehensive pricing structure of the various sizes of solar panel systems set up in Champaign County. More extensive solar installations have a greater cost, yet they also offer higher electricity savings and more generous income tax credits.
The solar panel cost calculator below and to the right breaks down costs and benefits, using an average $160.25 electric bill in Champaign County If you seek tailored results, modify the $160.25 to your average electricity 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 $863 a year
Est. Price
$7,665
Savings from a 3kWthis system
Est. yearly production 4,315 kWh
Est. monthly savings $72
Full payback in 4 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.07 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 49 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 2,655 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,151 a year
Est. Price
$10,220
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 5,753 kWh
Est. monthly savings $96
Full payback in 5 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.43 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 66 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,539 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,438 a year
Est. Price
$12,775
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,191 kWh
Est. monthly savings $120
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.79 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 82 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 4,424 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,726 a year
Est. Price
$15,330
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,629 kWh
Est. monthly savings $144
Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.14 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 99 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,309 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,013 a year
Est. Price
$17,885
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,067 kWh
Est. monthly savings $160
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.39 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 110 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,907 mi less a year
Champaign County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
Rural farmers and small business owners could have between 80% and 100% of their solar energy or wind turbine installation expenses covered by the REAP Grant. Believe you might be eligible? Verify your qualification with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
The federal government offers a 30% tax credit for residential solar systems, rendering solar practical and sensible for a variety of homeowners. On top of that, there are many state and local incentives to further encourage the adoption of solar energy.
Illinois provides 10 solar rebates and incentives from different utility companies and government organizations.
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 Champaign County, IL?
If you expect to own your residence longer than the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a wise investment in Champaign County. Over a 20 year time frame, a 5 kW solar system in Champaign County, IL could save you an estimated $25,685, with the average break even time being 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Champaign County, IL
Without solar panels or another backup power source, you miss out on the previously noted savings and are fully dependent on your electric utility for electricity. Many recent news reports have highlighted that complete dependence on your utility is not always ideal.
On a yearly basis, the average number of outages per customer in Champaign County has been 0.82. On average, each outage lasts for 95.38 minutes. Major events like lightning strikes, vandalism, or overloaded power grids can considerably extend these durations.
Take a look at the info below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Champaign County.
A solar energy system, regardless of whether it has a backup battery or not, could help relieve the pressure of future power outages you may experience.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Champaign County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Champaign County, IL?
Your Energy Needs - Even though larger solar panel systems are more expensive initially, the average price per watt decreases as the system size increases. Homeowners often find that installing a solar system that can replace their electric bill is highly beneficial. This method results in maximum savings.
Make & Model - Like other industries, the solar energy sector includes a range of solar panel brands and designs. The preferences for brand that your contractor has may make it crucial to choose a reputable installer. Opting for superior quality models can yield a greatly enhanced long-term experience for the buyer.
Solar Panel Type - It's understandable that monocrystalline panels are now the standard in the industry. Although the cost is higher, they deliver more energy. Many installers use these types of panels.
Your Property - Challenges like trees, sloping terrain, or additional considerations can increase the difficulty of installing solar panels. Solar installers currently typically use satellite imagery to evaluate your home and incorporate these factors into the initial cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The costs connected to the varying wages paid by companies to their employees are transferred to the consumers. Companies frequently garner higher reviews for their work and customer service when they offer better wages.
Permitting & Interconnection - Your final installation cost will be impacted by local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which change by area. Good local installers will incorporate these figures into your preliminary estimates to prevent any surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Champaign County cities
During November, 2024, the average price for solar panel installations in Champaign County, IL is $3.65/W. The approximate cost of a 5 kW solar panel system in Champaign County, IL, after deducting federal tax credits, is $12,775.
Illinois offers 10 different rebates and incentives from a range of utilities and government organizations. Moreover, nearly everyone is eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit.
Cash payments offer the highest savings, yet several financing options now available for solar panels are financially beneficial as well. Installers will often include details on financing partners in the quotes they provide initially.
Yes, the average time to recoup the cost of 5 kW solar panels in Champaign County, IL is 7 years, with homeowners saving an average of $25,685 on electricity over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
