Solar Panels Cost $7.2k-$16k in Christian County, IL | December, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Christian County, IL in 2024?
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To go solar in the month of December, 2024 in Christian County, IL averages out to $3.43/W.
Applying the price, you should expect costs to be $3,430, on average, for every 1 kW (or 1000 watts) of solar energy your system will need to produce. A 5 kW panel install in Christian County will typically cost you $12,005 after the 30% federal tax credit. A larger system could be required to adequately cover your energy consumption effectively.
Select your county from the menu on the left to determine the average roof size and maximum solar panel system capacity for homes in your area. Displayed below is an analysis of the price, 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.
Christian County: $12,005US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Christian County: 6 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Christian County: $20,700US Average: $16,152
Solar Potential in Christian County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Christian County.
Roof size 679sq. ft.
Capacity 9.5kW DC
Electricity 11kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Christian County, IL & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
The typical electric bill for a Christian County energy consumer is 157.71, with monthly usage typically at 743 kWh. Apartments and small homes with reduced energy usage are included in this figure.
In December 2024, the electricity rate in Christian County, IL averages 21.22¢ per kWh.
The initial cost for a 7 kW solar installation will be $24,010, but after a 30% tax credit, your expense drops to $16,807.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Christian County
To the left, you'll see a full pricing details of the different sizes of solar panel systems implemented in Christian County. Although a more extensive solar installation has a greater cost, it also brings increased electricity savings and larger income tax credits.
In the calculator located to the right and below, you will find a breakdown of solar panel costs and benefits, calculated with an average $157.71 electric bill for Christian County. Simply change the $157.71 to your regular electricity bill for customized results.
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
$7,203
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 5.91 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 272 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 14,640 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,243 a year
Est. Price
$9,604
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 5,920 kWh
Est. monthly savings $104
Full payback in 5 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 7.89 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 362 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 19,521 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,554 a year
Est. Price
$12,005
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,400 kWh
Est. monthly savings $129
Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 9.86 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 453 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 24,401 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,865 a year
Est. Price
$14,406
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 11.83 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 543 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 29,281 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,176 a year
Est. Price
$16,807
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,360 kWh
Est. monthly savings $158
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 12.03 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 552 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 29,772 mi less a year
Christian County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
Small businesses and agricultural enterprises in rural areas may see between 80% and 100% of their solar energy or wind turbine installation costs covered by the REAP Grant. Think you might qualify? Use our REAP Grant eligibility tool to confirm your eligibility.
A 30% federal tax credit is accessible to most homeowners for residential solar installations, which renders solar energy a feasible choice in various regions throughout the United States. Moreover, there are various state and local incentives to further encourage the adoption of solar energy.
A total of 10 solar rebates and incentives are available in Illinois through multiple 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 Christian County, IL?
If your intention is to stay in your home beyond the solar payback period, installing solar panels is a good option in Christian County. If you install a 5 kW solar system in Christian County, IL, you might save $25,845.4 over 20 years on average, with a break even point at approximately 6 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Christian County, IL
Besides missing out on the previously mentioned savings, not installing solar panels or a separate backup energy source results in complete dependence on your electric utility for electricity. Recent news has proven that total reliance on your utility company isn't always ideal.
In recent years, Christian County has seen an average of 0.89 utility outages per customer each year. The average length of an outage is 114.12 minutes. However, during significant events such as heavy rain and flooding, equipment failure, or vandalism, this duration can grow considerably.
See the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Christian County.
Having a solar panel system, with or without a backup battery, could alleviate the strain of any future outages you may experience.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Christian County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Christian County, IL?
Your Energy Needs - While the upfront cost is greater, the price per watt drops with larger solar panel systems. Homeowners often find that installing a solar system that can offset their entire electric bill is advantageous, leading to optimal savings.
Make & Model - Just like other industries, the solar energy sector features a range of solar panel brands and designs. Picking an installer with certain system preferences means it's even more important crucial to go with a reputable contractor. Buyers often find that utilizing better quality materials leads to a more positive long-term experience.
Solar Panel Type - It's not surprising that monocrystalline panels are now the standard in the industry. Even with a higher cost, this technology produce more energy. The majority of installers choose panels crafted using this material.
Your Property - Elements such as trees, uneven landscapes, or other hindrances might complicate the installation process. Nowadays, solar installers commonly leverage satellite images to assess your home and factor in these factors into the preliminary cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The costs related to the different wages offered by companies to their employees are borne by the consumers. Businesses that pay higher wages often get higher reviews for their services and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Regional differences in permitting and utility interconnection fees will impact your installation cost. Good local installers will build these figures into your preliminary estimates to prevent any surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Christian County cities
In December, 2024, the average cost of solar panels per watt in Christian County, IL is $3.43/W. The approximate cost of a 5 kW solar panel system in Christian County, IL, after deducting federal tax credits, is $12,005.
Utilities and government agencies in Illinois are currently offering 10 different rebates and incentives. Moreover, the 30% federal tax credit is accessible to nearly everyone.
Even though paying cash provides the most savings, there are now multiple financing options for solar panels that also are cost-effective. Initial quotes from installers will frequently detail information about available financing options.
Yes, in Christian County, IL, 5 kW solar panel systems typically pay off in 6 years, and users save around $25,845.4 in electricity costs over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
