Solar Panels Cost $7.5k-$17k in Clinton County, IL | December, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Clinton County, IL in 2024?
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Going solar costs approximately $3.58/W in December, 2024 in Clinton County, IL.
Or in other words, solar panels will cost you about $3,580 per 1 kW (or 1000 watts) of generation capacounty. Applying the 30% federal tax credit, the typical price for a 5 kW system in Clinton County is around $12,530. It's important to consider that a higher capacity system may be required to meet your energy needs.
By selecting your county on the left, you can determine the typical roof size and the average maximum capacity for residential solar panel systems in your area. You can also see an analysis of the costs, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system installed in your county below.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Clinton County: $12,530US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Clinton 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.
Clinton County: $19,636US Average: $16,152
Solar Potential in Clinton County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Clinton County.
Roof size 679sq. ft.
Capacity 9.5kW DC
Electricity 11kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Clinton County, IL & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
For Clinton County energy consumers, the typical monthly kWh usage is 742, with an average electric bill of 156.40. Apartments and compact residences, which usually have diminished energy requirements, are covered in this statistic.
In December 2024, Clinton County, IL's average electricity rate amounts to 21.07¢ per kWh.
At first, a 7 kW solar panel installation is priced at $25,060, but after a 30% tax credit, the final price is $17,542.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Clinton County
Available below and to the left is the pricing breakdown for multiple sizes of the solar panel systems set up in Clinton County. Of course, a larger solar system means a greater upfront cost, but it also results in increased electricity savings and more substantial income tax credits.
In the solar panel cost calculator situated below and to the right, you can examine a cost and benefit breakdown to match an average $156.40 electric bill in Clinton County. Change the $156.40 with your average electricity bill to get more detailed 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
$7,518
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 2,847 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,243 a year
Est. Price
$10,024
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 1.53 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 70 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,797 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,554 a year
Est. Price
$12,530
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 4,746 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,865 a year
Est. Price
$15,036
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 2.3 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 106 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,695 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,176 a year
Est. Price
$17,542
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,360 kWh
Est. monthly savings $156
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.31 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 106 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,717 mi less a year
Clinton County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
With the REAP Grant, up to 100% and no less than 80% of the installation costs for solar or wind turbines may be covered for rural small business owners and farmers. If you believe yourself eligible, we recommend utilizing our REAP Grant eligibility tool to confirm your qualification.
Almost all homeowners can qualify for the 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, making solar energy a sensible option in most parts of the country. Besides the federal incentives, state and local programs also work to boost solar energy uptake.
Multiple utilities and governmental bodies in Illinois offer 10 solar rebate and incentive programs.
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 Clinton County, IL?
If your intention is to stay in your home beyond the solar payback period, installing solar panels is a smart option in Clinton County. With a 5 kW solar system in Clinton County, IL, the average savings over a 20 period is $25,006, with break even generally occurring at 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Clinton County, IL
Without solar panels or another energy backup source, you lose out on the savings highlighted earlier and are completely dependent on your electric utility for power. Total dependence on your utility provider is not always ideal, as recent examples in the news have highlighted.
Residents in Clinton County have seen an average of 1.02 utility outages per year in recent times. The average length of an outage is 128.56 minutes. In events like grid management errors, landslides or planned maintenance, this duration can extend significantly.
See the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Clinton County.
A solar panel system could alleviate the burden of future outages, even if it doesn't have a backup battery.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Clinton County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Clinton County, IL?
Your Energy Needs - The cost per watt decreases with larger solar panel systems, even if the upfront cost is greater. Setting up a solar system that produces sufficient electricity to eliminate their electric bill is advantageous to most individuals, ensuring savings.
Make & Model - Just like many products, solar panels are offered in a wide variety of makes and models. Given the certain brand preferences an installer might have, choosing a highly rated installer is crucial. For buyers seeking a better long-term experience, choosing superior quality models is critical.
Solar Panel Type - The industry standard is now monocrystalline panels, and rightly so. Even though they are costlier, they provide more energy. The majority of installers work with panels made from this material.
Your Property - Challenges like trees, sloping terrain, or additional obstacles can increase the difficulty of installing solar panels. Nowadays, solar installers frequently leverage satellite images to assess your home and incorporate these elements into the initial cost estimate.
Labor Rates - Differences in employee wages across companies result in expenses that are transferred to the consumers. Reviews for work and customer service are often higher for businesses that pay higher wages.
Permitting & Interconnection - Installation costs will be affected by regularly changing local permitting and utility interconnection fees, depending on the region. Good local installers will integrate these figures into your first estimates to prevent any surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Clinton County cities
During December, 2024, the average price for solar panel installations in Clinton County, IL is $3.58/W. The installation of a 5 kW solar panel system in Clinton County, IL will cost about $12,530 after federal tax credits.
There are 10 rebates and incentives available in Illinois from a range of utility providers and government organizations. Additionally, almost everyone is entitled to the 30% federal income tax credit.
Paying cash offers the most savings, yet there are several financing options available today for solar panels that are also beneficial. Many installers work with financing partners and will provide this information in your initial quotes.
Yes, in Clinton County, IL, the average payback period for 5 kW solar panels is 7 years, resulting in average electricity savings of $25,006 over 20 years.
Savings from 
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