Solar Panels Cost $7.4k-$17k in Jersey County, IL | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Jersey County, IL in 2024?
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To go solar in Jersey County, IL averages out to $3.57 per watt in November, 2024.
According to the cost per watt, you can conclude that for every 1 kW (1000 watts) of solar generation capacounty will cost you $3,570 for installation. After receiving the 30% federal tax credit, you can expect to spend about $12,495 for a 5 kW panel install in Jersey County. Your electricity consumption levels could need a larger system.
On the left-hand side, you can choose your county to find out the typical roof size and the maximum capacity for solar panels in residences in your area. The following outline, below, highlights 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.
Jersey County: $12,495US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Jersey 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.
Jersey County: $20,072US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Jersey County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Jersey County.
Roof size 679sq. ft.
Capacity 9.5kW DC
Electricity 11kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Jersey County, IL & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
For Jersey County households, the average monthly kWh usage is 772, with an average electric bill of 158.01. Bear in mind that this figure encompasses both apartments and smaller homes, which generally require reduced energy.
The rate of electricity in Jersey County, IL, on average, is 20.48¢ per kWh in November 2024.
You'll spend $17,493 on a 7 kW solar panel installation after taking the 30% federal income tax credit into consideration.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Jersey County
On your left, we have provided a detailed cost breakdown for the different solar panel system sizes installed in Jersey County. As expected, a bigger solar system requires a greater initial expense, but it also translates to increased electricity savings and more substantial 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 $158.01 electric bill for Jersey County. Just change the $158.01 to your typical electricity bill for more accurate 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 $888 a year
Est. Price
$7,497
Savings from a 3kWthis system
Est. yearly production 4,440 kWh
Est. monthly savings $74
Full payback in 4 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.09 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 50 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 2,693 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,184 a year
Est. Price
$9,996
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 5,920 kWh
Est. monthly savings $99
Full payback in 5 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.45 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 67 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,590 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,480 a year
Est. Price
$12,495
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,400 kWh
Est. monthly savings $123
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.81 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 83 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 4,488 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,776 a year
Est. Price
$14,994
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,880 kWh
Est. monthly savings $148
Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.18 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 100 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,385 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,072 a year
Est. Price
$17,493
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 2.32 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 107 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,749 mi less a year
Jersey County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
Between 80% and 100% of your solar energy or wind turbine installation costs may be covered by the REAP Grant if you own a rural small business or farm. If you believe yourself eligible, we recommend using our REAP Grant eligibility tool to confirm your qualification.
Most residents can take advantage of a 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, which makes it a feasible option in various areas of the United States. In addition, numerous state and local programs work to further encourage the adoption of solar power.
Different utilities and government organizations in Illinois have 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 Jersey County, IL?
For those in Jersey County planning to stay in their homes past the payback period of their solar system, solar panels make perfect sense. Having a 5 kW solar system in Jersey County, IL can potentially save you approximately $25,427.4 over a span of 20 years, with an average break even point of 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Jersey County, IL
Besides missing out on the previously mentioned savings, not having solar panels or any backup energy system leaves you totally reliant on your electric utility for power. As demonstrated by recent news, total dependence on your utility isn't always the most favorable situation.
Normally, customers in Jersey County encounter around 0.72 outages. Typically, outages have an average duration of 90.48 minutes. However, during significant events such as hurricanes, planned maintenance, or overloaded power grids, these times can drastically increase.
Take a look at the component below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Jersey County.
Regardless of whether a backup battery is there or not, a solar panel system could reduce the pressure of potential future outages.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Jersey County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Jersey County, IL?
Your Energy Needs - Even though larger solar panel systems have a higher initial cost, the cost per watt declines. Many consumers find it advantageous to install a system that can generate enough electricity to offset the entirety of their electric bill. This math makes the most sense for optimal savings.
Make & Model - Just like any other product, solar panels and mounting equipment are available in a variety of makes and models. The potential brand preferences of your chosen installer make it crucial to pick a recommended contractor. Opting for better quality equipment usually provides a more satisfying long-term experience for the buyer.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have become the industry standard, and for good reason. They are costlier but generate more energy. Most professionals in solar installation work with panels crafted from this material.
Your Property - Each property and home has its own characteristics. Factors such as trees, sloping terrain, or additional considerations can make the installation more challenging. Using satellite images, most solar installers these days can evaluate your home and incorporate these considerations into the preliminary cost estimate.
Labor Rates - Various wages are paid to employees by various companies, and these expenses are transferred to the consumers. Businesses paying higher wages typically get better reviews for their work and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Depending on the area, local permitting and utility interconnection fees will influence the cost of your installation. Reliable local installers will build these figures into your first estimates to eliminate any surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Jersey County cities
The cost per watt for solar panels in Jersey County, IL during November of 2024 averages $3.57/W. A 5 kW solar panel system will cost you around $12,495 in Jersey County, IL after the federal tax credit is applied.
At present, there are 10 rebates and incentives available to Illinois residents from various utility and government programs. Furthermore, the majority of people qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
While cash payments offer the most savings, there are now many financing options for solar panels that are also advantageous. Information about financing options is typically detailed in initial quotes provided by installers.
Yes, the average time to recoup the cost of 5 kW solar panels in Jersey County, IL is 7 years, with homeowners saving an average of $25,427.4 on electricity over 20 years.
Savings from 
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