Solar Panels Cost $5.3k-$16k in Lee County, IL | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Lee County, IL in 2024?
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In Lee County, IL in November, 2024, the typical price per watt for a solar panel installation is at $3.85/W
According to the price, solar panels will cost you, on average, $3,850 per 1K (or 1000 watts) of generation capacounty. In Lee County, the price of a 5 kW solar panel system is typically $13,475, after you subtract 30% federal tax credit. To adequately cover your energy consumption, you could need a larger system.
Use the menu on the left to pick your county and see the typical roof size and the average maximum capacity for solar panel systems on residences in your area. Below, you can find a complete overview of the costs, payback period, and 20-year typical 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.
Lee County: $13,475US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Lee County: 8 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Lee County: $13,414US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Lee County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Lee County.
Roof size 679sq. ft.
Capacity 9.5kW DC
Electricity 11kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Lee County, IL & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
Energy consumers in Lee County usually use 647 kWh per month, with an average monthly bill of 136.10. Compact residences, such as efficiency studios and apartments, are also included in the numbers noted in the earlier sentence.
In November 2024, the electricity rate in Lee County, IL averages 21.03¢ per kWh.
Before incentives, a 6 kW solar setup is around $23,100, with the federal income tax credit giving you 30% back, reducing the price to $16,170.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Lee County
To the left, you'll see a detailed cost breakdown of the different sizes of solar panel systems installed in Lee County. While a bigger solar installation comes with a greater cost, it also offers greater electricity savings and higher income tax credits.
The solar panel cost calculator, positioned to the right and below, offers a cost and benefit breakdown using an average $136.10 electric bill for Lee County. Easily change the $136.10 to your typical electricity bill for more accurate results.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 2kW
Roof Size Min. space required
143 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $622 a year
Est. Price
$5,390
Savings from a 2kWthis system
Est. yearly production 2,960 kWh
Est. monthly savings $52
Full payback in 3 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.24 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 57 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,075 mi less a year
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $932 a year
Est. Price
$8,085
Savings from a 3kWthis system
Est. yearly production 4,440 kWh
Est. monthly savings $78
Full payback in 5 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.86 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 86 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 4,612 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,243 a year
Est. Price
$10,780
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 5,920 kWh
Est. monthly savings $104
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.48 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 114 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 6,149 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,554 a year
Est. Price
$13,475
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,400 kWh
Est. monthly savings $129
Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.11 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 143 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 7,687 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,865 a year
Est. Price
$16,170
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,880 kWh
Est. monthly savings $136
Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.26 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 150 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 8,073 mi less a year
Lee County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
If you're a rural small business or farm owner, you might be eligible for REAP Grant coverage of between 80% and 100% for your photovoltaic or wind turbine project. Curious about your eligibility? Use our REAP Grant eligibility tool to check.
Most homeowners can qualify for the 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, making solar energy a practical option throughout most parts of the country. In addition to federal incentives, there are many state and local initiatives to encourage solar energy adoption.
Illinois offers 10 solar rebate and incentive programs through different utilities and government agencies.
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 Lee County, IL?
For homeowners in Lee County who plan to stay in their residence beyond the solar payback period, solar panels make an good investment. Having a 5 kW solar system in Lee County, IL can potentially save you around $19,189 over a span of 20 years, with an average break even point of 8 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Lee County, IL
Besides missing out on the previously mentioned savings, not having solar panels or a separate backup energy source makes you fully reliant on your electric utility for electricity. Relying entirely on your utility isn't always ideal, as several recent news reports have highlighted.
Lee County utilities have averaged 0.66 outages per customer per year in recent times. Each outage, on average, lasts for 76.62 minutes. In the case of major events like winter storms, aging infrastructure, or vandalism, this period can rise substantially.
See the component below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Lee County.
A solar energy system, whether or not it has a backup battery, could help reduce the effects of any future power interruptions you might face.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Lee County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Lee County, IL?
Your Energy Needs - Even though larger solar panel systems are more expensive initially, the average price per watt reduces as the system size increases. Consumers often find that installing a solar system that can offset their electric bill is extremely useful. This method leads to maximum savings.
Make & Model - There are a wide variety of makes and models of solar panels and mounting equipment. Your installer’s system preferences might necessitate picking a reputable company. Buyers frequently find that using better quality models provides a more positive long-term experience.
Solar Panel Type - For numerous good reasons, monocrystalline panels are now the standard in the industry. Although they are more expensive, they deliver increased energy. The majority of installers use panels made from this material.
Your Property - No two properties or homes are identical. Trees, uneven ground, or other obstructions can increase the difficulty of the installation. Solar installers currently commonly leverage satellite imagery to evaluate your home and incorporate these considerations into the initial cost estimate.
Labor Rates - Variations in employee wages across companies cause expenses that are transferred to the consumers. Higher wages often lead to companies getting better reviews for their services and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Your final installation cost will be impacted by local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which vary by area. Reliable local installers will incorporate these figures into your initial estimates to prevent any surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Lee County cities
The cost per watt for solar panels in Lee County, IL during November of 2024 averages $3.85/W. Installing a 5 kW solar panel system in Lee County, IL will cost approximately $13,475 after applying the federal tax credit.
At present, there are 10 rebates and incentives available to Illinois residents from various utility and government programs. Moreover, nearly everyone is eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit.
Paying cash yields the most savings, but there are now multiple financing options for solar panels that are also cost-effective. Information about financing options will often be detailed in your preliminary quotes by many installers.
Yes, the average 5 kW solar panel payback time in Lee County, IL is 8 years, with expected savings of $19,189 on electricity over 20 years.
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