Solar Panels Cost 5.4k-16k in Lexington, IL | October, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $5.4k-$16k in Lexington, IL | October, 2024

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How much do solar panels cost in Lexington, IL in 2024?

Solar panel installations in Lexington, IL during October, 2024 average out to $3.91 per watt.

Utilizing the price per watt, you are able to conclude that for every 1 kW (1000 watts) of solar power capacity will require an investment of $3,910 for installation. In Lexington, the cost of a 5 kW solar panel system is typically $13,685, after a 30% federal tax credit. Depending on your energy usage, you might need a bigger system.

To the left, you can select a county to find the average roof size and the average maximum generation capacity for solar panel systems on homes in your area. Below, you can see a summary 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.
Lexington: $13,685US Average: $12,562
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Lexington: 9 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Lexington: $12,041US Average: $15,784

Solar Potential in Lexington

Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in
Lexington.

Roof size 822sq. ft.
Capacity 11.5kW DC
Electricity 13.3kkWh AC per yr.

Electricity Costs in Lexington, IL & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing

On average, a Lexington energy consumer uses702 kWh and pays $131.63 per month for electricity. These figures also cover apartments and other smaller residences with lower energy demand.

For October 2024, Lexington, IL's average electricity rate amounts to 18.75¢ per kWh.

If you consume an average amount of electricity in Lexington, you will need a solar panel system of 6 kW or more to fully account for your full electricity consumption demands. Presently, a 6 kW solar system will be priced at around $23,460at first, but thanks to the 30% federal tax credit, you receive 30% back, reducing the total to $16,422.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in Lexington

On your left, we have provided a full pricing details for the multiple solar panel system sizes installed in Lexington. The investment for a more extensive solar panel setup is greater, but it also yields greater electricity savings and higher income tax credits.

The solar panel cost and benefit breakdown, shown in the calculator down and to the right, is based on an average electric bill of $131.63 in Lexington. Change the $131.63 to your usual bill payment for personalized results.

System Size 2kW
Roof Size Min. space required
143 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $562 a year
Est. Price
$5,474
Savings from a 2kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 2,960 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $47
  • Full payback in 3 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.82 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 38 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 2,024 mi less a year
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $844 a year
Est. Price
$8,211
Savings from a 3kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 4,440 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $70
  • Full payback in 5 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.23 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 56 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 3,036 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,125 a year
Est. Price
$10,948
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 5,920 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $94
  • Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.64 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 75 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 4,048 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,406 a year
Est. Price
$13,685
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,400 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $117
  • Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.04 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 94 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 5,059 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,687 a year
Est. Price
$16,422
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,880 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $132
  • Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.3 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 106 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 5,700 mi less a year

Lexington Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

For rural agricultural properties and small businesses, the REAP Grant might currently cover between 80% and 100% of the expenses for installing photovoltaic or wind energy systems. Think you fit this category? Check your qualification with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.

Most homeowners can benefit from the federal 30% income tax credit for solar panels, which turns adopting solar energy a practical choice in numerous regions of the U.S. In addition to federal incentives, there are many state and local efforts to encourage solar energy adoption.

Multiple utilities and government agencies in Illinois provide 7 solar rebate and incentive programs.

Solar incentives in IL

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 Illinois?

If you intend to own your residence longer than the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a smart investment in Lexington. A 5 kW system in Lexington, IL will save you, on average, $17,906.2 over a 20 period and the average break even point is 9 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Lexington, IL

Apart from the savings mentioned earlier, failing to install solar panels or an alternative energy backup leads to you being wholly dependent on your electric utility for electricity. Recent news examples have shown that complete dependence on your utility provider isn't always the most favorable condition.

The average number of outages per customer per year in Lexington is 1.38. The average duration of each outage is 105.25 minutes. During severe events like tornadoes, construction accidents, or grid management errors, these times can grow significantly longer.

A solar energy system could help mitigate the effects of future outages, whether or not it has a backup battery.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in McLean County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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What impacts the cost of solar panels in Lexington, IL?

Your Energy Needs - Larger solar panel systems have a greater upfront cost, but the cost per watt reduces. Installing a solar panel system that can cover the electric bill is useful to consumers because of the reduced long-term costs.

Make & Model - Just like other products, solar panels come in a wide variety of makes and models. Because the installer you choose might have particular system preferences, choosing a recommended installer is even more important. The employment of superior makes and models is likely to provide a more satisfactory long-term experience for buyers.

Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have become the standard in the industry, and it's easy to see why. Despite the higher price tag, these panels produce greater energy output. The majority of installation experts use panels made from this material.

Your Property - Things such as trees, rough terrain, or additional hurdles can cause the installation to be more difficult. Many solar installers today use satellite imagery to evaluate your home and factor in these factors into the preliminary cost estimate.

Labor Rates - The wage differences between companies lead to costs that are transferred to the consumers. Companies that pay higher wages often garner higher reviews for their work and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - The cost of installation will differ depending on local permitting and utility interconnection fees. Quality local installers will include these figures in your preliminary estimates to provide transparency.

See what solar panels cost in other IL cities

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Who are the best solar installers in Lexington?

Freedom Forever

Temecula, CA(800) 685-1850

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Solar SME Inc.

Duncanville, TX(832) 626-2337

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

YellowLite

Cleveland, OH(877) 743-8757

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Academy Energy Group

Newburgh, IN(812) 518-2150

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.

SunVest Solar

Pewaukee, WI(262) 547-1200

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Plug PV

Albany, NY(518) 948-5316

Services

  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

SunPro Solar

Mandeville, LA(866) 599-3643

Services

  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Power Home Solar

Mooresville, NC(704) 870-3670

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

RISE Power

Richardson, TX(855) 747-3769

Services

  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Dividend Finance

San Francisco, CA(415) 805-7000

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Eagle Point Solar

Dubuque, IA(563) 582-4044

Services

  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Palmetto Solar

Charleston, SC(855) 339-1831

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

SunPower Corporation

San Jose, CA(800) 786-7693

Services

  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Silver Sun Solar

Deltona, FL(340) 227-7785

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Tick Tock Energy

Effingham, IL(217) 994-9020

Services

  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Harvest Solar

Jackson, MI(888) 907-6527

Services

  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

AES Solar

Carterville, IL(618) 988-0888

Services

  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Sunnova Energy

Houston, TX(866) 786-6682

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Sunrun

San Francisco, CA(833) 394-3384

Services

  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

GRNE Solar

Palatine, IL(312) 859-3417

Services

  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Sigora Solar

Charlottesville, VA(434) 465-6192

Services

  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Entegrity

Little Rock, AR(800) 700-1414

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Ideal Energy

Fairfield, IA(800) 634-4454

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Soltage

Jersey City, NJ(201) 432-1786

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Engie North America

Houston, TX(713) 636-0000

Services

  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

City Electric Supply

Dallas, TX(866) 634-9853

Services

  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

LightEdison

Denver, CO(888) 966-6377

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

PowerHome Solar

Mooresville, NC(704) 870-3670

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Empire Solar Group

Salt Lake City, UT(800) 467-4562

Services

  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Badass Energy

Claremont, CA(909) 320-9860

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Lexington, IL Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • As of October, 2024, the typical cost for solar panels in Lexington, IL is $3.91/W. For a 5 kW solar panel system, the total cost in Lexington, IL after federal tax credits is around $13,685.
  • Right now, Illinois has 7 rebates and incentives available through a variety of utility companies and government entities. Also, nearly everyone can take advantage of the 30% federal tax credit.
  • Opting to pay in cash provides the highest savings, but there are now various financing options for solar panels that are cost-effective. Installers typically partner with financing companies and will incorporate this information into your initial quotes.
  • Yes, in Lexington, IL, the average time for 5 kW solar panel systems to pay for themselves is 9 years, leading to electricity savings of $17,906.2 over a 20-year period.
Matt Hope
Last Reviewed By: Matt Hope
Published: 2024-10-01