Solar Panels Cost $7.7k-$17k in Macoupin County, IL | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Macoupin County, IL in 2024?
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The typical cost per watt of solar in Macoupin County, IL in November, 2024 is estimated at $3.67/W.
Applying the cost per watt, solar panels will cost you about $3,670 per 1K (or 1000 watts) of production capacounty. On average, the cost for a 5 kW system in Macoupin County, after the 30% federal tax credit, comes to $12,845. Don't overlook, a bigger system may be needed to satisfy your energy demands.
By selecting your county on the left, you can find out the average roof size and the average maximum capacity for residential solar panel systems in your area. You can review the price, payback period, and 20-year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county below.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Macoupin County: $12,845US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Macoupin 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.
Macoupin County: $19,616US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Macoupin County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Macoupin County.
Roof size 679sq. ft.
Capacity 9.5kW DC
Electricity 11kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Macoupin County, IL & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
The average monthly electric bill for Macoupin County residents is 158.19, with an average usage of 774 kWh. Smaller homes, such as apartments, are also encompassed in the numbers noted in the previous sentence.
The rate of electricity in Macoupin County, IL, averaging, is 20.43¢ per kWh for November 2024.
The upfront cost for a 7 kW solar panel system is $25,690, but with a 30% tax credit, your total comes down to $17,983.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Macoupin County
On the left side below, you can find a detailed cost breakdown for various solar panel system sizes set up in Macoupin County. A more extensive solar array will obviously cost more, but it will also offer more significant electricity savings and higher income tax credits.
The cost-benefit analysis for solar panels, presented in the calculator below and to the right, is based on an average electric bill of $158.19 in Macoupin County. To achieve personalized results, alter the $158.19 to align with your usual electricity payment.
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
$7,707
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 1.06 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 49 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 2,633 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,184 a year
Est. Price
$10,276
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 1.42 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 65 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,511 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,480 a year
Est. Price
$12,845
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 1.77 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 81 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 4,389 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,776 a year
Est. Price
$15,414
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 2.13 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 98 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,266 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,072 a year
Est. Price
$17,983
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 2.27 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 104 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,622 mi less a year
Macoupin County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
Rural small businesses and farms can benefit from the REAP Grant, which may cover between 80% and 100% of your solar energy or wind turbine installation costs. To determine your eligibility, use our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
Almost all residents are eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, which makes it a feasible option in various states in the country. A variety of regional and state programs are available to encourage solar energy adoption.
There are 10 solar rebate and incentive programs currently offered in Illinois by multiple utilities and government bodies.
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 Macoupin County, IL?
For those expecting to remain in their homes after the solar system's payback period, installing solar panels is a smart choice in Macoupin County. If you install a 5 kW solar system in Macoupin County, IL, you might save $25,120.6 over 20 years on average, with a break even point at approximately 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Macoupin County, IL
In addition to forgoing the savings, the absence of solar panels or another backup energy source results in full dependence on your electric utility for your power needs. The news has recently pointed out that total reliance on your utility is not always ideal.
On average, there are 0.72 outages per customer each year in Macoupin County. On average, each outage lasts for 90.48 minutes. Major events like wildfires, planned maintenance, or aging infrastructure can considerably extend these durations.
View the component below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Macoupin County.
A solar panel system, with or without a backup battery, could help mitigate the effects of future outages you might face.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Macoupin County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Macoupin County, IL?
Your Energy Needs - While the upfront cost is greater, the price per watt decreases with larger solar panel systems. Homeowners often discover that setting up a solar system to fully cover their electric bill is a smart choice, leading to the most savings.
Make & Model - Similar to other products, solar panels come in a range of makes and models. Considering the brand preferences that your installer may have, it's crucial to pick a recommended contractor. The employment of high-quality materials is likely to yield a more positive long-term experience for buyers.
Solar Panel Type - It's clear why monocrystalline panels are now the standard in the industry. These panels cost more but yield more energy. Many installers in the industry utilize panels constructed from this material.
Your Property - Each property and residence is unique. Issues like trees, irregular terrain, or additional considerations may add to the complexity of the installation. Most solar installers currently use satellite imagery to assess your home and factor in these considerations into the preliminary 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 frequently higher for businesses that pay higher wages.
Permitting & Interconnection - The local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which differ by region, will impact your final installation price. Quality installers will factor these costs into your first quotes to prevent unexpected expenses.
See what solar panels cost in other Macoupin County cities
In November, 2024, the average cost of solar panels per watt in Macoupin County, IL is $3.67/W. Post federal tax credit, a 5 kW solar panel system installation in Macoupin County, IL will roughly cost $12,845.
If you live in Illinois, you can find 10 rebates and incentives through different utilities and government agencies. On top of that, most individuals are eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit.
Cash payments offer the highest savings, yet multiple financing options now available for solar panels are financially beneficial as well. Many installers have partnerships with financing companies and will provide this information in your initial quotes.
Yes, homeowners in Macoupin County, IL generally see a payback time of 7 years for 5 kW solar panel systems, with electricity savings averaging $25,120.6 over a 20-year period.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
