Solar Panels Cost 2.7k-13k in Niles, IL | October, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $2.7k-$13k in Niles, IL | October, 2024

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

The current cost per watt for solar panel installations in Niles, IL in October, 2024 is $3.96/W.

In accordance with the price, we are able to come to the conclusion that for every 1 kW (1000 watts) of solar generation capacity will require an investment of $3,960 for installation. A 5 kW solar panel install in Niles averages approximately $13,860 after accounting for the 30% federal income tax credit. It's vital to consider that a more powerful system might be essential to meet your energy demands.

Choose your county from the menu on the left to see the average roof size and maximum solar panel system capacity for homes in your area. Additionally, you can also see an overview 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.
Niles: $13,860US Average: $12,562
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Niles: 10 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Niles: $7,613US Average: $15,784

Solar Potential in Niles

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

Roof size 518sq. ft.
Capacity 7.25kW DC
Electricity 8.3kkWh AC per yr.

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

Energy consumers in Niles usually pay $114.22 per month for electricity, consuming an typical of 601 kWh. These numbers also cover apartments and smaller dwellings with less energy demand.

Niles, IL's electricity rate averages 18.99¢ per kWh in October 2024.

If your household uses a typical amount of electricity in Niles, you will need a solar panel system of 5 kW or larger to fully account for your full energy usage needs. The price of a a 5 kW solar panel system is approximately $19,800 upfront, but the federal tax credit provides a 30% credit, bringing the price down to $13,860.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in Niles

To your left, there is a detailed cost breakdown for the various solar panel system sizes set up in Niles. When you choose a larger solar system, the cost is larger, but it also yields higher electricity savings and a more substantial income tax credit.

The cost and benefit breakdown for solar panels, presented in the calculator down and to the right, is based on an average electric bill of $114.22 in Niles. Swap the $114.22 with your average electricity bill for custom results.

System Size 1kW
Roof Size Min. space required
72 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $281 a year
Est. Price
$2,772
Savings from a 1kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 1,480 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $23
  • Full payback in 2 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.47 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 22 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 1,172 mi less a year
System Size 2kW
Roof Size Min. space required
143 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $562 a year
Est. Price
$5,544
Savings from a 2kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 2,960 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $47
  • Full payback in 4 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.95 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 43 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 2,343 mi less a year
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $844 a year
Est. Price
$8,316
Savings from a 3kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 4,440 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $70
  • Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.42 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 65 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 3,515 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,125 a year
Est. Price
$11,088
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 5,920 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $94
  • Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.89 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 87 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 4,687 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,406 a year
Est. Price
$13,860
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,400 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $114
  • 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

Niles Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

The REAP Grant can potentially cover between 80% and 100% of the installation costs for solar or wind turbines for rural small businesses and farms. Curious if you qualify? Our REAP Grant eligibility tool can help you verify.

Homeowners can take advantage of a 30% federal income tax credit for installing residential solar panels, making solar power a sensible option across much of the country. Moreover, a number of state and local programs are available to incentivize solar adoption.

Multiple utilities and government organizations in Illinois have 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 your goal is to maintain your home well past the payback period of your solar system, solar panels are an clear choice in Niles. A 5 kW system in Niles, IL will save the average homeowner, on average, $13,552.8 over a 20 period and the average break even point is 10 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Niles, IL

Apart from missing out on the aforementioned savings, not installing solar panels or any backup energy system leaves you totally reliant on your electric utility for power. Recent news coverage has demonstrated that full reliance on your utility company isn't always the most favorable scenario.

Every year, customers in Niles face approximately 0.59 outages each year. On average, each outage lasts for 48.99 minutes. Major events like heavy rain and flooding, construction accidents, or overloaded power grids can considerably extend these durations.

Whether or not a backup battery is included, a solar panel system could reduce the impact of future power outages you might encounter.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Cook County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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

Your Energy Needs - While the upfront cost is larger, the price per watt declines with larger solar panel systems. Individuals often find that installing a solar system that can offset their electric bill is highly beneficial. This strategy results in increased savings.

Make & Model - As with many other products, there are different makes and models of solar panels and mounting equipment available. The brand preferences of your selected installer can make it important to pick a reputable installer. Buyers who opt for better materials generally enjoy a superior long-term experience.

Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have emerged as the industry standard, and deservedly so. Even though they are more expensive, they produce more energy. The majority of installers utilize panels constructed from this material.

Your Property - Trees, uneven land, or other obstacles can make the installation process more challenging. With the use of satellite images, many solar installers currently can evaluate your home and include these elements into the initial cost estimate.

Labor Rates - Variations in employee wages across companies cause expenses that are passed on to the consumers. Companies that invest in higher wages often see higher reviews for their services and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - Local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which differ by region, will influence your final installation cost. That said, reputable local installers will be able to build these numbers into your first quotes so there are no surprises.

See what solar panels cost in other IL cities

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Who are the best solar installers in Niles?

Freedom Forever

Temecula, CA(800) 685-1850

Services

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

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

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

Academy Energy Group

Newburgh, IN(812) 518-2150

Services

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

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

SunPro Solar

Mandeville, LA(866) 599-3643

Services

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

Power Home Solar

Mooresville, NC(704) 870-3670

Services

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

RISE Power

Richardson, TX(855) 747-3769

Services

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

Dividend Finance

San Francisco, CA(415) 805-7000

Services

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

Eagle Point Solar

Dubuque, IA(563) 582-4044

Services

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

Palmetto Solar

Charleston, SC(855) 339-1831

Services

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

SunPower Corporation

San Jose, CA(800) 786-7693

Services

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

Silver Sun Solar

Deltona, FL(340) 227-7785

Services

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

Tick Tock Energy

Effingham, IL(217) 994-9020

Services

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

Harvest Solar

Jackson, MI(888) 907-6527

Services

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

AES Solar

Carterville, IL(618) 988-0888

Services

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

Sunnova Energy

Houston, TX(866) 786-6682

Services

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

Sunrun

San Francisco, CA(833) 394-3384

Services

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

GRNE Solar

Palatine, IL(312) 859-3417

Services

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

Sigora Solar

Charlottesville, VA(434) 465-6192

Services

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

Entegrity

Little Rock, AR(800) 700-1414

Services

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

Ideal Energy

Fairfield, IA(800) 634-4454

Services

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

Soltage

Jersey City, NJ(201) 432-1786

Services

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

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

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

LightEdison

Denver, CO(888) 966-6377

Services

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

PowerHome Solar

Mooresville, NC(704) 870-3670

Services

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

Empire Solar Group

Salt Lake City, UT(800) 467-4562

Services

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

Badass Energy

Claremont, CA(909) 320-9860

Services

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

Niles, IL Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • The average solar panel cost in Niles, IL as of October, 2024 is estimated at $3.96/W. With the federal tax credit, the cost of a 5 kW solar panel system in Niles, IL drops to roughly $13,860.
  • Residents of Illinois can currently take advantage of 7 rebates and incentives offered by various utilities and government bodies. Also, nearly everyone can take advantage of the 30% federal tax credit.
  • While paying cash provides the most savings, various financing options for solar panels exist that also are financially sensible. Financing options from installers will often be detailed in your initial quotes.
  • Yes, in Niles, IL, the average time for 5 kW solar panel systems to pay for themselves is 10 years, leading to electricity savings of $13,552.8 over a 20-year period.
Ginalyn Gelera
Last Reviewed By: Ginalyn Gelera
Published: 2024-10-01