Solar Panels Cost $5.0k-$15k in Saline County, IL | February, 2025
High Power Bills?
Reduce or replace your electricity bill with solar
No data available
How much do solar panels cost in Saline County, IL in 2025?
No data available
In Saline County, IL in February, 2025 you will spend about $3.63/W to get a solar system.
According to the cost, expect the price to be $3,630, on average, for every 1000 watts (or 1 kW) of solar energy your solar system can generate. When you subtract the 30% federal tax credit, you can expect to spend about $12,705, in Saline County, for a 5 kW solar setup. It's important to note that a more powerful system may be necessary to satisfy your energy requirements.
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.
Saline County: $12,705US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Saline 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.
Saline County: $19,499US Average: $16,301
Solar Potential in Saline County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Saline County.
Roof size 679sq. ft.
Capacity 9.5kW DC
Electricity 11kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Saline County, IL & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
Saline County energy consumers typically pay 156.87 per month for electricity, with an average usage of 738 kWh. Small residences, including duplexes, are also encompassed in the figures noted in the prior sentence.
For February 2025, the mean electricity rate in Saline County, IL is 21.27¢ per kWh.
Right now, a 6 kW solar installation will cost you approximately $21,780, but the federal tax credit reduces the price by 30%, making it $15,246.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Saline County
Presented on the left and below is the price breakdown for different sizes of solar panel systems set up in Saline County. The initial cost for bigger solar systems is larger, but they also provide more significant electricity savings and higher income tax credits.
The solar panel cost calculator below and to the right analyzes costs and benefits, considering an average $156.87 electric bill in Saline County Adjust the $156.87 to fit your average bill payment for customized outcomes.
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
$5,082
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 0.76 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 35 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 1,888 mi less a year
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $932 a year
Est. Price
$7,623
Savings from a 3kWthis system
Est. yearly production 4,440 kWh
Est. monthly savings $78
Full payback in 4 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.14 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 53 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 2,832 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,243 a year
Est. Price
$10,164
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 5,920 kWh
Est. monthly savings $104
Full payback in 5 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.53 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 70 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,775 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,554 a year
Est. Price
$12,705
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,400 kWh
Est. monthly savings $129
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.91 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 88 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 4,719 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,865 a year
Est. Price
$15,246
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,880 kWh
Est. monthly savings $155
Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.29 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 105 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,663 mi less a year
Saline County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2025
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 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 Saline County, IL?
For those in Saline County looking to stay in their homes past the payback period of their solar system, solar panels make excellent sense. With a 5 kW solar system in Saline County, IL, the average savings over a 20 period is $24,943.8, with break even generally occurring at 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Saline County, 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.
In recent years, customers in Saline County have experienced an average of 0.94 utility outages each year. Outages typically last for an average of 116.26 minutes. Major occurrences like aging infrastructure, lightning strikes or planned maintenance can lead to a significant rise in these time frames.
Take a look at the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Saline County.
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 Saline County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Saline County, 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 Saline County cities
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Saline County, IL Solar Panel Cost FAQs
As recorded in February, 2025, the standard cost for solar panel installations in Saline County, IL is $3.63/W. In Saline County, IL, installing a 5 kW solar panel system will set you back approximately $12,705 after federal tax incentives.
Residents of Illinois can currently take advantage of 10 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 Saline County, IL, 5 kW solar panel systems typically pay off in 7 years, and users save around $24,943.8 in electricity costs over 20 years.