Solar Panels Cost $5.6k-$16k in Stephenson County, IL | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Stephenson County, IL in 2024?
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On average, in Stephenson County, IL in the month of November, 2024, the price per watt of solar panel installations is $4.02/W.
According to the cost, you should expect costs to be $4,020, on average, for every 1000 watts (or 1 kW) of solar energy your solar panel system will need to produce. In Stephenson County, you will pay approximately $14,070 for a 5 kW solar panel system once the 30% federal income tax credit is factored in. A more powerful system might be necessary to fulfill your energy requirements effectively.
On the left, you can select your county to find out the average roof size and the maximum capacity for solar panels on houses in your area. The following outline, below, highlights the price, 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.
Stephenson County: $14,070US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Stephenson County: 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.
Stephenson County: $12,235US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Stephenson County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Stephenson County.
Roof size 679sq. ft.
Capacity 9.5kW DC
Electricity 11kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Stephenson County, IL & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
In Stephenson County, energy consumers usually see an average electric bill of 134.73 each month, with a typical consumption of 641 kWh. It is important to note that this figure also includes data from smaller residential units, including apartments.
In November 2024, the mean electricity rate in Stephenson County, IL is 21.03¢ per kWh.
The initial cost for a 6 kW solar installation will be $24,120, but with a 30% tax credit, your expense drops to $16,884.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Stephenson County
Located below and to the left, you will see the cost summary for various sizes of the solar panel systems installed in Stephenson County. The initial cost for larger solar systems is greater, but they also provide higher electricity savings and larger income tax credits.
See a cost benefit analysis in the solar panel cost calculator to the right and below, for an average electric bill of $134.73 in Stephenson County. By changing the $134.73 to your typical electricity bill, you can get tailored 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
$5,628
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 0.12 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 5 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 295 mi less a year
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $932 a year
Est. Price
$8,442
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 0.18 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 8 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 443 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,243 a year
Est. Price
$11,256
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 0.24 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 11 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 591 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,554 a year
Est. Price
$14,070
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,400 kWh
Est. monthly savings $129
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.3 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 14 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 738 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,865 a year
Est. Price
$16,884
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,880 kWh
Est. monthly savings $135
Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.31 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 14 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 770 mi less a year
Stephenson County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
Rural farmers and small business owners could have between 80% and 100% of their photovoltaic or wind turbine installation expenses covered by the REAP Grant. Unsure if you qualify? Use our REAP Grant eligibility tool to confirm.
Homeowners can benefit from a 30% federal income tax credit for setting up residential solar panels, which makes solar power a sensible option in much of the country. A multitude of state and local programs are offered to encourage the use of solar energy.
There are 10 solar rebate and incentive initiatives 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 Stephenson County, IL?
If your goal is to own your home well past the payback period of your solar system, solar panels are an excellent choice in Stephenson County. Having a 5 kW solar system in Stephenson County, IL can potentially save you around $18,265.2 over a span of 20 years, with an average break even point of 9 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Stephenson County, IL
In addition to missing out on the previously mentioned savings, not installing solar panels or a different backup energy source results in complete dependence on your electric utility for electricity. As demonstrated by recent news, full reliance on your utility is not always the best option.
On a yearly basis, the average number of outages per customer in Stephenson County has been 0.54. On average, an outage lasts 44.56 minutes. When major events such as thunderstorms, equipment failure, or planned maintenance occur, these durations can increase significantly
View the component below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Stephenson County.
A solar panel system could alleviate the burden of future outages, even if it is without a backup battery.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Stephenson County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Stephenson County, IL?
Your Energy Needs - Even if the initial expense is greater, the price per watt decreases with larger solar panel systems. Individuals often find that installing a solar system that can replace their electric bill is highly beneficial. This approach ensures increased savings.
Make & Model - Just like other products, solar panels come in a wide variety of makes and models. Since the contractor might have particular system preferences, it's essential to select a reputable company. For consumers desiring a more favorable long-term experience, investing in higher quality equipment is important.
Solar Panel Type - The industry standard is now monocrystalline panels, and rightly so. They have a higher price, but they generate more energy. Many solar panel installers opt for this type of material.
Your Property - Each property and home has its own characteristics. Factors like trees, sloping terrain, or additional hindrances can make the installation more challenging. Most solar installers today utilize satellite imagery to assess your home and integrate these considerations into the initial cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The wages that various companies offer their employees are different, and these costs are passed on to the consumers. It is common for companies that offer higher wages to garner better reviews for their work and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - The cost of installation will be influenced by different local permitting and utility interconnection fees. Reliable installers will factor these costs into your first quotes to prevent unexpected expenses.
See what solar panels cost in other Stephenson County cities
The cost per watt for solar panels in Stephenson County, IL during November of 2024 averages $4.02/W. After the federal tax credit, the estimated cost for a 5 kW solar panel system in Stephenson County, IL is roughly $14,070.
If you live in Illinois, you can find 10 rebates and incentives through different utilities and government agencies. Moreover, nearly everyone is eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit.
Paying cash will ensure the most savings, but currently there are several options for financing solar panels that are cost-effective as well. Installers often have partnerships with financing companies and will detail this information in your initial quotes.
Yes, the typical duration for 5 kW solar panel systems to pay back their cost in Stephenson County, IL is 9 years, with electricity savings estimated at $18,265.2 over 20 years.
Savings from 
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