Solar Panels Cost $7.7k-$18k in Union County, IL | November, 2024
High Power Bills?
Reduce or replace your electricity bill with solar
No data available
How much do solar panels cost in Union County, IL in 2024?
No data available
You will spend, on average, $3.69 per watt in the month of November, 2024 in Union County, IL to go solar.
You should expect costs to be $3,690, on average, for every 1 kW (or 1000 watts) of solar energy your solar panel system will need to generate. We are able to conclude this as a result of this rate price cost. In Union County, the price of a 5 kW solar installation is generally $12,915, after you subtract 30% federal tax credit. It's worth noting that a bigger system may be needed to fulfill your energy needs.
To the left, you have the option to select your county and see the typical roof size along with the average maximum capacity for residential solar in homes in your area. Below is a detailed 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.
Union County: $12,915US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Union 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.
Union County: $19,676US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Union County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Union County.
Roof size 679sq. ft.
Capacity 9.5kW DC
Electricity 11kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Union County, IL & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
The monthly kWh usage for a Union County energy consumer is 776, with an average electric bill of 158.86. Compact dwellings, such as townhouses and condos, are also encompassed in the statistics mentioned in the prior sentence.
In November 2024, the electricity rate in Union County, IL is 20.48¢ per kWh.
At this time, a 7 kW solar system costs $18,081 when including the 30% federal income tax credit.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Union County
On the left, you will find a price breakdown for multiple solar panel system sizes set up in Union County. Even though a larger solar installation comes with a higher price, it also yields higher electricity savings and more substantial income tax credits.
In the solar panel cost calculator situated below and to the right, you can examine a cost and benefit breakdown to match an average $158.86 electric bill in Union County. To get custom results, change the $158.86 to reflect your average 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
$7,749
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 1.08 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 50 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 2,676 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,184 a year
Est. Price
$10,332
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 1.44 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 66 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,568 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,480 a year
Est. Price
$12,915
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 1.8 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 83 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 4,459 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,776 a year
Est. Price
$15,498
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 2.16 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 99 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,351 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,072 a year
Est. Price
$18,081
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,360 kWh
Est. monthly savings $159
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.32 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 107 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,749 mi less a year
Union County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
For rural farms and small businesses, the REAP Grant might currently cover between 80% and 100% of the expenses for installing solar or wind energy systems. Curious if you fit this category? Confirm your eligibility with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
Nearly all residents are eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, which makes it a practical option in many states in the country. In addition to the federal incentives, state and local programs also aim to boost solar energy uptake.
Illinois provides 10 solar rebates and incentives from multiple utility companies and government organizations.
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 Union County, IL?
If you expect to live in your home beyond the payback period of your solar system, solar panels are an clear choice in Union County. By installing a 5 kW solar system in Union County, IL, you can expect to save roughly $25,211.4 over 20 years, with the break even point typically being 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Union County, IL
Failing to have solar panels or an alternative backup energy results in missing the savings mentioned earlier and being completely reliant on your electric utility for electricity. Numerous recent examples in the news have highlighted that complete reliance on your utility company is not always the best option.
Lately, customers in Union County have encountered an average of 0.72 utility outages each year. On average, each outage lasts for 90.48 minutes. Major events like thunderstorms, planned maintenance, or overloaded power grids can considerably extend these durations.
See the info below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Union County.
A solar panel system, whether or not it has a backup battery, could reduce the impact of future outages you might experience.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Union County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Union County, IL?
Your Energy Needs - Investing in larger solar panel systems costs more upfront, but the price per watt is lowered as the system size grows. For most homeowners, setting up a system that can generate enough power to eliminate their entire electric bill is useful, providing significant savings.
Make & Model - Solar panels, like many other products, are available in various makes and models. Your contractor’s potential brand preferences make it crucial to choose a reputable contractor. For buyers desiring a more favorable long-term experience, investing in superior quality makes and models is critical.
Solar Panel Type - The standard in the industry is now monocrystalline panels, and justifiably so. These panels have a higher cost but yield more energy. The majority of installers in the industry work with panels constructed of this material.
Your Property - Trees, uneven landscapes, or other obstacles can increase the complexity of the installation. These days, solar installers can leverage satellite images to assess your home and factor in these factors into the first cost estimate.
Labor Rates - Companies compensate their employees in varying amounts, and these costs are borne by consumers. Companies that invest in higher wages often see higher reviews for their work and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which vary by region, will influence your final installation cost. Reliable local installers will build these figures into your preliminary estimates to prevent any surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Union County cities
As of November, 2024, the average per-watt cost for solar panels in Union County, IL is $3.69/W. The approximate cost of a 5 kW solar panel system in Union County, IL, after deducting federal tax credits, is $12,915.
Currently, Illinois residents can benefit from 10 rebates and incentives available through various utilities and government bodies. On top of that, nearly everyone can qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
Even though cash payments yield the greatest savings, several financing options for solar panels today are also financially beneficial. Information about financing options is typically included in initial quotes provided by installers.
Yes, the typical payback time for 5 kW solar panel systems in Union County, IL is 7 years, and the expected electricity cost savings over 20 years is $25,211.4.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
