Solar Panels Cost $16k-$27k in Benton County, IN | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Benton County, IN in 2024?
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Going solar in Benton County, IN averages out to $3.97 per watt in November, 2024.
You should expect costs to be $3,970, on average, for every 1 kW (or 1000 watts) of solar energy your solar system will need to produce. We are able to come to this conclusion as a result of the rate price cost per watt above. In Benton County, you will pay approximately $13,895 for a 5 kW panel install after subtracting the 30% federal income tax credit. Remember, a bigger system might be required to fulfill your energy requirements effectively.
By selecting your county on the left, you can view the average roof size and the average maximum capacity for residential solar panel systems in your area. See below a full overview of the {price|costs, payback period, and 20-year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Benton County: $13,895US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Benton County: 6 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Benton County: $26,496US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Benton County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Benton County.
Roof size 733sq. ft.
Capacity 10.25kW DC
Electricity 11.9kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Benton County, IN & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
In Benton County, the monthly kWh usage for residents averages 1,226 kWh, with an average bill of 193.11. Keep in mind that this number includes data from both apartments and smaller homes with lower energy requirements.
As of November 2024, the mean rate for electricity per kWh in Benton County, IN is 15.75¢.
The estimated cost for a 10 kW solar system is $39,700 before incentives, but with a 30% federal tax credit, it drops to $27,790.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Benton County
Displayed below and to the left, you can find a comprehensive pricing structure for multiple solar panel system sizes set up in Benton County. Larger solar installations carry a greater cost, yet they also offer increased electricity savings and higher income tax credits.
The solar panel cost calculator to the right and below analyzes costs and benefits, using an average $193.11 electric bill in Benton County To achieve tailored results, adjust the $193.11 to reflect your typical electricity payment.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,420 a year
Est. Price
$16,674
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,874 kWh
Est. monthly savings $118
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 0 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,656 a year
Est. Price
$19,453
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,353 kWh
Est. monthly savings $138
Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 0 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,893 a year
Est. Price
$22,232
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 11,832 kWh
Est. monthly savings $158
Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 0 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,130 a year
Est. Price
$25,011
Savings from a 9kWthis system
Est. yearly production 13,311 kWh
Est. monthly savings $177
Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 0 mi less a year
System Size 10kW
Roof Size Min. space required
715 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,366 a year
Est. Price
$27,790
Savings from a 10kWthis system
Est. yearly production 14,790 kWh
Est. monthly savings $193
Full payback in 12 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 0 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 0 mi less a year
Benton County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
The REAP Grant currently offers between 80% and 100% coverage for the installation costs of photovoltaic or wind turbines for rural small businesses and agricultural businesses. Think you fit the criteria? Verify your eligibility with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
Thanks to the 30% federal income tax credit, residential solar installations are within reach for most people, rendering solar power a feasible investment across various states. Furthermore, various state and local programs are in place to further encourage the adoption of solar power.
Multiple utilities and government agencies in Indiana provide 6 solar rebate and incentive programs.
Solar incentives in INIncentive Description Value
Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption
Value:Varies
Property tax exemptions apply in Indiana for solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power and thermal devices. (Solar devices installed before January 1, 2012 do not qualify for an exemption.) For most generation systems, exemptions will amount to the currently assessed value of the system (adjusted for depreciation.) Solar thermal, HVAC, or pool heating systems will be exempted at a fixed amount equal to parts and labor costs. Unique to Indiana, should the owner sell their property, exemptions will not apply to the new owner. Qualifying taxpayers may claim the exemption by filing Form 18865 with their county. Additional information is available from the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance website.
Community Conservation Challenge
Value:Varies
NOTE: This program is closed to new applicants. Indiana's Community Conservation Challenge is a grant program managed by the Office of Energy Development. Commercial, industrial, or agricultural property owners may be eligible for $20,000 - $80,000 to install new renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. Projects that may qualify for funding include green vehicles, HVAC, lighting, solar PV/thermal systems, and wind turbines. At least one community must partner with the property owner, and the completed project should be visible to the public eye. Additional information is available from the OED website.
NIPSCO - Feed-In Tariff
Value:Varies
NIPSCO pays feed-in tariffs to distributed renewable energy customers with systems rated for 3 kilowatts to one megawatt of capacity. Monthly compensation will take the form of a bill credit based on the amount of excess energy sent back to the grid. Unlike net metering, NIPSCO has greater control over how much of a customer's generated energy can be considered "excess." This control is to keep the grid stable. Customers must "opt in" to receive tariffs by filling out an application on the NIPSCO website and paying an administration fee based on system capacity; the current fee is $1 per kilowatt plus $25.
Clean Energy Portfolio Standard
Value:Varies
Indiana has adopted a non-binding renewable portfolio standard called the CHOICE. There have been three clean energy targets set with the final goal of sourcing 10% of the state's energy from renewable sources by 2025. Unique to the CHOICE standard, up to 30% of investments can be in cleaner conventional energy (natural gas, CHP, and clean coal). Participation in the CHOICE is completely voluntary. Interested utilities can register with the state's Utility Regulatory Commission to submit business and project plans. As a utility makes CHOICE investments, they will earn Clean Energy Credits pegging energy capacity to a fixed dollar value. Additional information is available from the CHOICE website.
City of Bloomington - Sustainable Development Incentives
Value:Varies
Special administrative incentives may apply to new construction in Bloomington, IN if it meets certain green building standards. The city has established standards across four areas, including energy efficiency, landscape/water efficiency, public policy (specifically promoting alternative vehicles), and public transportation. Buildings meeting certain minimum quotas for projects in the goal areas may qualify for permit fee waivers and less strict setback requirements. Additional information is available from the Bloomington city website.
City of Indianapolis - Green Building Incentive Program
Value:Varies
Special permitting privileges may apply to new projects in Indianapolis or greater Marion County if designers adhere to certain energy efficiency standards. Qualifying structures should either use on-site solar panels/small wind equipment or be ASHRAE 90.1 certified. Appliances, lighting, and HVAC systems used should be ENERGY STAR certified. Once the builder applies for permits, the structure will be ranked across six sustainability criteria. If it passes minimum standards on at least half of the criteria, 30% of the total permit fees will be refunded. For each additional criterion, another 10% will be added to the total rebate. Additional information is available from the Indianapolis city website.
Are solar panels worth it in Benton County, IN?
If you intend to own your residence longer than the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a good investment in Benton County. By installing a 5 kW solar system in Benton County, IN, you can expect to save approximately $32,451.4 over 20 years, with the break even point usually being 6 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Benton County, IN
Not having solar panels or any other backup energy system results in missing the earlier mentioned savings and full dependence on your electric utility for electricity. Many recent examples in the news have shown that total dependence on your utility company is not always the best option.
Annually, customers in Benton County have experienced approximately 0.87 utility outages.Each year, customers in Benton County have dealt with approximately 0.87 utility outages. On average, an outage lasts 181.37 minutes. When major events such as thunderstorms, grid management errors, or construction accidents occur, these durations can increase significantly
Take a look at the info below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Benton County.
A solar energy system could help mitigate the effects of future outages, with or without a backup battery.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Benton County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Benton County, IN?
Your Energy Needs - Larger solar panel setups come with a larger price tag, yet the cost per watt decreases as the size of the system grows. Individuals often realize that setting up a solar system that can cover their entire electric bill is useful, ensuring significant savings.
Make & Model - Solar panels and mounting equipment, just like many other products, are available in different makes and models. The contractor’s preference for system makes it essential to select a reputable installer. Buyers who choose high-quality materials generally enjoy a more favorable long-term experience.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have emerged as the industry standard, and for good reason. These panels are more costly, yet they generate more energy. Most installers tend to utilize panels made from this material.
Your Property - Each property and home has its own characteristics. Factors like trees, irregular terrain, or other hindrances can make the installation more challenging. Today, the most solar installers can assess your home with satellite images and incorporate these considerations in the initial cost estimate.
Labor Rates - Companies offer different pay rates to their employees, which are then reflected in the prices consumers pay. Higher reviews for work and customer service are generally associated with businesses that pay higher wages.
Permitting & Interconnection - Permitting and utility interconnection fees vary locally and will impact your installation cost. Reliable installers will factor these costs into your first quotes to prevent unexpected expenses.
See what solar panels cost in other Benton County cities
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Who are the best solar installers in Benton County?
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
Consulting on all things solar related.
Benton County, IN Solar Panel Cost FAQs
As of November, 2024, the average cost for solar panels in Benton County, IN is $3.97/W. Installing a 5 kW solar panel system in Benton County, IN will cost approximately $13,895 after applying the federal tax credit.
Various utility providers and government organizations in Indiana are offering 6 rebates and incentives at this time. Furthermore, the majority of people qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
While paying cash provides the most savings, several financing options for solar panels exist that also make financial sense. Your preliminary quotes will usually include financing options available through installers.
Yes, in Benton County, IN, the average payback period for 5 kW solar panels is 6 years, resulting in average electricity savings of $32,451.4 over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
