Solar Panels Cost 11k-22k in South Bend, IN | November, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $11k-$22k in South Bend, IN | November, 2024

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How much do solar panels cost in South Bend, IN in 2024?

To get solar panels installed in South Bend, IN is approximately $4.02 per watt in the month of November, 2024.

According to this rate per watt, we can come to the conclusion that for every 1 kW (1000 watts) your system can generate you will have to invest $4,020 to have your solar system installed. In South Bend, you will pay approximately $14,070 for a 5 kW panel install after deducting the 30% federal income tax credit. Your energy needs may require a bigger system.

Choose your county from the menu on the left to view the typical roof size and maximum solar panel capacity for homes in your area. Displayed below is a 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.
South Bend: $14,070US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
South Bend: 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.
South Bend: $12,130US Average: $16,169

Solar Potential in South Bend

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

Roof size 608sq. ft.
Capacity 8.5kW DC
Electricity 9.1kkWh AC per yr.

Electricity Costs in South Bend, IN & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing

The average monthly electric bill for a South Bend energy consumer is $134.29, based on an typical usage of 831 kWh. Compact dwellings, such as townhouses and duplexes, are also encompassed in the figures noted in the prior sentence.

In November 2024, the average electricity rate in South Bend, IN is 16.17¢ per kWh.

In South Bend, the typical energy consumer must have a solar power setup of 8 kW or more to satisfy their full electricity needs. Currently, an 8 kW solar panel installation costs around $22,512 after incentives.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in South Bend

To the left side and below, you will see the cost summary for multiple sizes of solar panel systems set up in South Bend. More extensive solar installations carry a higher price, yet they also provide increased electricity savings and more generous income tax credits.

Refer to the solar panel cost calculator to the right and below to see the cost and benefit details based on an average $134.29 electric bill in South Bend. To get results more personalized, change the $134.29 to reflect your average electricity bill.

System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $872 a year
Est. Price
$11,256
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 5,451 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $73
  • Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.99 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 229 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 12,356 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,090 a year
Est. Price
$14,070
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 6,814 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $91
  • Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 6.24 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 287 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 15,446 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,308 a year
Est. Price
$16,884
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,177 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $109
  • Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 7.49 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 344 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 18,535 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,526 a year
Est. Price
$19,698
Savings from a 7kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 9,539 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $127
  • Full payback in 12 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 8.74 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 401 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 21,624 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,744 a year
Est. Price
$22,512
Savings from a 8kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 10,902 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $134
  • Full payback in 14 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 9.2 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 423 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 22,781 mi less a year

South Bend Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

For rural small businesses and farms, the REAP Grant could provide funding that covers between 80% and 100% of the necessary expenses for installing renewable energy systems. Believe you fit this category? Confirm your qualification with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.

For residential solar projects, nearly all people are eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit, which makes solar a sensible solution in many parts of the country. Alongside federal efforts, state and local programs help to support the use of solar power.

Residents of Indiana can access 4 solar rebate and incentive programs from a number of utilities and governmental bodies.

Solar incentives in IN

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.

Are solar panels worth it in Indiana?

Homeowners in South Bend who expect to live in their residence beyond the payback period of their solar system will find solar panels an clear choice. If you install a 5 kW solar system in South Bend, IN, you might save $18,159.6 over 20 years on average, with a break even point at roughly 9 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in South Bend, IN

Apart from missing out on the savings highlighted above, the absence of solar panels or an alternative backup energy solution leads to total dependency on your electric utility for power. Complete dependence on your utility isn't always the best idea, as numerous recent news reports have illustrated.

Yearly, customers in South Bend have experienced approximately 1.23 utility outages.Each year, customers in South Bend have experienced approximately 1.23 utility outages. On average, an outage lasts 204.19 minutes. When major events such as wildlife damage, grid management errors or landslides occur, these durations can increase significantly

A solar panel system could lessen the burden of future outages, even if it lacks a backup battery.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in St. Joseph County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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What impacts the cost of solar panels in South Bend, IN?

Your Energy Needs - Even if the initial expense is larger, the price per watt declines with larger solar panel systems. Consumers often realize that setting up a solar system to fully cover their electric bill is a good move, resulting in the most savings.

Make & Model - Like other items, solar panels are available in a range of makes and models. The potential system preferences of your selected installer make it crucial to pick a highly rated company. For consumers seeking a superior long-term experience, opting for better quality equipment is essential.

Solar Panel Type - For many good reasons, monocrystalline panels are now the industry standard. Although they are costlier, they generate increased energy. The majority of installers utilize panels made of this material.

Your Property - Every home and property differs in its own way. Challenges like sloping terrain, trees, or additional hindrances can increase the difficulty of installing solar panels. Using satellite imagery, solar installers can today assess your home and integrate these elements into the first cost estimate.

Labor Rates - The pay employees get from their employers vary, and these expenses are passed on to the consumers. Businesses paying more to their employees frequently get higher reviews for their work and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - Depending on the area, local permitting and utility interconnection fees will impact the cost of your installation. Quality installers will factor these costs into your preliminary quotes to prevent unexpected expenses.

See what solar panels cost in other IN cities

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Who are the best solar installers in South Bend?

YellowLite

Cleveland, OH(216) 333-1364

Services

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

Academy Energy Group

Newburgh, IN(812) 518-2150

Services

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

Power Home Solar

Mooresville, NC(704) 870-3670

Services

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

SunPower Corporation

San Jose, CA(800) 786-7693

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation 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.

Silver Sun Solar

Deltona, FL(407) 832-42452

Services

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

Harvest Solar

Jackson, MI(888) 907-6527

Services

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

GRNE Solar

Palatine, IL(312) 859-3417

Services

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

Sigora Solar

Charlottesville, VA(434) 465-6192

Services

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

Entegrity

Little Rock, AR(800) 700-1414

Services

  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Ideal Energy

Fairfield, IA(800) 634-4454

Services

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

City Electric Supply

Dallas, TX(866) 634-9853

Services

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

PowerHome Solar

Mooresville, NC(704) 870-3670

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.

Icon Solar

Milford, OH(513) 396-7777

Services

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

South Bend, IN Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • In South Bend, IN, the mean cost per watt for solar panels as recorded in November, 2024 is $4.02/W. The approximate cost of a 5 kW solar panel system in South Bend, IN, after deducting federal tax credits, is $14,070.
  • Indiana offers 4 different rebates and incentives from a range of utilities and government organizations. Also, nearly everyone can take advantage of the 30% federal tax credit.
  • While cash payments provide the most savings, there are now many financing options for solar panels that are also cost-effective. Information about financing options will often be detailed in your preliminary quotes by many installers.
  • Yes, the typical payback time for 5 kW solar panel systems in South Bend, IN is 9 years, and the expected electricity cost savings over 20 years is $18,159.6.
Ginalyn Gelera
Last Reviewed By: Ginalyn Gelera
Published: 2024-11-04