Solar Panels Cost $11k-$22k in Starke County, IN | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Starke County, IN in 2024?
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To have solar panels installed in Starke County, IN in November, 2024 averages out to $3.93/W.
Applying the rate, we are able to come to the conclusion that for every 1000 watts (1 kW) your solar system can generate you will have to spend $3,930 to get your system installed. In Starke County, you will spend about $13,755 for a 5 kW solar installation once the 30% federal income tax credit is factored in. However, it’s vital to take into account that a more extensive system may be necessary to fulfill your energy demands.
To the left, you can choose your county to view the average roof size and the maximum capacity of solar panels for houses in your area. Displayed below is an outline 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.
Starke County: $13,755US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Starke County: 8 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Starke County: $16,331US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Starke County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Starke County.
Roof size 733sq. ft.
Capacity 10.25kW DC
Electricity 11.9kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Starke County, IN & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
Energy consumers in Starke County typically pay 149.92 per month for electricity, with an average monthly usage of945 kWh. Smaller residences, such as lofts or apartments, are also included in the numbers referenced in the earlier sentence.
The average rate for electricity in Starke County, IN during November, 2024 is 15.86¢ per kWh.
Installing a an 8 kW solar panel system will cost around $31,440 upfront, but with the federal income tax credit, you can get 30% back, reducing the cost to $22,008.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Starke County
On the left side below, you can find a detailed price breakdown for different solar panel system sizes set up in Starke County. Even though a bigger solar installation carries a higher price tag, it also provides greater electricity savings and higher income tax credits.
Using the solar panel cost calculator located to the right and below, you can view a detailed cost and benefit analysis based on an average electric bill of $149.92 in Starke County. If you want more customized results, just adjust the $149.92 to whatever your average electricity bill is.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $947 a year
Est. Price
$11,004
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 5,916 kWh
Est. monthly savings $79
Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.86 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 223 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 12,023 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,183 a year
Est. Price
$13,755
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,395 kWh
Est. monthly savings $99
Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 6.07 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 279 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 15,029 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,420 a year
Est. Price
$16,506
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,874 kWh
Est. monthly savings $118
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 7.29 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 335 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 18,035 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,656 a year
Est. Price
$19,257
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,353 kWh
Est. monthly savings $138
Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 8.5 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 390 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 21,040 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,893 a year
Est. Price
$22,008
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 11,832 kWh
Est. monthly savings $150
Full payback in 12 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 9.24 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 424 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 22,864 mi less a year
Starke County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
If you run a small business or farm in a rural area, you could receive REAP Grant support that covers 80% to 100% of your solar or wind turbine installation costs. Believe you fit this category? Check your qualification with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
Adding residential solar panels comes with a 30% federal tax credit, available to most homeowners, making it a good option for numerous areas across the country. Alongside federal efforts, state and local programs help to encourage the use of solar power.
Indiana features 6 solar rebate and incentive initiatives available from different utilities and government organizations.
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 Starke County, IN?
When you plan to live in your home beyond the payback period of your solar system, solar panels are an excellent choice in Starke County. A 5 kW system in Starke County, IN will enable you to save you, on average, $22,225.8 over a 20 period and the average break even point is 8 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Starke County, IN
In addition to forgoing the savings, the absence of solar panels or another backup energy source results in full dependence on your electric utility for your power needs. Recent news stories have demonstrated that complete dependence on your utility is not always ideal.
Over the past few years, the utilities in Starke County have reported an average of 0.87 outages per customer annually. Usually, outages have an average duration of 149 minutes. However, during critical events like landslides, overloaded power grids, or construction accidents, these times can extend dramatically.
Take a look at the component below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Starke County.
Whether or not a backup battery is included, a solar panel system could ease the impact of future power outages you might experience.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Starke County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Starke County, IN?
Your Energy Needs - The upfront cost for larger solar panel systems is larger, but the cost per watt decreases as the system size increases. Many people find it advantageous to set up a solar energy system that can fully cover their entire electric bill. This ensures optimal savings.
Make & Model - Similar to other items, solar panels come in a variety of makes and models. As your installer may prefer certain systems, it's essential to choose a reputable contractor. Higher quality makes and models often result in a more satisfactory long-term experience for buyers.
Solar Panel Type - For numerous good reasons, monocrystalline panels are now the standard in the industry. They are associated with a higher price, but they provide more energy. Most solar panel installers opt for this kind of material.
Your Property - Elements such as trees, sloping terrain, or other obstructions might complicate the installation process. Using satellite imagery, solar installers can now assess your home and include these considerations into the initial cost estimate.
Labor Rates - Different companies have varying pay scales for their employees, and these costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. Businesses that invest in higher wages often see higher reviews for their work and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Local permitting and utility level interconnection fees change by area and will affect your final install price. Experienced local installers will incorporate these numbers into your first quotes to prevent any surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Starke County cities
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Who are the best solar installers in Starke County?
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
Consulting on all things solar related.
Starke County, IN Solar Panel Cost FAQs
The average solar panel cost in Starke County, IN as of November, 2024 is estimated at $3.93/W. In Starke County, IN, installing a 5 kW solar panel system will set you back approximately $13,755 after federal tax incentives.
Utilities and government agencies in Indiana are currently offering 6 different rebates and incentives. Furthermore, almost all individuals are entitled to the 30% federal income tax credit.
Opting to pay in cash provides the highest savings, but there are now various financing options for solar panels that are financially beneficial. Many installers will detail information about financing options in their initial quotes.
Yes, on average, 5 kW solar panels in Starke County, IN pay for themselves in 8 years, with homeowners saving approximately $22,225.8 on electricity over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
