The cost of solar panels in Saint Joseph, IL (2025)

Updated Oct 14, 2025

  • You'll pay an average of $13,630 to install a 5 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system in Saint Joseph, IL before any available incentives.

  • Solar panels typically last 25-30 years, generating free electricity and protecting you from rising utility rates for decades.

Don't overpay for solar in Saint Joseph

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Written by:Emily Walker

Your electric bill doesn't care about your budget. It just keeps climbing. That's the bad news. The good news? Solar panels can lock in decades of predictable energy costs in Saint Joseph, IL while your neighbors watch their utility bills rise.

As of October 2025, the average solar panel system costs $2.73/W including installation in Saint Joseph, IL. For a 5 kW installation, this comes out to about $13,630 before any available incentives, though prices range from $11,586 to $15,674. That may sound like a lot, but most homeowners see solid returns on their solar investment over the system's 25-30 year lifetime.

Average price of a 5 kW solar panel installation in Saint Joseph, IL

Good Price
$11,586 or less
Market Average
$13,630
High Price
$15,674 or more

You may pay even less than what we show here. It doesn't include any potentially available Saint Joseph, IL or local incentives, which can help lower costs.

Your solar panel cost depends on your system's size

It may seem obvious but larger solar panel systems cost more money. We use cost per watt ($/W) so you can easily compare quotes, controlling for slight variations in system size.

While a 5 kW system will only cost you $13,630 in Saint Joseph, IL, doubling the system size effectively doubles the price, so you'll pay about twice that for a 10 kW system.

Average solar cost by system size in Saint Joseph, IL

System size
System cost
System cost (after federal tax credit)*
3 kW$8,178$5,725
4 kW$10,904$7,633
5 kW$13,630$9,541
6 kW$16,356$11,449
7 kW$19,082$13,357
8 kW$21,808$15,266
9 kW$24,534$17,174
10 kW$27,260$19,082

*Due to HR1, passed in July 2025, the federal tax credit expires for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Due to limited installer capacity through the end of the year, the tax credit is largely unavailable for most homeowners starting the process now.

Are solar panels worth it in Saint Joseph, IL?

Solar panels are worth it in most areas, including Saint Joseph, IL. Certain factors, including the cost of electricity, incentives, climate, and the angle at which the sun hits your roof impact how quickly you break even on your investment relative to other areas around the U.S. 

Homeowners in Saint Joseph, IL are expected to save an average of $63,575 over 25 years (the warranty term of most solar panels) on electricity costs with an average-sized solar panel system. We generate this estimate based on recent, real solar quote data from our Marketplace, factoring in system costs, electricity prices, available incentives, and inflation rates.

The savings estimate also includes the federal tax credit, which ends for systems installed after December 31, 2025, and is no longer available for most homeowners due to limited installer capacity through the end of the year. That means your savings will likely be a few thousand dollars less—but solar still delivers strong returns through long-term electric bill reductions.

Payback Period
3.84 Years
25-Year Savings
$63,575
Cost-per-Watt
$2.73

If you can't shell out $13,630 in cash to pay for solar, don't sweat it. You can choose to finance your system with a loan instead. Some companies even offer $0-down loans so you can start saving on day one if your loan payments are less than your current electric bills. Just keep in mind that your long-term savings will be lower with a loan due to interest rates.

For homeowners who prefer not to own their system or want to keep capital flexible, solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs) often provide immediate savings with no money upfront. They're not offered everywhere, though, so it's worth double checking that providers offer these types of agreements systems in your area.

Find out what solar panels cost in your area in 2025
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The numbers we're showing are averages. The price you'll pay for solar depends on many factors unique to you and your home:

If you're looking for solar companies in IL, here are some popular suggestions:

  • All Energy Solar
    Multi-state
    Established 2009
    Elite+ Installer
    Our team of industry professionals have been focused on providing long term, trusted relationships since 2009. O... 
    Elite+ Installer
    Screened & Verified
    4.8 /5.0
    355 Reviews

    Our team of industry professionals have been focused on providing long term, trusted relationships since 2009. O... 
  • Palmetto Energy
    Springfield, IL
    Established 2009
    Elite+ Installer
    Palmetto is leading the world into a clean energy future by making it easy for homeowners across the United State... 
    Elite+ Installer
    Screened & Verified
    4.6 /5.0
    407 Reviews

    Palmetto is leading the world into a clean energy future by making it easy for homeowners across the United State... 
  • SunSent Solar
    Decatur, IL
    Established 2016
    Elite Installer
    Switch to sunshine with SunSent Solar: - Guaranteed Production: We promise your system will produce what we pr... 
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    4.8 /5.0
    66 Reviews

    Switch to sunshine with SunSent Solar: - Guaranteed Production: We promise your system will produce what we pr... 
  • Freedom Solar Pros
    Peoria, IL
    Established 2011
    Approved Installer
    Our main focus is always on quality, both with equipment used and the installation performed. We offer the best w... 
    Approved Installer
    Screened & Verified
    4.5 /5.0
    11 Reviews

    Our main focus is always on quality, both with equipment used and the installation performed. We offer the best w... 
  • Rector Solar & Roofing
    Champaign, IL
    Established 2019
    Approved Installer
    Rector Solar & Roofing is a highly experienced, community-based team dedicated to delivering top-quality solar an... 
    Approved Installer
    Screened & Verified

    Rector Solar & Roofing is a highly experienced, community-based team dedicated to delivering top-quality solar an... 

Solar is a major purchase, but you can often get the price tag to come down by being an educated shopper. Taking advantage of incentives and shopping around for quotes can help lower your cost of solar in Saint Joseph, IL.

Search for incentives

While the federal tax credit is no longer available for most purchased systems, many states offer great local incentives and rebates that can further reduce your costs—so it's worth seeing what's available to you.

Get quotes from multiple installers

Comparing multiple solar quotes can save you money through competition and transparency. Each additional quote you receive for solar will help you find the right solar panel system at the right price.

This is where EnergySage can help. With funding from the Department of Energy’s SunShot Prize, EnergySage opened the country’s first (and now the largest) marketplace for home solar panel installations. We gather custom solar quotes from local installers on your behalf and put them in an easy-to-compare format. When you compare quotes for solar panels on the EnergySage Marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than if you work with a single solar company.

Solar panels aren't cheap. But neither is paying your utility company every month for the next 30 years. The difference? One of those bills eventually stops. The other one keeps climbing.

Getting solar quotes in doesn't cost you anything, but skipping this step could cost you thousands over your system's lifetime. Start comparing offers from Saint Joseph, IL installers today—your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.

Why shop with EnergySage?

Save time & money

Request free quotes from vetted installers in minutes

Unbiased support

Our expert Energy Advisors will help you make the right decision

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