Despite its relatively late start in the solar power industry, Illinois is still considered one of the top states in terms of solar energy generation. This is good news since it will soon become easier to install and operate solar panels.
If you’re considering the installation of solar panels on your home, be sure to read about the various benefits and costs of the technology.
Solar panels for sale in Illinois
Solar panels in Illinois are reliable and cost-efficient energy generators for your home, business, RV or a boat. They work as long as there is daylight, aren’t afraid of winds, hail, snow or rain, and last for over 25 years.
The average size of a home PV installation in the US is 5-6 kW. A system of this capacity covers 80-100% energy needs of a medium house. Its cost may vary from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the panels’ brand and incentives available. Since a solar system powers your appliances during the day, your energy bills reduce greatly. Overall, a PV installation brings in around $100 each month on average and thus pays for itself in 6-7 years.
Solar energy is a great solution for boondockers and sailors as well. Since panels work everywhere, don’t need fuel, don’t smell and are silent, they start to replace gas generators, which traditionally were used to charge house batteries. Sometimes even one panel is enough for everything you have on your boat or RV. Generally, panels go on a trailer roof, and when it comes to marine installation, modules are fixed on a stern rail, deck or canvas.
Aptos Solar 365W Solar Panel 120 cell DNA-120-MF26-365W
Specifications:
- Condition — New
- Backsheet color — black
- Cell number — 120 cell
- Connector Type — MC4
- DC/Charger Volt Compatible — 12v, 24, 48v
- Dimensions LxWxH — 69.1 X 40.9 X 1.37 in
- Frame color — black
- Manufacturer — Aptos Solar
- Model — DNA-120-MF26-365W
- Operating Temperature — 111 °F
- Rated Efficiencies — 20.01%
- Scope of application — Residential, Commercial, Boats and RV systems
- Use — Grid-Tie, Off-Grid
- Weight — 45.19 lbs
- Price per Watt — $0.8
- Rated Power Output — 365 W
- Voltage (VOC) — 40.7
- Cell Type — Monocrystalline
- Warranty — 25-year product warranty, 30-year output warranty
- Delivery Time — 5-7 business days across the US
REC 400W Solar Panel 132 cell REC400AA-PURE
Specifications:
- Condition — New
- Backsheet color — black
- Cell number — 132 cell
- Connector Type — MC4
- DC/Charger Volt Compatible — 12v, 24, 48v
- Dimensions LxWxH — 71.7 x 40 x 1.2 inches
- Frame color — black
- Manufacturer — REC
- Model — REC400AA-PURE
- Operating Temperatures — -40 °F to +185 °F
- Rated Efficiencies — 21.6%
- Scope of application — Residential, Commercial, Boats and RV systems
- Use — Grid-Tie, Off-Grid
- Weight — 45 lbs
- Price per Watt — $1.2
- Rated Power Output — 400 W
- Voltage (VOC) — 48.8
- Cell Type — Monocrystalline
- Warranty — 25-year product and performance warranty
- Delivery Time — 5-7 business days across the US
Panasonic 370W Solar Panel 120 cell EverVolt EVPV370
Specifications:
- Condition — New
- Backsheet color — white
- Cell number — 120 cell
- Connector Type — MC4
- DC/Charger Volt Compatible — 12v, 24, 48v
- Dimensions LxWxH — 67.8 x 40.0 x 1.2 inches
- Frame color — black
- Manufacturer — Panasonic Eco Solutions
- Model — EVPV370
- Operating Temperatures — -40 °F to +185 °F
- Rated Efficiencies — 21.2%
- Scope of application — Residential, Commercial, Boats and RV systems
- Use — Grid-Tie, Off-Grid
- Weight — 43 lbs
- Price per Watt — $1.2
- Rated Power Output — 370 W
- Voltage (VOC) — 44.1
- Cell Type — Monocrystalline
- Warranty — 25-year product and performance warranty
- Delivery Time — 5-7 business days across the US
Solar inverters for sale in Illinois
Inverter is another necessary component of a solar panel system. The panels by nature produce direct current which can’t be used by most house appliances. That’s why an inverter converts DC to AC and sends it either into the grid or to your appliances.
Another functions that inverter perform include:
- Interaction with the grid;
- Arc fault prevention and protection;
- Optimization of the solar array production;
- System monitoring.
Inverters can be grid-tied, off-grid or hybrid. While the names of the first two are self-explanatory, a hybrid inverter can be used both as a grid-tie or an off-grid one. In other words, you can pair it with a battery, and if a blackout happens, the inverter switches your house to battery support instead of shutting down.
Inverter is the most complicated part of a solar installation and it requires proper maintenance. For Illinois residents, it is recommended to put an inverter in a cold dry place out of direct sunlight — the garage is the best option. To prolong its lifespan, wipe the dust off of it, clean air intake filters and check the screen for errors.
OutBack Inverter 50A GS8048A-01
Specifications:
- Condition — New
- Input Voltage DC — 48
- Output Voltage AC — 120/240 VAC
- Solar panel compatibility — 60/120, 72/144 cell
- Type — Grid-tie, Hybrid
- Dimensions LxWxH — 28 x 16 x 8.7 inches
- Watts — 8000
- Manufacturer — OutBack Power Systems
- Model — GS8048A-01
- Operating Temperatures — -4 °F to +122 °F
- Rated Efficiencies — 96%
- Weight — 125 lbs
- Warranty — 5 years
- Delivery Time — 5-7 business days across the US
SMA Sunny Boy Inverter 5kw SB-5.0-1SP-US-41
Specifications:
- Condition — New
- Input Voltage DC — 480
- Output Voltage AC — 240
- Solar panel compatibility — 60/120, 72/144 cell
- Type — Grid-tie
- Dimensions LxWxH — 21.1 x 28.5 x 7.8 inches
- Watts — 5000
- Manufacturer — SMA America LLC
- Model — SB-5.0-1SP-US-41
- Operating Temperatures — -40 °F to +140 °F
- Rated Efficiencies — 97.6%
- Weight — 57 lbs
- Warranty — 10 years
- Delivery Time — 5-7 business days across the US
SolarEdge Inverter 5Kw SE5000H-US
Specifications:
- Condition — New
- Input Voltage DC — 480
- Output Voltage AC — 240
- Solar panel compatibility — 60/120, 72/144 cell
- Type — Grid-tie
- Dimensions LxWxH — 17.7 x 14.6 x 6.8 inches
- Watts — 5000
- Manufacturer — SolarEdge
- Model — SE5000H-US000BNU4
- Operating Temperatures — -13 °F to +140 °F
- Rated Efficiencies — 99%
- Weight — 25.6 lbs
- Warranty — 12 years, extendable to 25 years
- Delivery Time — 5-7 business days across the US
Should I buy or lease my solar panels?
When it comes to solar panels, there are two main options: buy or lease. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The biggest advantage of buying solar panels is that they provide the greatest savings. They also come with a federal tax credit, which doesn’t apply to those who lease or enter into a power purchase agreement.
Although buying solar panels is the best option for most consumers, leasing is also a great way to make solar power more accessible to everyone. It’s more affordable than buying, and it allows people to rent their homes instead of buying.
Another option for those who don’t want to buy or rent their homes is a community solar project. This type of program allows people to participate in a project that will produce solar power. Unlike with solar panels, participants don’t have to install them on their homes.
What rebates and incentives are there in Illinois for solar?
One of the most popular incentives for solar is the federal Investment Tax Credit. This tax credit allows homeowners to deduct 26 percent of the cost of their solar energy system. For instance, a solar energy system that costs $15,000 can be claimed for a tax deduction of $3,900.
The federal tax credit for residential solar energy systems is set to end in 2023, but it will remain in effect for commercial solar energy systems until 2022. This means that even after the credit is phased out, owners of commercial solar energy systems can still deduct 10 percent of their system’s cost from their taxes.
