Fueling the Forest City with Clean Power

The state of solar in Rockford

With an average of 188 sunny days per year combined with incentives aimed at reaching the state’s goal of relying on 25% clean energy by 2025,^*Best Places, Climate in Rockford, IL, May 2021. converting your home or business to solar power has never been easier in Rockford. An estimated 78% of the rooftops in the city are solar viable,^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018) and home and business owners are making the switch at record rates.

How much solar energy does Rockford produce?

Rockford is the future home of one of the largest airport solar farms in the nation and one of the largest solar arrays in Illinois. The Rockford Solar Project completed phase I in 2012, with 3.06 MW of solar energy—enough to power nearly 500 homes annually—and is anticipated to expand to 62 MW in the future.^*Rockford Register Star. Rockford solar farm to go online by month’s end. September, 2012.

The area also features 647 small solar installations and 60 large-scale operations that produce a total of 22.904 MW.

What are the advantages of going solar in Rockford?

It pays to convert your home to solar energy in Rockford! Energy usage levels in Illinois are higher than most U.S. states due to the harsh winters and hot summers. Solar power offers a viable way to cut electricity bill costs while adding an estimated $20 in value to your home for every $1 you save on utilities—and don’t worry, that added value is property-tax exempt.

Typical solar installation costs in Illinois are falling as well, having decreased 45% in the last five years.^*Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Illinois Solar. Q4 2020. As a result, many homeowners save more than $20,000 over 20 years by going solar and recoup their upfront costs in less than eight years.^*EnergySage, Solar Panels in Rockford, IL, May 2021.

How much does solar cost in Rockford?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same city, due to a range of factors. These include:

• Quality of the solar panels

• Roof space

• Weather

• Pitch of the roof

• The home’s energy needs

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered from third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020 In Rockford, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,150 to $23,150, or in other words, from $2.63 to $4.63 per watt. And that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

You may be able to take advantage of the 26% Federal Solar Tax Credit as well as Illinois’ net metering policy.^*The availability of net metering varies by location and tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information. Net metering allows you to earn credit for any excess electricity your system produces that can be used to offset usage during times of low production.

Additionally, commercial and industrial property owners can earn up to $250 per kilowatt of energy produced through a solar system, thanks to Commonwealth Edison, one of the largest utility companies in the state.^*Commonwealth Edison Company. Distributed Generation Rebates. May 2021.

What’s the best way to go solar in Rockford?

Converting your home or office to solar energy requires careful thought and planning. Before getting started, remember that not all solar systems are created equal. The quality, durability, and appearance of your panels will vary depending on the solar provider you choose.

The size of your solar system and the number of panels required will vary as well, based on your budget, energy needs, and viable roof space. If you want to generate surplus power to store or transfer to your utility provider for credit, you may choose a larger system that covers all viable space with high-efficiency panels. However, if you have a limited budget or want to preserve the look of your home, high-efficiency panels can help maximize energy production with fewer panels.

Your solar installer should offer you a custom solar design, price and savings quote, and overview of any incentives available to you.

Get started now by requesting a free consultation. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time, or you can also call us directly at 1-385-489-5552.