How Much Can Solar Save in Athens?
Real numbers based on current Ameren Illinois rates and Illinois incentives.
$138
Current Bill/mo
$147
Est. Lease + Battery
6.3 yrs
Payback Period
$45,185
25-Year Savings
What You're Paying Now
Without solar, here's what Ameren Illinois electricity will cost you over time at 6% annual rate increases.
Monthly Bill
$138
Annual Cost
$1,656
25-Year Cost (No Solar)
$90,856
Your Solar Investment
6.5 kW System
$18,850
$10,394
After All IL Incentives
DG Rebate ($300/kW)-$1,950
Illinois Shines RECs (lump sum, ~18 mo)-$6,506
With vs Without Solar in Athens
| Metric | Without Solar | With Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $138/mo | $114/mo (loan) |
| Monthly Cash Flow | -$0 (all to utility) | +$5/mo |
| 5-Year Cost | $8,942 | $6,840 |
| 25-Year Cost | $90,856 | $45,671 |
| Rate Control | None — utility sets rates | Fixed at $0.10/kWh (avg.) for 15 years |
| Home Value Impact | None | +$15,000–$25,000 (tax-exempt) |
Your Solar Savings Over Time
Estimated 25-Year Total Savings
$45,185
Without Solar
With Solar
Year 1Payback Year
$1,656
$1,594
Year 5
$9,335
$1,692
Year 10
$21,827
$10,611
Year 15
$38,545
$20,577
Year 20
$60,917
$32,047
Year 25
$90,856
$45,670
| Year | Without Solar | With Solar | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1Payback | $1,656 | $1,594 | $62 |
| Year 2 | $3,411 | -$3,297 | $6,708 |
| Year 3 | $5,272 | -$1,659 | $6,931 |
| Year 4 | $7,244 | $3 | $7,241 |
| Year 5 | $9,335 | $1,692 | $7,643 |
| Year 6 | $11,551 | $3,409 | $8,142 |
| Year 7 | $13,900 | $5,157 | $8,743 |
| Year 8 | $16,390 | $6,939 | $9,452 |
| Year 9 | $19,030 | $8,756 | $10,274 |
| Year 10 | $21,827 | $10,611 | $11,216 |
| Year 11 | $24,793 | $12,508 | $12,285 |
| Year 12 | $27,937 | $14,450 | $13,487 |
| Year 13 | $31,269 | $16,439 | $14,830 |
| Year 14 | $34,801 | $18,480 | $16,321 |
| Year 15 | $38,545 | $20,577 | $17,968 |
| Year 16 | $42,514 | $22,733 | $19,781 |
| Year 17 | $46,721 | $24,953 | $21,767 |
| Year 18 | $51,180 | $27,242 | $23,938 |
| Year 19 | $55,907 | $29,605 | $26,301 |
| Year 20 | $60,917 | $32,047 | $28,869 |
| Year 21 | $66,228 | $34,575 | $31,653 |
| Year 22 | $71,858 | $37,194 | $34,663 |
| Year 23 | $77,825 | $39,912 | $37,913 |
| Year 24 | $84,151 | $42,734 | $41,416 |
| Year 25 | $90,856 | $45,670 | $45,185 |
Start Saving in Athens
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Ameren Illinois rates projected to rise again next year. Lock in savings now.