How Much Can Solar Save in Cambridge?
Real numbers based on current Ameren Illinois rates and Illinois incentives.
$126
Current Bill/mo
$142
Est. Lease + Battery
6.2 yrs
Payback Period
$42,164
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
$126
Annual Cost
$1,512
25-Year Cost (No Solar)
$82,955
Your Solar Investment
6 kW System
$17,400
$9,595
After All IL Incentives
DG Rebate ($300/kW)-$1,800
Illinois Shines RECs (lump sum, ~18 mo)-$6,005
With vs Without Solar in Cambridge
| Metric | Without Solar | With Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $126/mo | $105/mo (loan) |
| Monthly Cash Flow | -$0 (all to utility) | +$6/mo |
| 5-Year Cost | $8,165 | $6,300 |
| 25-Year Cost | $82,955 | $40,791 |
| 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
$42,164
Without Solar
With Solar
Year 1Payback Year
$1,512
$1,446
Year 5
$8,523
$1,419
Year 10
$19,929
$9,462
Year 15
$35,193
$18,408
Year 20
$55,620
$28,661
Year 25
$82,955
$40,791
| Year | Without Solar | With Solar | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1Payback | $1,512 | $1,446 | $66 |
| Year 2 | $3,115 | -$3,095 | $6,210 |
| Year 3 | $4,814 | -$1,612 | $6,426 |
| Year 4 | $6,614 | -$108 | $6,723 |
| Year 5 | $8,523 | $1,419 | $7,105 |
| Year 6 | $10,547 | $2,970 | $7,577 |
| Year 7 | $12,691 | $4,548 | $8,144 |
| Year 8 | $14,965 | $6,154 | $8,811 |
| Year 9 | $17,375 | $7,791 | $9,584 |
| Year 10 | $19,929 | $9,462 | $10,468 |
| Year 11 | $22,637 | $11,168 | $11,469 |
| Year 12 | $25,507 | $12,912 | $12,595 |
| Year 13 | $28,550 | $14,698 | $13,851 |
| Year 14 | $31,775 | $16,529 | $15,246 |
| Year 15 | $35,193 | $18,408 | $16,785 |
| Year 16 | $38,817 | $20,339 | $18,478 |
| Year 17 | $42,658 | $22,325 | $20,333 |
| Year 18 | $46,729 | $24,371 | $22,358 |
| Year 19 | $51,045 | $26,481 | $24,564 |
| Year 20 | $55,620 | $28,661 | $26,959 |
| Year 21 | $60,469 | $30,915 | $29,554 |
| Year 22 | $65,609 | $33,249 | $32,360 |
| Year 23 | $71,058 | $35,669 | $35,389 |
| Year 24 | $76,833 | $38,180 | $38,653 |
| Year 25 | $82,955 | $40,791 | $42,164 |
Start Saving in Cambridge
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Ameren Illinois rates projected to rise again next year. Lock in savings now.