How Much Can Solar Save in Central City?
Real numbers based on current Ameren Illinois rates and Illinois incentives.
$106
Current Bill/mo
$126
Est. Lease + Battery
6 yrs
Payback Period
$33,841
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
$106
Annual Cost
$1,272
25-Year Cost (No Solar)
$69,788
Your Solar Investment
4.5 kW System
$13,050
$7,196
After All IL Incentives
DG Rebate ($300/kW)-$1,350
Illinois Shines RECs (lump sum, ~18 mo)-$4,504
With vs Without Solar in Central City
| Metric | Without Solar | With Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $106/mo | $79/mo (loan) |
| Monthly Cash Flow | -$0 (all to utility) | +$8/mo |
| 5-Year Cost | $6,869 | $4,740 |
| 25-Year Cost | $69,788 | $35,947 |
| 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
$33,841
Without Solar
With Solar
Year 1Payback Year
$1,272
$1,179
Year 5
$7,170
$1,599
Year 10
$16,766
$8,355
Year 15
$29,607
$16,045
Year 20
$46,791
$25,059
Year 25
$69,788
$35,947
| Year | Without Solar | With Solar | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1Payback | $1,272 | $1,179 | $93 |
| Year 2 | $2,620 | -$2,127 | $4,747 |
| Year 3 | $4,050 | -$908 | $4,958 |
| Year 4 | $5,565 | $333 | $5,231 |
| Year 5 | $7,170 | $1,599 | $5,571 |
| Year 6 | $8,873 | $2,890 | $5,982 |
| Year 7 | $10,677 | $4,210 | $6,467 |
| Year 8 | $12,590 | $5,559 | $7,031 |
| Year 9 | $14,617 | $6,940 | $7,677 |
| Year 10 | $16,766 | $8,355 | $8,411 |
| Year 11 | $19,044 | $9,808 | $9,236 |
| Year 12 | $21,459 | $11,300 | $10,159 |
| Year 13 | $24,018 | $12,835 | $11,183 |
| Year 14 | $26,731 | $14,415 | $12,316 |
| Year 15 | $29,607 | $16,045 | $13,562 |
| Year 16 | $32,655 | $17,726 | $14,929 |
| Year 17 | $35,887 | $19,465 | $16,422 |
| Year 18 | $39,312 | $21,263 | $18,049 |
| Year 19 | $42,943 | $23,127 | $19,816 |
| Year 20 | $46,791 | $25,059 | $21,732 |
| Year 21 | $50,871 | $27,066 | $23,805 |
| Year 22 | $55,195 | $29,152 | $26,043 |
| Year 23 | $59,779 | $31,324 | $28,455 |
| Year 24 | $64,637 | $33,587 | $31,051 |
| Year 25 | $69,788 | $35,947 | $33,841 |
Start Saving in Central City
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Ameren Illinois rates projected to rise again next year. Lock in savings now.