How Much Can Solar Save in Charleston?
Real numbers based on current Ameren Illinois rates and Illinois incentives.
$128
Current Bill/mo
$143
Est. Lease + Battery
6.1 yrs
Payback Period
$43,426
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
$128
Annual Cost
$1,536
25-Year Cost (No Solar)
$84,272
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 Charleston
| Metric | Without Solar | With Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $128/mo | $105/mo (loan) |
| Monthly Cash Flow | -$0 (all to utility) | +$8/mo |
| 5-Year Cost | $8,294 | $6,300 |
| 25-Year Cost | $84,272 | $40,846 |
| 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
$43,426
Without Solar
With Solar
Year 1Payback Year
$1,536
$1,445
Year 5
$8,659
$1,416
Year 10
$20,246
$9,459
Year 15
$35,752
$18,413
Year 20
$56,503
$28,683
Year 25
$84,272
$40,846
| Year | Without Solar | With Solar | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1Payback | $1,536 | $1,445 | $91 |
| Year 2 | $3,164 | -$3,097 | $6,261 |
| Year 3 | $4,890 | -$1,614 | $6,504 |
| Year 4 | $6,719 | -$111 | $6,830 |
| Year 5 | $8,659 | $1,416 | $7,243 |
| Year 6 | $10,714 | $2,967 | $7,747 |
| Year 7 | $12,893 | $4,545 | $8,348 |
| Year 8 | $15,203 | $6,151 | $9,051 |
| Year 9 | $17,651 | $7,789 | $9,862 |
| Year 10 | $20,246 | $9,459 | $10,786 |
| Year 11 | $22,996 | $11,166 | $11,830 |
| Year 12 | $25,912 | $12,912 | $13,000 |
| Year 13 | $29,003 | $14,699 | $14,304 |
| Year 14 | $32,279 | $16,532 | $15,747 |
| Year 15 | $35,752 | $18,413 | $17,339 |
| Year 16 | $39,433 | $20,346 | $19,087 |
| Year 17 | $43,335 | $22,335 | $21,000 |
| Year 18 | $47,471 | $24,384 | $23,087 |
| Year 19 | $51,855 | $26,499 | $25,357 |
| Year 20 | $56,503 | $28,683 | $27,820 |
| Year 21 | $61,429 | $30,942 | $30,487 |
| Year 22 | $66,651 | $33,282 | $33,369 |
| Year 23 | $72,186 | $35,708 | $36,478 |
| Year 24 | $78,053 | $38,227 | $39,826 |
| Year 25 | $84,272 | $40,846 | $43,426 |
Start Saving in Charleston
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