How Much Can Solar Save in Columbia?
Real numbers based on current Ameren Illinois rates and Illinois incentives.
$171
Current Bill/mo
$162
Est. Lease + Battery
6.1 yrs
Payback Period
$55,468
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
$171
Annual Cost
$2,052
25-Year Cost (No Solar)
$112,582
Your Solar Investment
7.5 kW System
$21,750
$11,993
After All IL Incentives
DG Rebate ($300/kW)-$2,250
Illinois Shines RECs (lump sum, ~18 mo)-$7,507
With vs Without Solar in Columbia
| Metric | Without Solar | With Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $171/mo | $132/mo (loan) |
| Monthly Cash Flow | -$0 (all to utility) | +$11/mo |
| 5-Year Cost | $11,081 | $7,920 |
| 25-Year Cost | $112,582 | $57,114 |
| 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
$55,468
Without Solar
With Solar
Year 1Payback Year
$2,052
$1,915
Year 5
$11,567
$2,383
Year 10
$27,047
$13,264
Year 15
$47,762
$25,567
Year 20
$75,484
$39,900
Year 25
$112,582
$57,113
| Year | Without Solar | With Solar | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1Payback | $2,052 | $1,915 | $137 |
| Year 2 | $4,227 | -$3,648 | $7,875 |
| Year 3 | $6,533 | -$1,672 | $8,205 |
| Year 4 | $8,977 | $337 | $8,639 |
| Year 5 | $11,567 | $2,383 | $9,184 |
| Year 6 | $14,313 | $4,469 | $9,845 |
| Year 7 | $17,224 | $6,596 | $10,628 |
| Year 8 | $20,310 | $8,769 | $11,541 |
| Year 9 | $23,580 | $10,990 | $12,590 |
| Year 10 | $27,047 | $13,264 | $13,783 |
| Year 11 | $30,722 | $15,595 | $15,127 |
| Year 12 | $34,617 | $17,985 | $16,632 |
| Year 13 | $38,746 | $20,441 | $18,305 |
| Year 14 | $43,123 | $22,967 | $20,156 |
| Year 15 | $47,762 | $25,567 | $22,195 |
| Year 16 | $52,680 | $28,248 | $24,432 |
| Year 17 | $57,893 | $31,016 | $26,877 |
| Year 18 | $63,418 | $33,875 | $29,543 |
| Year 19 | $69,276 | $36,834 | $32,441 |
| Year 20 | $75,484 | $39,900 | $35,584 |
| Year 21 | $82,065 | $43,080 | $38,985 |
| Year 22 | $89,041 | $46,382 | $42,659 |
| Year 23 | $96,435 | $49,815 | $46,620 |
| Year 24 | $104,274 | $53,389 | $50,885 |
| Year 25 | $112,582 | $57,113 | $55,468 |
Start Saving in Columbia
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