How Much Can Solar Save in Downs?
Real numbers based on current Ameren Illinois rates and Illinois incentives.
$160
Current Bill/mo
$155
Est. Lease + Battery
7.2 yrs
Payback Period
$44,924
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
$160
Annual Cost
$1,920
25-Year Cost (No Solar)
$105,340
Your Solar Investment
8.5 kW System
$24,650
$13,592
After All IL Incentives
DG Rebate ($300/kW)-$2,550
Illinois Shines RECs (lump sum, ~18 mo)-$8,508
With vs Without Solar in Downs
| Metric | Without Solar | With Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $160/mo | $149/mo (loan) |
| Monthly Cash Flow | -$0 (all to utility) | $-16/mo |
| 5-Year Cost | $10,368 | $8,940 |
| 25-Year Cost | $105,340 | $60,416 |
| 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
$44,924
Without Solar
With Solar
Year 1
$1,920
$2,117
Year 2Payback Year
$3,955
-$4,246
Year 5
$10,823
$2,379
Year 10
$25,307
$14,215
Year 15
$44,690
$27,410
Year 20
$70,628
$42,541
Year 25
$105,340
$60,416
| Year | Without Solar | With Solar | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $1,920 | $2,117 | -$197 |
| Year 2Payback | $3,955 | -$4,246 | $8,201 |
| Year 3 | $6,113 | -$2,071 | $8,183 |
| Year 4 | $8,399 | $137 | $8,263 |
| Year 5 | $10,823 | $2,379 | $8,444 |
| Year 6 | $13,393 | $4,659 | $8,733 |
| Year 7 | $16,116 | $6,980 | $9,136 |
| Year 8 | $19,003 | $9,344 | $9,660 |
| Year 9 | $22,063 | $11,754 | $10,309 |
| Year 10 | $25,307 | $14,215 | $11,092 |
| Year 11 | $28,746 | $16,729 | $12,016 |
| Year 12 | $32,390 | $19,302 | $13,089 |
| Year 13 | $36,254 | $21,936 | $14,318 |
| Year 14 | $40,349 | $24,637 | $15,712 |
| Year 15 | $44,690 | $27,410 | $17,280 |
| Year 16 | $49,291 | $30,259 | $19,032 |
| Year 17 | $54,169 | $33,191 | $20,978 |
| Year 18 | $59,339 | $36,210 | $23,128 |
| Year 19 | $64,819 | $39,325 | $25,494 |
| Year 20 | $70,628 | $42,541 | $28,088 |
| Year 21 | $76,786 | $45,865 | $30,921 |
| Year 22 | $83,313 | $49,307 | $34,007 |
| Year 23 | $90,232 | $52,873 | $37,359 |
| Year 24 | $97,566 | $56,573 | $40,993 |
| Year 25 | $105,340 | $60,416 | $44,924 |
Start Saving in Downs
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Ameren Illinois rates projected to rise again next year. Lock in savings now.