How Much Can Solar Save in Energy?
Real numbers based on current Ameren Illinois rates and Illinois incentives.
$130
Current Bill/mo
$139
Est. Lease + Battery
6.4 yrs
Payback Period
$39,867
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
$130
Annual Cost
$1,560
25-Year Cost (No Solar)
$85,589
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 Energy
| Metric | Without Solar | With Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $130/mo | $105/mo (loan) |
| Monthly Cash Flow | -$0 (all to utility) | +$2/mo |
| 5-Year Cost | $8,424 | $6,300 |
| 25-Year Cost | $85,589 | $45,722 |
| 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
$39,867
Without Solar
With Solar
Year 1Payback Year
$1,560
$1,539
Year 5
$8,794
$1,941
Year 10
$20,562
$10,674
Year 15
$36,311
$20,534
Year 20
$57,386
$31,994
Year 25
$85,589
$45,722
| Year | Without Solar | With Solar | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1Payback | $1,560 | $1,539 | $21 |
| Year 2 | $3,214 | -$2,904 | $6,117 |
| Year 3 | $4,966 | -$1,317 | $6,283 |
| Year 4 | $6,824 | $298 | $6,527 |
| Year 5 | $8,794 | $1,941 | $6,853 |
| Year 6 | $10,881 | $3,615 | $7,266 |
| Year 7 | $13,094 | $5,323 | $7,771 |
| Year 8 | $15,440 | $7,067 | $8,373 |
| Year 9 | $17,926 | $8,850 | $9,077 |
| Year 10 | $20,562 | $10,674 | $9,888 |
| Year 11 | $23,356 | $12,543 | $10,813 |
| Year 12 | $26,317 | $14,460 | $11,857 |
| Year 13 | $29,456 | $16,428 | $13,028 |
| Year 14 | $32,784 | $18,451 | $14,332 |
| Year 15 | $36,311 | $20,534 | $15,777 |
| Year 16 | $40,049 | $22,679 | $17,370 |
| Year 17 | $44,012 | $24,893 | $19,119 |
| Year 18 | $48,213 | $27,180 | $21,033 |
| Year 19 | $52,666 | $29,545 | $23,120 |
| Year 20 | $57,386 | $31,994 | $25,391 |
| Year 21 | $62,389 | $34,533 | $27,855 |
| Year 22 | $67,692 | $37,168 | $30,524 |
| Year 23 | $73,313 | $39,906 | $33,407 |
| Year 24 | $79,272 | $42,755 | $36,517 |
| Year 25 | $85,589 | $45,722 | $39,867 |
Start Saving in Energy
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Ameren Illinois rates projected to rise again next year. Lock in savings now.