How Much Can Solar Save in Golden?
Real numbers based on current Ameren Illinois rates and Illinois incentives.
$124
Current Bill/mo
$140
Est. Lease + Battery
6.3 yrs
Payback Period
$40,787
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
$124
Annual Cost
$1,488
25-Year Cost (No Solar)
$81,638
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 Golden
| Metric | Without Solar | With Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $124/mo | $105/mo (loan) |
| Monthly Cash Flow | -$0 (all to utility) | +$3/mo |
| 5-Year Cost | $8,035 | $6,300 |
| 25-Year Cost | $81,638 | $40,851 |
| 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
$40,787
Without Solar
With Solar
Year 1Payback Year
$1,488
$1,449
Year 5
$8,388
$1,434
Year 10
$19,613
$9,493
Year 15
$34,635
$18,454
Year 20
$54,737
$28,718
Year 25
$81,638
$40,851
| Year | Without Solar | With Solar | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1Payback | $1,488 | $1,449 | $39 |
| Year 2 | $3,065 | -$3,089 | $6,155 |
| Year 3 | $4,737 | -$1,603 | $6,340 |
| Year 4 | $6,509 | -$96 | $6,605 |
| Year 5 | $8,388 | $1,434 | $6,954 |
| Year 6 | $10,379 | $2,989 | $7,391 |
| Year 7 | $12,490 | $4,570 | $7,920 |
| Year 8 | $14,727 | $6,179 | $8,548 |
| Year 9 | $17,099 | $7,819 | $9,280 |
| Year 10 | $19,613 | $9,493 | $10,120 |
| Year 11 | $22,278 | $11,202 | $11,076 |
| Year 12 | $25,102 | $12,949 | $12,153 |
| Year 13 | $28,097 | $14,738 | $13,358 |
| Year 14 | $31,270 | $16,572 | $14,698 |
| Year 15 | $34,635 | $18,454 | $16,181 |
| Year 16 | $38,201 | $20,387 | $17,814 |
| Year 17 | $41,981 | $22,375 | $19,605 |
| Year 18 | $45,988 | $24,424 | $21,564 |
| Year 19 | $50,235 | $26,536 | $23,699 |
| Year 20 | $54,737 | $28,718 | $26,019 |
| Year 21 | $59,509 | $30,973 | $28,536 |
| Year 22 | $64,568 | $33,308 | $31,260 |
| Year 23 | $69,930 | $35,729 | $34,201 |
| Year 24 | $75,614 | $38,241 | $37,373 |
| Year 25 | $81,638 | $40,851 | $40,787 |
Start Saving in Golden
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Ameren Illinois rates projected to rise again next year. Lock in savings now.