How Much Can Solar Save in Lerna?
Real numbers based on current Ameren Illinois rates and Illinois incentives.
$115
Current Bill/mo
$132
Est. Lease + Battery
6 yrs
Payback Period
$37,606
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
$115
Annual Cost
$1,380
25-Year Cost (No Solar)
$75,713
Your Solar Investment
5 kW System
$14,500
$7,995
After All IL Incentives
DG Rebate ($300/kW)-$1,500
Illinois Shines RECs (lump sum, ~18 mo)-$5,005
With vs Without Solar in Lerna
| Metric | Without Solar | With Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $115/mo | $88/mo (loan) |
| Monthly Cash Flow | -$0 (all to utility) | +$9/mo |
| 5-Year Cost | $7,452 | $5,280 |
| 25-Year Cost | $75,713 | $38,107 |
| 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
$37,606
Without Solar
With Solar
Year 1Payback Year
$1,380
$1,276
Year 5
$7,779
$1,588
Year 10
$18,189
$8,842
Year 15
$32,121
$17,049
Year 20
$50,764
$26,613
Year 25
$75,713
$38,107
| Year | Without Solar | With Solar | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1Payback | $1,380 | $1,276 | $104 |
| Year 2 | $2,843 | -$2,433 | $5,276 |
| Year 3 | $4,393 | -$1,116 | $5,509 |
| Year 4 | $6,037 | $224 | $5,813 |
| Year 5 | $7,779 | $1,588 | $6,192 |
| Year 6 | $9,626 | $2,978 | $6,648 |
| Year 7 | $11,583 | $4,396 | $7,187 |
| Year 8 | $13,659 | $5,845 | $7,814 |
| Year 9 | $15,858 | $7,326 | $8,532 |
| Year 10 | $18,189 | $8,842 | $9,347 |
| Year 11 | $20,661 | $10,396 | $10,264 |
| Year 12 | $23,281 | $11,991 | $11,289 |
| Year 13 | $26,057 | $13,629 | $12,428 |
| Year 14 | $29,001 | $15,314 | $13,687 |
| Year 15 | $32,121 | $17,049 | $15,072 |
| Year 16 | $35,428 | $18,837 | $16,591 |
| Year 17 | $38,934 | $20,684 | $18,250 |
| Year 18 | $42,650 | $22,592 | $20,058 |
| Year 19 | $46,589 | $24,567 | $22,022 |
| Year 20 | $50,764 | $26,613 | $24,151 |
| Year 21 | $55,190 | $28,736 | $26,454 |
| Year 22 | $59,881 | $30,940 | $28,941 |
| Year 23 | $64,854 | $33,233 | $31,621 |
| Year 24 | $70,125 | $35,619 | $34,506 |
| Year 25 | $75,713 | $38,107 | $37,606 |
Start Saving in Lerna
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Ameren Illinois rates projected to rise again next year. Lock in savings now.