How Much Can Solar Save in Smithboro?
Real numbers based on current Ameren Illinois rates and Illinois incentives.
$122
Current Bill/mo
$138
Est. Lease + Battery
7 yrs
Payback Period
$36,792
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
$122
Annual Cost
$1,464
25-Year Cost (No Solar)
$80,322
Your Solar Investment
6.5 kW System
$18,850
$10,394
After All IL Incentives
DG Rebate ($300/kW)-$1,950
Illinois Shines RECs (lump sum, ~18 mo)-$6,506
With vs Without Solar in Smithboro
| Metric | Without Solar | With Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $122/mo | $114/mo (loan) |
| Monthly Cash Flow | -$0 (all to utility) | $-9/mo |
| 5-Year Cost | $7,906 | $6,840 |
| 25-Year Cost | $80,322 | $43,530 |
| 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
$36,792
Without Solar
With Solar
Year 1
$1,464
$1,567
Year 2Payback Year
$3,016
-$3,354
Year 5
$8,253
$1,529
Year 10
$19,297
$10,199
Year 15
$34,076
$19,792
Year 20
$53,854
$30,712
Year 25
$80,322
$43,530
| Year | Without Solar | With Solar | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $1,464 | $1,567 | -$103 |
| Year 2Payback | $3,016 | -$3,354 | $6,370 |
| Year 3 | $4,661 | -$1,749 | $6,409 |
| Year 4 | $6,404 | -$122 | $6,526 |
| Year 5 | $8,253 | $1,529 | $6,724 |
| Year 6 | $10,212 | $3,204 | $7,008 |
| Year 7 | $12,289 | $4,907 | $7,382 |
| Year 8 | $14,490 | $6,639 | $7,851 |
| Year 9 | $16,823 | $8,402 | $8,421 |
| Year 10 | $19,297 | $10,199 | $9,098 |
| Year 11 | $21,918 | $12,033 | $9,886 |
| Year 12 | $24,698 | $13,906 | $10,792 |
| Year 13 | $27,643 | $15,821 | $11,822 |
| Year 14 | $30,766 | $17,782 | $12,984 |
| Year 15 | $34,076 | $19,792 | $14,284 |
| Year 16 | $37,585 | $21,854 | $15,731 |
| Year 17 | $41,304 | $23,973 | $17,331 |
| Year 18 | $45,246 | $26,152 | $19,093 |
| Year 19 | $49,425 | $28,397 | $21,028 |
| Year 20 | $53,854 | $30,712 | $23,142 |
| Year 21 | $58,549 | $33,102 | $25,448 |
| Year 22 | $63,526 | $35,572 | $27,954 |
| Year 23 | $68,802 | $38,130 | $30,672 |
| Year 24 | $74,394 | $40,780 | $33,614 |
| Year 25 | $80,322 | $43,530 | $36,792 |
Start Saving in Smithboro
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