How Much Can Solar Save in Sterling?

Real numbers based on current ComEd rates and Illinois incentives.

$128

Current Bill/mo

$133

Est. Lease + Battery

26+ yrs

Years of Pure Profit

$46,300

25-Year Savings

What You're Paying Now

Without solar, here's what ComEd electricity will cost you over time at 6% annual rate increases.

Monthly Bill

$128

Annual Cost

$1,536

25-Year Cost (No Solar)

$84,272

Your Solar Investment

5.5 kW System

$15,125

$6,081

After All IL Incentives

DG Rebate ($300/kW)-$1,650

Illinois Shines RECs (lump sum, ~18 mo)-$7,394

With vs Without Solar in Sterling

Metric	Without Solar	With Solar
Monthly Cost	$128/mo	$91/mo (loan)
Monthly Cash Flow	-$0 (all to utility)	+$17/mo
5-Year Cost	$8,294	$5,460
25-Year Cost	$84,272	$37,972
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

$46,300

Without Solar

With Solar

Year 1Profit Starts Here

$1,536

$1,328

Year 5

$8,659

-$525

Year 10

$20,246

$7,060

Year 15

$35,752

$15,678

Year 20

$56,503

$25,774

Year 25

$84,272

$37,972

Year	Without Solar	With Solar	Cumulative Savings
Year 1Profit Starts	$1,536	$1,328	$208
Year 2	$3,164	-$4,717	$7,881
Year 3	$4,890	-$3,345	$8,235
Year 4	$6,719	-$1,948	$8,668
Year 5	$8,659	-$525	$9,184
Year 6	$10,714	$926	$9,788
Year 7	$12,893	$2,408	$10,485
Year 8	$15,203	$3,922	$11,280
Year 9	$17,651	$5,472	$12,178
Year 10	$20,246	$7,060	$13,185
Year 11	$22,996	$8,689	$14,307
Year 12	$25,912	$10,362	$15,550
Year 13	$29,003	$12,082	$16,921
Year 14	$32,279	$13,853	$18,426
Year 15	$35,752	$15,678	$20,074
Year 16	$39,433	$17,562	$21,871
Year 17	$43,335	$19,509	$23,826
Year 18	$47,471	$21,523	$25,948
Year 19	$51,855	$23,610	$28,246
Year 20	$56,503	$25,774	$30,729
Year 21	$61,429	$28,021	$33,407
Year 22	$66,651	$30,358	$36,292
Year 23	$72,186	$32,791	$39,395
Year 24	$78,053	$35,326	$42,727
Year 25	$84,272	$37,972	$46,300

Calculate YOUR Savings

Enter your actual ComEd bill to see a personalized 25-year savings projection.

$Enter Your Information

Average Monthly Electric Bill

Current Utility Rate ($/kWh)

Default: $0.16/kWh (ComEd & Ameren average)

Utility Rate Escalator: 4.5% per year

Conservative (2%)Historical Average (6%)Aggressive (10%)

How We Calculate Your Savings

This calculator uses your custom utility rate (default $0.16/kWh for Illinois) with a 4.5% annual escalator compared to our fixed lease rate of $0.10/kWh (avg.) for 15 years. A low-escalator option is also available for a lower starting payment. After the 15-year lease, you can keep the system for a low fair-market buyout — then your electricity cost drops to near-zero for the remaining life of the panels (25+ years). Your actual savings may vary based on your specific usage patterns and system size.

More Solar Resources for Sterling

Solar IncentivesRECs, rebates & tax exemptions Electricity RatesRate trends & bill analysis Solar FAQCommon questions answered

Start Saving in Sterling

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Or call (618) 217-2001|Info@ltdsolarconsulting.com