How Much Can Solar Save in Urbana?
Real numbers based on current Ameren Illinois rates and Illinois incentives.
$142
Current Bill/mo
$149
Est. Lease + Battery
6.6 yrs
Payback Period
$44,546
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
$142
Annual Cost
$1,704
25-Year Cost (No Solar)
$93,489
Your Solar Investment
7 kW System
$20,300
$11,194
After All IL Incentives
DG Rebate ($300/kW)-$2,100
Illinois Shines RECs (lump sum, ~18 mo)-$7,006
With vs Without Solar in Urbana
| Metric | Without Solar | With Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $142/mo | $123/mo (loan) |
| Monthly Cash Flow | -$0 (all to utility) | $-1/mo |
| 5-Year Cost | $9,202 | $7,380 |
| 25-Year Cost | $93,489 | $48,943 |
| 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
$44,546
Without Solar
With Solar
Year 1
$1,704
$1,718
Year 2Payback Year
$3,510
-$3,548
Year 5
$9,606
$1,826
Year 10
$22,460
$11,420
Year 15
$39,662
$22,118
Year 20
$62,683
$34,401
Year 25
$93,489
$48,943
| Year | Without Solar | With Solar | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $1,704 | $1,718 | -$14 |
| Year 2Payback | $3,510 | -$3,548 | $7,058 |
| Year 3 | $5,425 | -$1,783 | $7,208 |
| Year 4 | $7,454 | $7 | $7,447 |
| Year 5 | $9,606 | $1,826 | $7,780 |
| Year 6 | $11,886 | $3,674 | $8,212 |
| Year 7 | $14,303 | $5,555 | $8,748 |
| Year 8 | $16,865 | $7,472 | $9,394 |
| Year 9 | $19,581 | $9,426 | $10,156 |
| Year 10 | $22,460 | $11,420 | $11,040 |
| Year 11 | $25,512 | $13,458 | $12,053 |
| Year 12 | $28,746 | $15,544 | $13,203 |
| Year 13 | $32,175 | $17,680 | $14,496 |
| Year 14 | $35,810 | $19,870 | $15,940 |
| Year 15 | $39,662 | $22,118 | $17,544 |
| Year 16 | $43,746 | $24,430 | $19,316 |
| Year 17 | $48,075 | $26,808 | $21,266 |
| Year 18 | $52,663 | $29,260 | $23,404 |
| Year 19 | $57,527 | $31,788 | $25,739 |
| Year 20 | $62,683 | $34,401 | $28,282 |
| Year 21 | $68,148 | $37,103 | $31,045 |
| Year 22 | $73,940 | $39,901 | $34,040 |
| Year 23 | $80,081 | $42,802 | $37,279 |
| Year 24 | $86,590 | $45,813 | $40,776 |
| Year 25 | $93,489 | $48,943 | $44,546 |
Start Saving in Urbana
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Ameren Illinois rates projected to rise again next year. Lock in savings now.