Do Solar Panels Work Well In Illinois in 2023?
If you’re an Illinois resident, and you’re thinking of transitioning to solar, you may be wondering “Do Solar Panels Work Well In Illinois in 2023?”. The answer to that question doesn’t take a whole blog article to spell out:
Yes! Solar panels work great in Illinois!
However, if you’ve clicked onto this post, you’re probably not looking for a simple “yes or no” answer. Therefore, in this article we’ll:
- Outline the reasons why solar panels work well in Illinois
- Take a look at which type of solar panel is best in Illinois,
- Tell you the easiest way to get solar panels
Reasons Why Solar Panels Work Well In Illinois
There are many reasons why so many homes throughout Illinois are choosing to join the green energy revolution by getting solar panels, and if solar panels didn’t work well in Illinois, you can be sure that this would not be the case.
- Costs Are Low
The combination of the Federal Solar Tax Credit and the Illinois Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) can lower the cost of installing solar panels significantly, thereby reducing the payback period.
This means that you’re able to make net savings from your solar investment much sooner, which is one of the things that makes solar such an attractive option in Illinois.
- Illinois Has Solar Net Metering
Illinois homes that transition to solar panels are able to benefit from solar net metering. Solar net metering means that for every kWh of excess electricity you generate and feed into the grid, you generate utility credits worth an equal amount, which can be used later.
This means that homeowners can make maximum overall savings from their solar investment, because they are able to benefit fully from every kWh that their solar panels produce.
However, solar net metering agreements won’t be available to new applicants indefinitely. In some other states, solar net metering at a ratio of 1:1 has already ended – and it will end in Illinois once solar accounts for 3% of peak demand.
Nevertheless, in states where solar net metering has ended, homes that already had the 1:1 ratio have kept the terms of their original agreement. This shows that if you’re thinking of getting solar panels, the sooner you do it, the more likely you are to make maximum savings.
- Solar Panels Generate Electricity Even On Cloudy Days
It’s a misconception that solar panels only generate electricity on days when there are no clouds in the sky.
It’s true that solar panels produce the most power in unobstructed sunlight during peak sun hours, but your solar panels still produce electricity when it’s cloudy.
- Temperature Also Affects Solar Panel Efficiency
Whereas Illinois may have more cloudy days than states such as California, temperature also affects solar panel efficiency.
In states with lots of sun but high temperatures, solar panel efficiency will be negatively affected by the heat friction within the panel. The reduction in efficiency is measured by a scale known as the temperature coefficient.
The temperature coefficient tells you how much the efficiency percentage drops for every 1°C the panel gets over 25°C (77°F). Do Solar Panels Work Well In Illinois in 2023?
Which Type Of Solar Panel Works Best In Illinois?
There are three different types of solar panels. They are:
- Monocrystalline solar panels
- Polycrystalline solar panels
- Thin film solar panels
Each type of solar panel has different advantages and disadvantages in different areas. Below is an overview of some of the key selling points of each type of solar panel, along with their specifications.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline solar panels are the oldest type of solar panel, but they’re also the most highly developed. This type of solar panel is the most popular for residential installations in the USA.
This is largely due to it being the most efficient, and the most cost-effective in the long run (despite higher upfront costs) both due to its efficiency and its long lifespan. Do Solar Panels Work Well In Illinois in 2023?
Monocrystalline Solar Panel Specifications
- Solar Panel Efficiency Rating: Normally somewhere between 17 and 24%.
- Power Output: Commercially available models usually have a power output of between 327 and 425 watts.
- Lifespan: The monocrystalline solar panels we use at Green Home Makeover have a 40 year life expectancy and come with a 25 year warranty
- Cost: The average price of monocrystalline solar panels is around $3.00 to $3.50 per watt
- Temperature coefficient: -0.3 to -0.4%.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline panels are the second most efficient type of solar panel, and historically they were the go-to option for homeowners installing solar panels on a budget.
However, manufacturing advances in monocrystalline production have meant that the price gap has narrowed substantially, so most homeowners now choose monocrystalline solar panels.
Polycrystalline Solar Panel Specifications
- Solar Panel Efficiency Rating: Usually somewhere between 15 and 17%.
- Power Output: Due to their lower efficiency, power output is also lower and normally lies in the region of 240 and 300 watts.
- Lifespan: Polycrystalline solar cells have a higher degradation rate than monocrystalline cells, so their average lifespan is only between 20 and 35 years.
- Cost: Polycrystalline solar panels usually come with a price tag in the range of $2.80 to $3.00 per watt
- Temperature coefficient: -0.45 to -0.5%
Thin Film Solar Panels
Thin film solar panels are the least efficient type of solar panel, and they also have the shortest lifespan by a long way. Consequently, they’re rarely used in residential installations, despite being the cheapest option.
Thin film solar panels are normally used in commercial installations, where space is less of a limiting factor and short-term costs are more of a driving factor. Do Solar Panels Work Well In Illinois in 2023?
Thin Film Solar Panel Specifications
- Solar Panel Efficiency Rating: Thin film solar panels have the lowest efficiency – typically ranging between 10 and 13%.
- Power Output: Their power output is usually 250 watts maximum
- Lifespan: Thin film solar panels last only 10 to 20 years.
- Cost: They have an average price range of $2.00 to $3.00 per watt
- Temperature coefficient: -0.2%
Monocrystalline Solar Panels Are The Best Option In Illinois
Due to their higher efficiency and power output, monocrystalline solar panels are better equipped to be able to meet your energy requirements, even on cloudy days.
In addition, they’ll also net you the biggest savings over their lifetime – making them the best choice for any home in Illinois. Do Solar Panels Work Well In Illinois in 2023?
Thinking Of Installing Solar Panels? Trust The Experts
If you’ve made it to the end of this article, you’re likely one of the many homeowners in Illinois that have realized that solar panels make sense in Illinois.
If you’ve done some research, you’ll no doubt be realizing that the process of upgrading your home to solar isn’t as straightforward as many people might think at first. That’s why Green Home Makeover is here to help.
We’ll manage every aspect of your solar project, from A to Z, to make sure that you don’t stumble over any of the hurdles or get caught up in all the red tape. All you have to worry about is being home on the day of the installation.
If you’d like to know more about how we can help make your solar dream a reality, contact us today to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation and quote. Do Solar Panels Work Well In Illinois in 2023?
References:
- https://illinoisshines.com/
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/articles/solar-investment-tax-credit-what-changed
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322081958_Influence_of_Temperature_on_the_Performance_of_Photovoltaic_Polycrystalline_Silicon_Module_in_the_Bruneian_Climate
- https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/types-of-solar-panels/