County officials said the actual cost of solar panels and installation depends on roof type and other variables. | File photo
County officials said the actual cost of solar panels and installation depends on roof type and other variables. | File photo
Champaign County homeowners and business owners will have access to heavily discounted solar panels until May 2 through a Solar Urbana-Champaign incentive program.
The program will provide 15 to 20 percent discounts on the purchase and installation of the panels. The savings are being passed on from the discounts leveraged through a bulk purchase of panels by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, Straight Up Solar, and the city of Urbana.
In addition to cheaper panels, the program will also provide free site assessments to help residents and business owners design a solar plan that matches their needs and resources. The county will host free Solar Power Hour information sessions over the next three months.
County officials said the actual cost of panels and installation depends on roof type and other variables, but can safely be estimated at $10,000 to $15,000 before a number of tax credits and rebates that can cover 25 percent or more of those costs.
To be eligible for the discounted panel prices, residents and business owners are encouraged to finalize the contracts for their solar installation by May 2.
For a schedule of Solar Power Hour information sessions, visit the program's website at http://www.growsolar.org/solar-urbana-champaign.
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