Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Johns, AZ (2024 Update)
- St. Johns Solar Installation Cost: $12,035
- 25-Year Savings: $25,749
- Payback Period: 8.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Johns
We go over average solar pricing in St. Johns.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in St. Johns, the average cost of a solar system is 3 per watt.The average St. Johns homeowner needs a 5.6-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,035 with the federal tax credit, or $17,210 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
The true price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in St. Johns based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With average savings of about $24,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in St. Johns find installing solar panels can pay off big.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in St. Johns that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in St. Johns
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,388 |
| 3 years | $-7,096 |
| 5 years | $-3,803 |
| 7 years | $-511 |
| 9 years | $2,782 |
| 11 years | $6,075 |
| 13 years | $9,367 |
| 15 years | $12,660 |
| 17 years | $15,952 |
| 19 years | $19,245 |
| 21 years | $22,537 |
| 23 years | $25,830 |
| 25 years | $29,122 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Johns
Installing solar panels yourself can be a difficult project, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
Working with a professional solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in St. Johns
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Johns
Though the average cost of a solar system in St. Johns is $12,035, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like St. Johns, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in St. Johns to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in St. Johns, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.19 | $13,410 | $25,140 | 8.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.13 | $17,536 | $33,864 | 8.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.07 | $21,490 | $42,759 | 8.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.01 | $25,272 | $51,827 | 8.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.95 | $28,883 | $61,067 | 8.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.89 | $32,321 | $70,478 | 7.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.82 | $35,587 | $80,061 | 7.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.76 | $38,682 | $89,817 | 7.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installation company you choose considerably influences your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Companies that have been in business for many years likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry various brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's St. Johns, AZ Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Johns?
The average cost of solar panels in St. Johns is about $15,350 for a 5-kW system and $30,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in St. Johns?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Does St. Johns have a net metering program?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future energy bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.