Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. James City, FL (2024 Update)
- St. James City Solar Installation Cost: $12,004
- 25-Year Savings: $19,166
- Payback Period: 10.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. James City
Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in St. James City.
In St. James City, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average St. James City homeowner needs a 5.3-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,004 with the federal tax credit, or $17,166 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you want to get, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $20,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in St. James City find investing in solar can pay off big.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar panel company in St. James City for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in St. James City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,630 |
| 3 years | $-7,882 |
| 5 years | $-5,134 |
| 7 years | $-2,386 |
| 9 years | $362 |
| 11 years | $3,110 |
| 13 years | $5,858 |
| 15 years | $8,606 |
| 17 years | $11,354 |
| 19 years | $14,102 |
| 21 years | $16,850 |
| 23 years | $19,598 |
| 25 years | $22,346 |
Top Solar Installers in St. James City
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installation company since installing solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. Another good thing about using a vetted solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar system over time.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
See all of the solar companies in St. James City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. James City
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in St. James City: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power generation use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,210.The kind of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will considerably impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in St. James City, which can lower, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.It’s wise to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you choose will play a role in your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fits within your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.34 | $14,021 | $18,131 | 10.9 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $24,534 | 10.7 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $31,117 | 10.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $37,880 | 10.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $44,822 | 10.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $51,944 | 9.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $59,246 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $66,728 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should take into account, such as:
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before making your decision.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's St. James City, FL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. James City?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $16,050 for a 5-kW system and $32,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
How long do solar panels last in St. James City?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
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.