Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Clair, IL (2024 Update)
- St. Clair Solar Installation Cost: $16,000
- 25-Year Savings: $12,528
- Payback Period: 16.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Clair
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in St. Clair.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in St. Clair typically cost around 4.Using this figure, a typical 6.1-kW system would cost about $16,000 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and the cost of going solar for you will look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with.With typical savings of about $15,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in St. Clair find installing solar panels can pay off big.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St. Clair
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,149 |
| 3 years | $-13,448 |
| 5 years | $-11,746 |
| 7 years | $-10,045 |
| 9 years | $-8,344 |
| 11 years | $-6,643 |
| 13 years | $-4,941 |
| 15 years | $-3,240 |
| 17 years | $-1,539 |
| 19 years | $163 |
| 21 years | $1,864 |
| 23 years | $3,565 |
| 25 years | $5,267 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Clair
Putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another benefit of working with a solar company is that they can help you make the most of your investment by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in St. Clair
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Clair
For many St. Clair homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. Clair, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,760. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like St. Clair, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited 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
Most solar companies in St. Clair offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar panels can affect the cost. St. Clair’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.91 | $16,424 | $7,407 | 17.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $10,297 | 16.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $13,398 | 16.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $16,710 | 16.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $20,231 | 15.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $23,964 | 15.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $27,907 | 15.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $32,061 | 14.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have various brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's St. Clair, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Clair?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my power bills?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout St. Clair, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level 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.