Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Joseph, IL (2023 Update)
- St. Joseph Solar Installation Cost: $12,063
- 25-Year Savings: $13,214
- Payback Period: 11.9 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Joseph
Here's how much it might cost to install solar panels in St. Joseph.
In St. Joseph, solar panels cost about 2.73 per watt on average. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in St. Joseph, most homeowners require a 6.3-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $12,058, or $17,243 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
How much you pay can go above or below the average in St. Joseph based on several factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. With typical savings of about $15,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in St. Joseph find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St. Joseph
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,212 |
| 3 years | $-9,511 |
| 5 years | $-7,810 |
| 7 years | $-6,108 |
| 9 years | $-4,407 |
| 11 years | $-2,706 |
| 13 years | $-1,004 |
| 15 years | $697 |
| 17 years | $2,398 |
| 19 years | $4,099 |
| 21 years | $5,801 |
| 23 years | $7,502 |
| 25 years | $9,203 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Joseph
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Going with a solar panel installer can make converting to solar power much easier. The payback period on a solar system will vary based on factors like your roof configuration and energy needs, but working with a solar installer can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.
If you'd like to switch to solar energy but still aren't sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in St. Joseph
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Joseph
The cost of installing a solar system in St. Joseph can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with higher efficiency or power production 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 $2,730. The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in St. Joseph provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels. It's a good idea to include the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in St. Joseph, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in St. Joseph are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.84 | $11,925 | $12,102 | 12.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.78 | $15,594 | $16,441 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.73 | $19,110 | $20,934 | 11.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.68 | $22,473 | $25,579 | 11.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.62 | $25,684 | $30,378 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.57 | $28,741 | $35,329 | 11.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.51 | $31,646 | $40,433 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.46 | $34,398 | $45,690 | 10.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose considerably affects your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, make sure you read it through carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and what services you can expect from them.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's St. Joseph, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Joseph?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $13,650 for a 5-kW system and $27,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in St. Joseph?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of 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 savings from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in St. Joseph?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in St. Joseph?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much 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 keep using 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.