Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Joseph, IL (2024 Update)
- St. Joseph Solar Installation Cost: $16,614
- 25-Year Savings: $13,214
- Payback Period: 16.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Joseph
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in St. Joseph.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in St. Joseph, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average St. Joseph homeowner needs a 6.3-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,614 with the federal tax credit, or $23,758 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and your own solar costs may differ based on your energy needs and what company you go with.Many homeowners find going solar is a solid investment. The average homeowner in St. Joseph can save about $15,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To receive a free quote from a pre-vetted solar company in St. Joseph, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St. Joseph
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,763 |
| 3 years | $-14,062 |
| 5 years | $-12,361 |
| 7 years | $-10,659 |
| 9 years | $-8,958 |
| 11 years | $-7,257 |
| 13 years | $-5,556 |
| 15 years | $-3,854 |
| 17 years | $-2,153 |
| 19 years | $-452 |
| 21 years | $1,250 |
| 23 years | $2,951 |
| 25 years | $4,652 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Joseph
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be challenging. A solar installer can also help save you money in the long run by providing warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 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. 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 is determined by several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $3,760. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like St. Joseph, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in St. Joseph, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.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 can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean 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 end up saving you 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 | $3.91 | $16,424 | $7,603 | 17.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $10,558 | 16.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $13,724 | 16.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $17,100 | 16.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $20,687 | 15.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $24,485 | 15.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $28,493 | 15.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $32,712 | 14.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you choose.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 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. Joseph, IL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. Joseph?
The average cost of solar panels in St. Joseph is about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like 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. Joseph?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it usually comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.
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 receive compensation for the extra power your system produces 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 many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.