Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. John, IN (2023 Update)
- St. John Solar Installation Cost: $25,659
- 25-Year Savings: $17,334
- Payback Period: 13.8 Years
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Updated October 25, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. John
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in St. John.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in St. John it's 2.68 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in St. John, most homeowners require a 8.9-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,771, or $23,983 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in St. John based on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.Despite the significant upfront cost, the average St. John homeowner can save around $20,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in your area for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in St. John
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-23,940 |
| 3 years | $-20,500 |
| 5 years | $-17,061 |
| 7 years | $-13,621 |
| 9 years | $-10,182 |
| 11 years | $-6,742 |
| 13 years | $-3,303 |
| 15 years | $137 |
| 17 years | $3,576 |
| 19 years | $7,015 |
| 21 years | $10,455 |
| 23 years | $13,894 |
| 25 years | $17,334 |
Top Solar Installers in St. John
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to go with a solar installation company since installing a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. The expertise that solar companies provide can be helpful as well, especially if you don't quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a licensed solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in St. John
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. John
For many St. John homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. John, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in St. John, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,680 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like St. John, 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 a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in St. John provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar.Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for St. John homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in St. John, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in St. John have more knowledge 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 | $4.26 | $17,909 | $13,336 | 14.3 years |
| 8 kW | $4.18 | $23,419 | $18,240 | 14.1 years |
| 10 kW | $4.10 | $28,700 | $23,374 | 13.8 years |
| 12 kW | $4.02 | $33,751 | $28,737 | 13.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.94 | $38,573 | $34,331 | 13.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.85 | $43,165 | $40,153 | 13.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.77 | $47,527 | $46,206 | 12.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.69 | $51,660 | $52,488 | 12.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in St. John, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure you read it through fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you aren't sure about some of the terms, such as what the warranty covers and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of options before making your decision.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it's crucial to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. Make sure you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
- Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's St. John, IN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. John?
The average cost of solar panels in St. John is about $13,400 for a 5-kW system and $26,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in St. John?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it often 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.
Is it worth going solar in St. John?
Solar panels can be a good investment for many homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.