Solar Panel Cost Guide in De Soto, KS (Mar 2023)

  • De Soto Solar Installation Cost: $14,286
  • 25-Year Savings: $26,915
  • Payback Period: 8.7 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in De Soto

Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in De Soto.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in De Soto, the average cost of a solar system is 2.59 per watt. The average solar panel system size in De Soto is around 7.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $14,286 for a solar installation, or $20,429 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

The actual price you pay can go above or below the average in De Soto based on a few factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. With average savings of about $20,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in De Soto find investing in solar can pay off big.

You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in De Soto that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in De Soto

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-12,638
3 years $-9,342
5 years $-6,046
7 years $-2,750
9 years $546
11 years $3,842
13 years $7,138
15 years $10,435
17 years $13,731
19 years $17,027
21 years $20,323
23 years $23,619
25 years $26,915

Top Solar Installers in De Soto

Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it involves extra energy and handiness. That's one of the reasons most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. Plus, if you're not certain what brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.

If you'd like to go solar but still aren't certain which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in De Soto:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 De Soto

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in De Soto

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in De Soto: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll go over each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the De Soto average.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a solid choice because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total 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 above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs significantly.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you opt for to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in De Soto, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. The company's size sometimes plays the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System size Cost per system watt Solar system cost 25-Year savings Payback period
6 kW $2.69 $11,313 $20,058 9.0 years
8 kW $2.64 $14,794 $27,034 8.8 years
10 kW $2.59 $18,130 $34,156 8.7 years
12 kW $2.54 $21,321 $41,422 8.5 years
14 kW $2.49 $24,367 $48,833 8.3 years
16 kW $2.43 $27,268 $56,389 8.1 years
18 kW $2.38 $30,023 $64,091 8.0 years
20 kW $2.33 $32,634 $71,937 7.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Contract: When reading over your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of options before deciding.
  • Reputation: Well-established 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 National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 De Soto, KS Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in De Soto?

This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,950 for a 5-kW system and $25,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Are solar panels free in De Soto?

Solar panels aren't free in De Soto, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.

Do solar panels increase your property value?

Solar panels can increase your property's value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."

How many solar panels should I get to power my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs 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 home 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.

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