Solar Panel Cost Guide in St Marys, KS (Mar 2023)
- St Marys Solar Installation Cost: $14,141
- 25-Year Savings: $33,244
- Payback Period: 7.5 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St Marys
Here's how much it might cost to go solar in St Marys.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in St Marys generally cost about 2.59. The average St Marys homeowner needs a 7.8-kilowatt system, which would cost about $14,141 with the federal tax credit, or $20,222 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average St Marys homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Despite the large initial cost, the average St Marys homeowner can save around $23,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St Marys
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,246 |
| 3 years | $-8,455 |
| 5 years | $-4,664 |
| 7 years | $-874 |
| 9 years | $2,917 |
| 11 years | $6,708 |
| 13 years | $10,499 |
| 15 years | $14,290 |
| 17 years | $18,081 |
| 19 years | $21,871 |
| 21 years | $25,662 |
| 23 years | $29,453 |
| 25 years | $33,244 |
Top Solar Installers in St Marys
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Using an installer can make your swap to solar power much easier. A solar company can also help save you money over time by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Marys
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St Marys
The cost of installing a solar system in St Marys can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest 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
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in St Marys, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home's energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by around $2,590 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like St Marys, 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
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a popular route because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for St Marys homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you choose will affect your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and go with the company that has the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also fit into your budget.
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 | $25,128 | 7.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $33,794 | 7.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $42,605 | 7.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $51,561 | 7.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $60,662 | 7.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $69,908 | 7.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $79,299 | 6.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $88,836 | 6.7 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 difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're on the same page with the company regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Marys, KS Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St Marys?
The average cost of solar panels in St Marys is about $12,950 for a 5-kW system and $25,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the type 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 Marys?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to 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.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.