Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Louis, MI (2024 Update)
- St. Louis Solar Installation Cost: $17,489
- 25-Year Savings: $21,584
- Payback Period: 13.0 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Louis
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in St. Louis.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in St. Louis, the typical cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.Since a 6.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in St. Louis, the average price of going solar will be about $17,489 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average St. Louis homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in St. Louis can save about $21,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in St. Louis for a quote for your home.
Solar savings over time in St. Louis
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,235 |
| 3 years | $-13,728 |
| 5 years | $-11,220 |
| 7 years | $-8,713 |
| 9 years | $-6,206 |
| 11 years | $-3,698 |
| 13 years | $-1,191 |
| 15 years | $1,317 |
| 17 years | $3,824 |
| 19 years | $6,331 |
| 21 years | $8,839 |
| 23 years | $11,346 |
| 25 years | $13,854 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Louis
When going solar, many homeowners choose to go with a solar company since handling can be a difficult project. Another great thing about using a reliable solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.
Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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
Solar Veteran
Michigan Solar Solutions
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Outstanding Local Installer
Strawberry Solar
- Outstanding customer service
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Educational, no-pressure sales approach
- Limited warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
See all of the solar companies in St. Louis
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Louis
While the average cost of a solar system in St. Louis is $17,489, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $4,060 per kilowatt in St. Louis.The brand and type 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 a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a solid choice because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in St. Louis is the company you hire to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.Additionally, some companies in St. Louis have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, 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 | $4.22 | $17,734 | $15,113 | 13.5 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $20,605 | 13.2 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $26,325 | 13.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $32,272 | 12.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $38,446 | 12.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $44,848 | 12.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $51,477 | 11.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $58,333 | 11.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, such as:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar panels, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
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
Solar Veteran
Michigan Solar Solutions
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Outstanding Local Installer
Strawberry Solar
- Outstanding customer service
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Educational, no-pressure sales approach
- Limited warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
EcoWatch's St. Louis, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Louis?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in St. Louis?
You can’t get solar panels for free in St. Louis. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the amount of 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 buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover 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.