Solar Panel Cost Guide in North St. Paul, MN (2024 Update)
- North St. Paul Solar Installation Cost: $20,356
- 25-Year Savings: $22,700
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in North St. Paul
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in North St. Paul.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in North St. Paul typically cost about 4.Because a 7.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in North St. Paul, the average price of going solar will be about $20,356 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
These figures are only averages, and the cost of going solar for you may vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $20,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To get a free quote from a vetted solar company in North St. Paul, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in North St. Paul
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-19,076 |
| 3 years | $-16,518 |
| 5 years | $-13,959 |
| 7 years | $-11,400 |
| 9 years | $-8,841 |
| 11 years | $-6,282 |
| 13 years | $-3,723 |
| 15 years | $-1,164 |
| 17 years | $1,395 |
| 19 years | $3,954 |
| 21 years | $6,513 |
| 23 years | $9,071 |
| 25 years | $11,630 |
Top Solar Installers in North St. Paul
When going solar, many homeowners decide to go with a solar installer since DIY solar panel installation can be a challenging project. Since solar panels are exposed to the elements every day, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by avoiding potential costs down the line.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some near you:
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 Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
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 North St. Paul
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in North St. Paul
Though the average cost of a solar system in North St. Paul is $20,356, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to consider.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in North St. Paul, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by around $4,030 for each additional kilowatt you need.The type of 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, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your electric bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the North St. Paul average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many North St. Paul homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for North St. Paul 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 avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of green energy solutions in North St. Paul, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $4.19 | $17,603 | $13,200 | 14.3 years |
| 8 kW | $4.11 | $23,019 | $18,051 | 14.0 years |
| 10 kW | $4.03 | $28,210 | $23,128 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.95 | $33,175 | $28,431 | 13.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.87 | $37,914 | $33,960 | 13.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.79 | $42,428 | $39,714 | 12.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.71 | $46,716 | $45,693 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.63 | $50,778 | $51,899 | 12.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose considerably impacts your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar panels, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Reputation: Well-established companies likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. Even though there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before making your decision.
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 Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
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 North St. Paul, MN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in North St. Paul?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $20,150 for a 5-kW system and $40,300 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Are solar panels free in North St. Paul?
You can’t get solar panels for free in North St. Paul. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.