Solar Panel Cost Guide in St Augusta, MN (Mar 2023)
- St Augusta Solar Installation Cost: $14,135
- 25-Year Savings: $18,366
- Payback Period: 10.9 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in St Augusta
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in St Augusta.
In St Augusta, solar panels cost about 2.84 per watt on average. Because a 7.1-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in St Augusta, the average price of going solar will be about $14,135 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may vary based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more. For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $17,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
To receive a free estimate from a top solar company in St Augusta, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St Augusta
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,835 |
| 3 years | $-10,235 |
| 5 years | $-7,635 |
| 7 years | $-5,035 |
| 9 years | $-2,434 |
| 11 years | $166 |
| 13 years | $2,766 |
| 15 years | $5,366 |
| 17 years | $7,966 |
| 19 years | $10,566 |
| 21 years | $13,166 |
| 23 years | $15,766 |
| 25 years | $18,366 |
Top Solar Installers in St Augusta
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel installer since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be time-consuming. Plus, if you're not certain what type of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in St Augusta:
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
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
See all of the solar companies in St Augusta
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St Augusta
For many St Augusta homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St Augusta, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,840 per kilowatt in St Augusta. The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in St Augusta to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it's vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in St Augusta is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, you'll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.95 | $12,405 | $15,032 | 11.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.90 | $16,222 | $20,361 | 11.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.84 | $19,880 | $25,849 | 10.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.78 | $23,379 | $31,496 | 10.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.73 | $26,719 | $37,301 | 10.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.67 | $29,900 | $43,266 | 10.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.61 | $32,921 | $49,390 | 10.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.56 | $35,784 | $55,673 | 9.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly impacts your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- 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 certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from previous customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system's energy production.
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
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
EcoWatch's St Augusta, MN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St Augusta?
The average cost of solar panels in St Augusta is about $14,200 for a 5-kW system and $28,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my power bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $914.57 per year.
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 average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can 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 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.