Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Charles, MN (2024 Update)
- St. Charles Solar Installation Cost: $20,483
- 25-Year Savings: $22,141
- Payback Period: 14.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Charles
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in St. Charles.
In St. Charles, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in St. Charles is around 7.3 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $20,483 for a solar installation, or $29,291 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can go above or below the average in St. Charles depending on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.Despite the significant upfront cost, the average St. Charles homeowner can save around $19,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in St. Charles that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in St. Charles
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-19,203 |
| 3 years | $-16,644 |
| 5 years | $-14,086 |
| 7 years | $-11,527 |
| 9 years | $-8,968 |
| 11 years | $-6,409 |
| 13 years | $-3,850 |
| 15 years | $-1,291 |
| 17 years | $1,268 |
| 19 years | $3,827 |
| 21 years | $6,386 |
| 23 years | $8,945 |
| 25 years | $11,503 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Charles
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it requires extra effort and know-how. That's why most people choose a solar panel installer. Since solar panels are exposed to rain, snow, hail and wind, depending on the climate, warranties and repairs from your solar installer can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
If you're looking for a solar company in St. Charles, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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 St. Charles
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Charles
For many St. Charles homeowners, the decision to go solar depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. Charles, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s crucial to accurately gauge 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. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the St. Charles average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many St. Charles homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar panel system can play a part in determining the cost. St. Charles’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, 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 | $12,621 | 14.6 years |
| 8 kW | $4.11 | $23,019 | $17,279 | 14.3 years |
| 10 kW | $4.03 | $28,210 | $22,163 | 14.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.95 | $33,175 | $27,273 | 13.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.87 | $37,914 | $32,608 | 13.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.79 | $42,428 | $38,169 | 13.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.71 | $46,716 | $43,956 | 12.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.63 | $50,778 | $49,968 | 12.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the company you choose greatly influences your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Contract: Review the contract terms closely to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a substantial role in the company you hire.
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 St. Charles, MN Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. Charles?
The average cost of solar panels in St. Charles is about $20,150 for a 5-kW system and $40,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value remarkably 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 a solar system."
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires 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 house 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.