Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Charles, MN (2025 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.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in St. Charles, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.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.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of St. Charles homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With typical savings of about $19,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in St. Charles find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in St. Charles for a personalized quote.
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
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners opt to go with a solar installation company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you're looking for a solar company in St. Charles, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
See all of the solar companies in St. Charles
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Charles
There are many criteria that can influence your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $4,030. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like St. Charles, where sunlight isn’t as 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
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are provided by most installers in St. Charles, which can lower, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose will influence your total cost to make the switch to solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also is within 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 | $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 installation company you choose has an impact on 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: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar system is installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you’d like plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
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 real cost will depend on certain factors 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 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.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in St. Charles is currently $319,364, which means you can look forward to a value of about $13,094 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in St. Charles is a worthwhile investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household 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.