Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Joseph, MN (2024 Update)
- St. Joseph Solar Installation Cost: $20,049
- 25-Year Savings: $18,942
- Payback Period: 15.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Joseph
See how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in St. Joseph.
In St. Joseph, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Since a 7.1-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in St. Joseph, the average price of going solar will be about $20,049 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The exact cost of going solar can vary quite a bit based on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in St. Joseph see about $18,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in St. Joseph
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-18,770 |
| 3 years | $-16,211 |
| 5 years | $-13,652 |
| 7 years | $-11,093 |
| 9 years | $-8,534 |
| 11 years | $-5,975 |
| 13 years | $-3,417 |
| 15 years | $-858 |
| 17 years | $1,701 |
| 19 years | $4,260 |
| 21 years | $6,819 |
| 23 years | $9,378 |
| 25 years | $11,937 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Joseph
Many homeowners decide to use a solar installation company since installing solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. Solar installers offer key benefits that can help you maximize your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
If you're searching for a solar company in St. Joseph, the EcoWatch team has organized 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. Joseph
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Joseph
There are many criteria that can influence your total 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
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in St. Joseph, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past energy bills. Your total cost can increase by around $4,030 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like St. Joseph, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, 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
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a solid choice because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for St. Joseph homeowners, they can also raise 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
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can affect how much you pay. St. Joseph’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size can sometimes play the most significant role in the cost. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger 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 | $10,316 | 15.8 years |
| 8 kW | $4.11 | $23,019 | $14,206 | 15.5 years |
| 10 kW | $4.03 | $28,210 | $18,322 | 15.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.95 | $33,175 | $22,663 | 14.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.87 | $37,914 | $27,230 | 14.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.79 | $42,428 | $32,023 | 14.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.71 | $46,716 | $37,041 | 13.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.63 | $50,778 | $42,285 | 13.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies to choose from in St. Joseph, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you go with.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the total cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
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. Joseph, MN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Joseph?
The average cost of solar panels in St. Joseph 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 stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in St. Joseph?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
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 needs 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 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.
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.