Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Louis Park, MN (2024 Update)

  • St. Louis Park Solar Installation Cost: $20,316
  • 25-Year Savings: $21,469
  • Payback Period: 14.2 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Louis Park

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in St. Louis Park.

The average cost of a solar system in St. Louis Park is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in St. Louis Park is around 7.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $20,316 for a solar installation, or $29,052 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. Louis Park homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Even with the significant upfront cost, the average St. Louis Park homeowner can save about $19,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in St. Louis Park

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-19,037
3 years $-16,478
5 years $-13,919
7 years $-11,360
9 years $-8,801
11 years $-6,242
13 years $-3,684
15 years $-1,125
17 years $1,434
19 years $3,993
21 years $6,552
23 years $9,111
25 years $11,670

Top Solar Installers in St. Louis Park

When going solar, many homeowners choose to go with a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Another great thing about choosing a reliable solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar system over time.

If you're looking for a solar installer in St. Louis Park, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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. Louis Park

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Louis Park

For many St. Louis Park homeowners, the decision to go solar rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. Louis Park, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $4,030.The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable route because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for St. Louis Park homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar panel installer you pick will influence your total cost to adopt solar energy. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 $4.19 $17,603 $12,211 14.8 years
8 kW $4.11 $23,019 $16,733 14.5 years
10 kW $4.03 $28,210 $21,480 14.2 years
12 kW $3.95 $33,175 $26,453 13.9 years
14 kW $3.87 $37,914 $31,652 13.6 years
16 kW $3.79 $42,428 $37,076 13.3 years
18 kW $3.71 $46,716 $42,726 13.1 years
20 kW $3.63 $50,778 $48,602 12.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies to choose from in St. Louis Park, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Warranty: If you’re concerned about the durability of your solar system, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer different brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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. Louis Park, MN Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Louis Park?

The average cost of solar panels in St. Louis Park 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 such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Can you get solar panels for free in St. Louis Park?

A solar panel system isn’t free in St. Louis Park, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.

How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?

It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout St. Louis Park, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to contact a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How long do solar panels last in St. Louis Park?

Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.

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.

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