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

  • St. Paul Solar Installation Cost: $20,356
  • 25-Year Savings: $21,525
  • 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

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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. Paul

Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in St. Paul.

In St. Paul, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in St. Paul, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $20,356, or $29,109 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average St. Paul homeowner. The cost 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.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on utility bills.

To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in St. Paul

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-19,076
3 years $-16,518
5 years $-13,959
7 years $-11,400
9 years $-8,841
11 years $-6,282
13 years $-3,723
15 years $-1,164
17 years $1,395
19 years $3,954
21 years $6,513
23 years $9,071
25 years $11,630

Top Solar Installers in St. Paul

Although you can install solar panels yourself, it requires extra time and knowledge. That's why almost all homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and lower the cost of maintenance over time.

There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:

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. Paul

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Paul

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

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in St. Paul, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $4,030 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like St. Paul, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of 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

Most solar companies in St. Paul have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for St. Paul homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of sustainable energy solutions in St. Paul, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials 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 $12,223 14.8 years
8 kW $4.11 $23,019 $16,749 14.5 years
10 kW $4.03 $28,210 $21,500 14.2 years
12 kW $3.95 $33,175 $26,477 13.9 years
14 kW $3.87 $37,914 $31,680 13.6 years
16 kW $3.79 $42,428 $37,108 13.3 years
18 kW $3.71 $46,716 $42,762 13.1 years
20 kW $3.63 $50,778 $48,642 12.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

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

  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and what the project timeline is.
  • Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Contract: When looking over your solar installer’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.

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. Paul, MN Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in St. Paul 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 things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?

The initial cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Does St. Paul have a net metering program?

Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future utility bills.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.

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.

Follow us