Solar Panel Cost Guide in St Paul Park, MN (2023 Update)
- St Paul Park Solar Installation Cost: $14,353
- 25-Year Savings: $21,433
- Payback Period: 10.0 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St Paul Park
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in St Paul Park.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in St Paul Park, the typical cost of solar panels is 2.84 per watt. To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in St Paul Park, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $14,353, or $20,525 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
How much you pay can be above or below the average in St Paul Park depending on several factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. Despite the significant upfront cost, the average St Paul Park homeowner can save around $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in St Paul Park for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in St Paul Park
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,922 |
| 3 years | $-10,059 |
| 5 years | $-7,196 |
| 7 years | $-4,333 |
| 9 years | $-1,470 |
| 11 years | $1,392 |
| 13 years | $4,255 |
| 15 years | $7,118 |
| 17 years | $9,981 |
| 19 years | $12,844 |
| 21 years | $15,707 |
| 23 years | $18,570 |
| 25 years | $21,433 |
Top Solar Installers in St Paul Park
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra labor and expertise. That's one of the reasons almost all homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Also, companies with an outstanding reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long term with their warranties, repair services and expert design.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 Paul Park
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St Paul Park
The cost of installing a solar system in St Paul Park can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,840 per kilowatt in St Paul Park. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like St Paul Park, 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
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a solid option because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it's important to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can impact the cost. St Paul Park's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company's size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to more resources and bulk 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 down 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 | $2.95 | $12,405 | $17,331 | 10.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.90 | $16,222 | $23,426 | 10.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.84 | $19,880 | $29,680 | 10.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.78 | $23,379 | $36,093 | 9.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.73 | $26,719 | $42,665 | 9.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.67 | $29,900 | $49,396 | 9.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.61 | $32,921 | $56,286 | 9.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.56 | $35,784 | $63,335 | 9.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in St Paul Park, 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:
- Contract: When reading through your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have various brands and models of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you're considering has it.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
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 Paul Park, MN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St Paul Park?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $14,200 for a 5-kW system and $28,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How will solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home remarkably 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% after installing a solar system."
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 uses 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.
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.