Solar Panel Cost Guide in West St. Paul, MN (2023 Update)
- West St. Paul Solar Installation Cost: $14,292
- 25-Year Savings: $21,494
- Payback Period: 10.0 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in West St. Paul
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in West St. Paul.
In West St. Paul, solar panels cost about 2.84 per watt on average. Using this figure, a typical 7.2-kW system would cost about $14,294 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of West St. Paul 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. Many homeowners find going solar is a solid investment. The average homeowner in West St. Paul can save about $19,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar company in West St. Paul, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in West St. Paul
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,013 |
| 3 years | $-10,454 |
| 5 years | $-7,895 |
| 7 years | $-5,336 |
| 9 years | $-2,777 |
| 11 years | $-218 |
| 13 years | $2,341 |
| 15 years | $4,900 |
| 17 years | $7,459 |
| 19 years | $10,017 |
| 21 years | $12,576 |
| 23 years | $15,135 |
| 25 years | $17,694 |
Top Solar Installers in West St. Paul
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it involves extra labor and handiness. Because of that, most homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Another good thing about using a reputable solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in West St. Paul:
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 West St. Paul
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West St. Paul
The cost of installing a solar system in West St. Paul can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar 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 pay about $2,840 per kilowatt in West St. Paul. The kind of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will considerably affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in West St. Paul, which can lower, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for West St. Paul homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. 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 installation company you pick will influence your total cost to make the switch to solar power. 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 at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $2.95 | $12,405 | $17,461 | 10.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.90 | $16,222 | $23,600 | 10.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.84 | $19,880 | $29,897 | 10.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.78 | $23,379 | $36,354 | 9.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.73 | $26,719 | $42,970 | 9.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.67 | $29,900 | $49,744 | 9.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.61 | $32,921 | $56,678 | 9.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.56 | $35,784 | $63,771 | 9.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand 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 things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you want plays a role in which company you should opt for, since different companies provide different panels.
- Warranty: If you're concerned about the endurance of your solar panel system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- 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 acquire and how long the project will take.
- Contract: Look through the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
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 West St. Paul, MN Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in West St. Paul?
The average cost of solar panels in West St. Paul is about $14,200 for a 5-kW system and $28,400 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in West St. Paul?
You can't get solar panels for free in West St. Paul. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in West St. Paul?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels 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 usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house 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.