Solar Panel Cost Guide in West St Paul, MN (Mar 2023)
- West St Paul Solar Installation Cost: $14,294
- 25-Year Savings: $21,492
- Payback Period: 10.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in West St Paul
We go over average solar pricing in West St Paul.
The average cost of solar panels in West St Paul is 2.84 per watt. Because a 7.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in West St Paul, the average price of going solar will be about $14,294 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average West 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. Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a solid investment. The average homeowner in West St Paul can save about $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
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 West St Paul
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,862 |
| 3 years | $-9,999 |
| 5 years | $-7,137 |
| 7 years | $-4,274 |
| 9 years | $-1,411 |
| 11 years | $1,452 |
| 13 years | $4,315 |
| 15 years | $7,178 |
| 17 years | $10,041 |
| 19 years | $12,904 |
| 21 years | $15,767 |
| 23 years | $18,629 |
| 25 years | $21,492 |
Top Solar Installers in West St Paul
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to hire a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. Since solar panels are exposed to the elements every day, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some nearby:
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
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
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 is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company 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 want is another factor that will largely affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Further, 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 searching for a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are available from most installers in West St Paul, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. Though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for West St Paul homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar panels can play a part in determining how much it costs. West St Paul's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. 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 access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car 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 | $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
The solar company you go with will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, including:
- Warranty: If you're concerned about the longevity of your solar panel system, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
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
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
EcoWatch's West St Paul, MN Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in West St Paul?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, 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 more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in West St Paul?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Does West 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 let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future utility bills.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the amount of sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.