Solar Panel Cost Guide in Arnold, MO (2024 Update)

  • Arnold Solar Installation Cost: $16,950
  • 25-Year Savings: $15,314
  • Payback Period: 13.7 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 Arnold

We go over average solar pricing in Arnold.

In Arnold, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Arnold, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,950, or $24,238 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The true cost of your system can be higher or lower than the average in Arnold based on several factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.Despite the significant initial cost, the average Arnold homeowner can save around $16,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.

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

Solar savings over time in Arnold

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,660
3 years $-13,079
5 years $-10,498
7 years $-7,916
9 years $-5,335
11 years $-2,754
13 years $-173
15 years $2,408
17 years $4,989
19 years $7,570
21 years $10,152
23 years $12,733
25 years $15,314

Top Solar Installers in Arnold

Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Using an installer can make converting to solar power much easier. Local solar installers can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can take advantage of and by offering warranties and repairs.

Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:

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 Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

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 Arnold

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Arnold

Though the average cost of a solar system in Arnold is $16,950, your final cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power production require better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,370.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Arnold, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, 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

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Arnold, which can reduce, 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 Arnold homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panels can impact the cost. Arnold’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting 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 $3.50 $14,720 $11,172 14.2 years
8 kW $3.44 $19,249 $15,273 13.9 years
10 kW $3.37 $23,590 $19,564 13.7 years
12 kW $3.30 $27,742 $24,042 13.4 years
14 kW $3.24 $31,705 $28,710 13.1 years
16 kW $3.17 $35,479 $33,566 12.8 years
18 kW $3.10 $39,065 $38,611 12.6 years
20 kW $3.03 $42,462 $43,845 12.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar panel company you go with will affect not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, including:

  • Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one indication of a quality company.
  • Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the total cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.

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 Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

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 Arnold, MO Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Arnold?

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $16,850 for a 5-kW system and $33,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Arnold?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.

Is switching to solar power worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount 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