Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cape Girardeau, MO (Oct 2022)
- Cape Girardeau Solar Installation Cost: $12,927
- 25-Year Savings: $19,019
- Payback Period: 10.1 Years
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Updated 9/16/2022
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cape Girardeau
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Cape Girardeau.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Cape Girardeau it's $3 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 7.1 would cost about $12,927 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and your own solar costs may differ based on your energy needs and what company you choose to go with. Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Cape Girardeau can save around $17,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To receive a free estimate from a pre-vetted solar company in Cape Girardeau, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Cape Girardeau
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,649 |
| 3 years | $-9,093 |
| 5 years | $-6,538 |
| 7 years | $-3,982 |
| 9 years | $-1,426 |
| 11 years | $1,129 |
| 13 years | $3,685 |
| 15 years | $6,241 |
| 17 years | $8,796 |
| 19 years | $11,352 |
| 21 years | $13,908 |
| 23 years | $16,463 |
| 25 years | $19,019 |
Top Solar Installers in Cape Girardeau
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to hire a solar company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. The expertise that solar installers provide can be useful as well, especially if you aren't sure what type of solar equipment you need.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't sure which solar installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Cape Girardeau
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cape Girardeau
The cost of installing a solar system in Cape Girardeau can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment Size
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $2,590. The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will greatly affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to think 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Cape Girardeau to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest. It's wise to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you choose to install your solar system can impact the cost. Cape Girardeau's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting 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 | $2.69 | $11,313 | $15,552 | 10.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $21,026 | 10.3 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $26,645 | 10.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $32,409 | 9.9 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $38,318 | 9.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $44,373 | 9.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $50,572 | 9.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $56,916 | 9.1 years |
Solar Incentives in Cape Girardeau
| Name | Empire District Electric - Solar PV Rebates |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Solar Property Tax Exemption |
| Incentive Amount | 100% exemption |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Citizens Electric Corporation - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Wabash Valley Power Association (28 Member Cooperatives) - Residential Energy Efficiency Program |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Ameren Missouri (Electric) - Residential Heating and Cooling Energy Efficiency Rebate Program |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Local Option - Clean Energy Development Boards |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Long-running companies likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Cape Girardeau, MO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cape Girardeau?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $12,950 for a 5-kW system and $25,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Cape Girardeau?
You can't get solar panels for free in Cape Girardeau. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you want to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my electricity bills?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Cape Girardeau, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you'll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How long do solar panels last in Cape Girardeau?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
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.
