Solar Panel Cost Guide in Center, MO (2024 Update)
- Center Solar Installation Cost: $16,635
- 25-Year Savings: $22,868
- Payback Period: 11.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Center
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Center.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Center generally cost about 3.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Center, most homeowners require a 7.1-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,635, or $23,788 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and how much solar costs for you will differ based on your specific situation and what company you choose to go with.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on power bills.
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Solar savings over time in Center
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,227 |
| 3 years | $-12,411 |
| 5 years | $-9,595 |
| 7 years | $-6,779 |
| 9 years | $-3,963 |
| 11 years | $-1,147 |
| 13 years | $1,669 |
| 15 years | $4,485 |
| 17 years | $7,301 |
| 19 years | $10,117 |
| 21 years | $12,933 |
| 23 years | $15,749 |
| 25 years | $18,565 |
Top Solar Installers in Center
Trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a challenging task, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Another benefit of using a solar company is that they can help you make the most of your return of investment by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Center:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Center
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Center
For many Center homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Center, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $3,370 per kilowatt in Center.The type of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will largely affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Center to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you choose to install your solar system can play a role in determining how much you pay. Center’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $15,615 | 12.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.44 | $19,249 | $21,197 | 11.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.37 | $23,590 | $26,968 | 11.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.30 | $27,742 | $32,928 | 11.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.24 | $31,705 | $39,076 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.17 | $35,479 | $45,413 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.10 | $39,065 | $51,939 | 10.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.03 | $42,462 | $58,654 | 10.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you choose will influence not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the endurance of your solar panel system, checking if your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it fully so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Center, MO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Center?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $16,850 for a 5-kW system and $33,700 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 consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Center?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property 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 savings from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Center?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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.