Solar Panel Cost Guide in Charleston, MO (2023 Update)
- Charleston Solar Installation Cost: $12,842
- 25-Year Savings: $17,844
- Payback Period: 10.5 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 Charleston
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Charleston.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Charleston, the average cost of solar panels is 2.59 per watt. The average solar panel system size in Charleston is around 7.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,836 for a solar installation, or $18,355 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you may vary based on factors unique to your home and what company you choose to go with. Even with the high initial cost, the average Charleston homeowner can save about $16,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Charleston
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,740 |
| 3 years | $-12,535 |
| 5 years | $-12,331 |
| 7 years | $-12,126 |
| 9 years | $-11,922 |
| 11 years | $-11,717 |
| 13 years | $-11,512 |
| 15 years | $-11,308 |
| 17 years | $-11,103 |
| 19 years | $-10,899 |
| 21 years | $-10,694 |
| 23 years | $-10,490 |
| 25 years | $-10,285 |
Top Solar Installers in Charleston
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it involves extra time and handiness. That's why the majority of homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Plus, if you're unsure what brand of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Charleston
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Charleston
The cost of installing a solar system in Charleston 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
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $2,590. There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Generally, the brands that are more efficient tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Charleston to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time due to interest. Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Charleston homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you choose to install your solar panel system can affect the cost. Charleston's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Additionally, some companies in Charleston are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $14,679 | 10.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $19,862 | 10.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $25,191 | 10.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $30,664 | 10.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $36,282 | 10.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $42,046 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $47,954 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $54,007 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: When reading through your solar installer's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need to get plays a part in which company you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Charleston, MO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Charleston?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Charleston?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to 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.
How much can I save on electricity bills after installing solar panels?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Charleston, 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 many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size 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 typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household 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.