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

  • Columbia Solar Installation Cost: $17,087
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,291
  • Payback Period: 12.8 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

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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 Columbia

We break down average solar pricing in Columbia.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Columbia it’s 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Columbia is around 7.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,087 for a solar installation, or $24,434 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Columbia homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $18,000 over 20 years on energy bills.

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

Solar savings over time in Columbia

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,667
3 years $-12,829
5 years $-9,991
7 years $-7,152
9 years $-4,314
11 years $-1,475
13 years $1,363
15 years $4,201
17 years $7,040
19 years $9,878
21 years $12,716
23 years $15,555
25 years $18,393

Top Solar Installers in Columbia

Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to install solar panels yourself can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Another good thing about going with a reliable solar installer is that it'll likely provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.

If you're searching for a solar installer in Columbia, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:

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 Columbia

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Columbia

The cost of installing a solar system in Columbia can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need for your household, 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 about $3,370. The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will substantially impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment is more than 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 researching a solar system that’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Columbia to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time because of interest.It’s a good idea to include 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

A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Columbia is the company you hire to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, you’ll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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 $3.50 $14,720 $12,966 13.3 years
8 kW $3.44 $19,249 $17,665 13.0 years
10 kW $3.37 $23,590 $22,554 12.8 years
12 kW $3.30 $27,742 $27,631 12.5 years
14 kW $3.24 $31,705 $32,896 12.3 years
16 kW $3.17 $35,479 $38,350 12.0 years
18 kW $3.10 $39,065 $43,993 11.8 years
20 kW $3.03 $42,462 $49,825 11.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of companies available in Columbia, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Contract: When reading over your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
  • Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar system, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.

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 Columbia, MO Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Columbia?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

Cost is definitely one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

How will installing solar panels impact how much my home is worth?

Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Columbia is currently $283,188, which means you can look forward to a value of about $11,611 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Columbia is a worthwhile investment.

How many solar panels should I get to power my home?

To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house 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.

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