Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cottleville, MO (2024 Update)
- Cottleville Solar Installation Cost: $17,066
- 25-Year Savings: $16,170
- Payback Period: 14.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cottleville
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Cottleville.
The average cost of solar panels in Cottleville is 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Cottleville, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,066, or $24,404 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The true cost of installing solar panels can vary depending on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with.With typical savings of about $15,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Cottleville find going solar can be quite rewarding.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Cottleville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,776 |
| 3 years | $-13,194 |
| 5 years | $-10,613 |
| 7 years | $-8,032 |
| 9 years | $-5,451 |
| 11 years | $-2,870 |
| 13 years | $-289 |
| 15 years | $2,292 |
| 17 years | $4,874 |
| 19 years | $7,455 |
| 21 years | $10,036 |
| 23 years | $12,617 |
| 25 years | $15,198 |
Top Solar Installers in Cottleville
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Also, companies with a good reputation that are more expensive upfront could actually save you money in the long term because of their warranties, repair services and expert design.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 Cottleville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cottleville
The cost of installing a solar system in Cottleville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power generation 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 brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Cottleville, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Cottleville, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you’re only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Cottleville, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and 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 access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra 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 | $9,568 | 15.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.44 | $19,249 | $13,135 | 14.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.37 | $23,590 | $16,891 | 14.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.30 | $27,742 | $20,835 | 14.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.24 | $31,705 | $24,968 | 14.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.17 | $35,479 | $29,290 | 13.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.10 | $39,065 | $33,801 | 13.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.03 | $42,462 | $38,500 | 13.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you peruse their list of options before deciding.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a couple decades are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a good company.
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 Cottleville, MO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Cottleville?
The average cost of solar panels in Cottleville is about $16,850 for a 5-kW system and $33,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Cottleville?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Does Cottleville have a net metering program?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
What solar power system size is right for 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 generally 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.