Solar Panel Cost Guide in Crystal City, MO (2023 Update)
- Crystal City Solar Installation Cost: $13,035
- 25-Year Savings: $19,794
- Payback Period: 9.9 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Crystal City
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Crystal City.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Crystal City it's 2.59 per watt. The average Crystal City homeowner needs a 7.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $13,035 with the federal tax credit, or $18,640 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Crystal City 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. With average savings of about $17,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Crystal City find investing in solar can pay off big.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Crystal City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,722 |
| 3 years | $-9,096 |
| 5 years | $-6,470 |
| 7 years | $-3,843 |
| 9 years | $-1,217 |
| 11 years | $1,409 |
| 13 years | $4,036 |
| 15 years | $6,662 |
| 17 years | $9,288 |
| 19 years | $11,915 |
| 21 years | $14,541 |
| 23 years | $17,167 |
| 25 years | $19,794 |
Top Solar Installers in Crystal City
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to install solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Plus, if you're not certain what kind of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a vetted solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Crystal City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Crystal City
There are many factors that can play into your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Crystal City average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a solid choice because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it's important to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you go with to handle your switch to solar energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Crystal City, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $16,100 | 10.3 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $21,756 | 10.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $27,558 | 9.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $33,505 | 9.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $39,597 | 9.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $45,834 | 9.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $52,215 | 9.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $58,742 | 8.9 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 select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer's contract, ask for clarification 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.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want to install plays a role in which installer you should choose, since different companies have different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Crystal City, MO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Crystal City?
The average cost of solar panels in Crystal City is about $12,950 for a 5-kW system and $25,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Crystal City?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure 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.
How will having solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Crystal City is currently $155,242, so you can expect a value of about $6,365 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Crystal City is a rewarding investment.
How long do solar panels last in Crystal City?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had 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.