Solar Panel Cost Guide in Imperial, MO (Mar 2023)
- Imperial Solar Installation Cost: $13,035
- 25-Year Savings: $18,090
- Payback Period: 10.5 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Imperial
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Imperial.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Imperial it's 2.59 per watt. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Imperial, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $13,035, or $18,640 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
These figures are only averages, and the cost of going solar for you will look different based on your specific situation and what company you go with. With typical savings of about $16,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Imperial find going solar has a decent ROI.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Imperial
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,790 |
| 3 years | $-9,300 |
| 5 years | $-6,810 |
| 7 years | $-4,320 |
| 9 years | $-1,830 |
| 11 years | $660 |
| 13 years | $3,150 |
| 15 years | $5,640 |
| 17 years | $8,130 |
| 19 years | $10,620 |
| 21 years | $13,110 |
| 23 years | $15,600 |
| 25 years | $18,090 |
Top Solar Installers in Imperial
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it takes extra labor and expertise. That's why almost all homeowners choose a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar companies offer can be helpful as well, especially if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're searching for a solar company in Imperial, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Imperial
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Imperial
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in Imperial: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in Imperial, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,590 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Imperial, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or limited 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
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Imperial to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest. It's wise 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 the amount of time it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you choose will impact your total cost to go solar. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. 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 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 | $2.69 | $11,313 | $14,677 | 10.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $19,860 | 10.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $25,187 | 10.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $30,660 | 10.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $36,277 | 10.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $42,040 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $47,948 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $54,000 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies to choose from in Imperial, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: If you're concerned about the endurance of your solar energy system, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you'd like to install plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
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 Imperial, MO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Imperial?
The average cost of solar panels in Imperial is about $12,950 for a 5-kW system and $25,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Imperial?
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 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 savings from going solar.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my power bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Imperial, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for 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 often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.