Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lake St. Louis, MO (2024 Update)

  • Lake St. Louis Solar Installation Cost: $17,066
  • 25-Year Savings: $16,170
  • Payback Period: 14.6 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

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Lake St. Louis

We break down average solar pricing in Lake St. Louis.

The average cost of solar panels in Lake St. Louis is 3 per watt.Because a 7.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Lake St. Louis, the average price of going solar will be about $17,066 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Lake St. Louis homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With average savings of about $15,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Lake St. Louis find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.

To receive a free estimate from a vetted solar installer in Lake St. Louis, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Lake St. Louis

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 Lake St. Louis

When going solar, many homeowners choose to go with a solar company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.

If you're searching for a solar installer in Lake St. Louis, the EcoWatch team has compiled 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 Lake St. Louis

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lake St. Louis

For many Lake St. Louis homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Lake St. Louis, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,370 per kilowatt in Lake St. Louis.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In general, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a solid route because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar panel installation company you choose will influence your total cost to make the switch to solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fits within your budget.

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 decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of options before deciding.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated 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 satisfied reviews from previous customers.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
  • Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar system, verifying that your company 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 Lake St. Louis, MO Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Lake St. Louis?

This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally 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 be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Lake St. Louis?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.

Is it worth going solar in Lake St. Louis?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

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

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs 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 home 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.

Follow us