Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lake St Louis, MO (Mar 2023)
- Lake St Louis Solar Installation Cost: $13,108
- 25-Year Savings: $16,178
- Payback Period: 11.2 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lake St Louis
Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Lake St Louis.
In Lake St Louis, solar panels cost about 2.59 per watt on average. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Lake St Louis, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $13,108, or $18,744 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more. For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $15,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Lake St Louis that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Lake St Louis
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,937 |
| 3 years | $-9,594 |
| 5 years | $-7,251 |
| 7 years | $-4,908 |
| 9 years | $-2,565 |
| 11 years | $-222 |
| 13 years | $2,121 |
| 15 years | $4,464 |
| 17 years | $6,806 |
| 19 years | $9,149 |
| 21 years | $11,492 |
| 23 years | $13,835 |
| 25 years | $16,178 |
Top Solar Installers in Lake St Louis
When going solar, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a challenging project. Also, companies with a good reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long term because of their warranties, repair services and expert design.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 Lake St Louis
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lake St Louis
The cost of installing a solar system in Lake St Louis can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it's crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose 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. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Lake St Louis average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Lake St Louis have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it's crucial to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you choose will play a role in your total cost to make the switch to solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. Additionally, some companies in Lake St Louis have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $12,975 | 11.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $17,591 | 11.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $22,351 | 11.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $27,256 | 11.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $32,307 | 10.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $37,502 | 10.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $42,842 | 10.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $48,328 | 10.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installation company you choose significantly influences your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years 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 Lake St Louis, MO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Lake St Louis?
The average cost of solar panels in Lake St Louis 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 things such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Lake St Louis?
Each state has some kind of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future utility bills.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.