Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lees Summit, MO (2023 Update)
- Lees Summit Solar Installation Cost: $13,072
- 25-Year Savings: $22,422
- Payback Period: 9.2 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lees Summit
Here's how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Lees Summit.
In Lees Summit, solar panels cost about 2.59 per watt on average. Because a 7.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in Lees Summit, the average price of going solar will be about $13,072 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The exact cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on multiple factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with. For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average homeowners in Lees Summit see about $19,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Lees Summit
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,652 |
| 3 years | $-8,813 |
| 5 years | $-5,973 |
| 7 years | $-3,134 |
| 9 years | $-294 |
| 11 years | $2,545 |
| 13 years | $5,385 |
| 15 years | $8,224 |
| 17 years | $11,064 |
| 19 years | $13,903 |
| 21 years | $16,743 |
| 23 years | $19,582 |
| 25 years | $22,422 |
Top Solar Installers in Lees Summit
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a challenging project. The expertise that solar installers provide can be valuable as well, particularly if you aren't sure what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're searching for a solar installer in Lees Summit, 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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Lees Summit
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lees Summit
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that affect your total cost in Lees Summit: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production use 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 $2,590. The type of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will largely impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Moreover, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Lees Summit homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it's vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you pick will impact your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger 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 | $18,220 | 9.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $24,584 | 9.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $31,092 | 9.2 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $37,746 | 9.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $44,545 | 8.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $51,488 | 8.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $58,577 | 8.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $65,811 | 8.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: Look through the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the overall cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their locations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
- 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 past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Lees Summit, MO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Lees Summit?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $12,950 for a 5-kW system and $25,900 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Lees Summit?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside 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 incentives and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
How will solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your property's value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them after having 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.