Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lee's Summit, MO (2024 Update)
- Lee's Summit Solar Installation Cost: $17,010
- 25-Year Savings: $22,420
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lee's Summit
We break down average solar pricing in Lee's Summit.
In Lee's Summit, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Lee's Summit, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,010, or $24,324 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 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.Despite the significant initial cost, the average Lee's Summit homeowner can save about $19,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Lee's Summit
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,403 |
| 3 years | $-12,189 |
| 5 years | $-8,975 |
| 7 years | $-5,761 |
| 9 years | $-2,547 |
| 11 years | $667 |
| 13 years | $3,881 |
| 15 years | $7,095 |
| 17 years | $10,309 |
| 19 years | $13,523 |
| 21 years | $16,737 |
| 23 years | $19,951 |
| 25 years | $23,165 |
Top Solar Installers in Lee's Summit
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a time-consuming undertaking, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, using a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Lee's Summit
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lee's Summit
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Lee's Summit: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond 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 looking into a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a solid option because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Lee's Summit homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Lee's Summit is the company you get to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $14,813 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.44 | $19,249 | $20,128 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.37 | $23,590 | $25,632 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.30 | $27,742 | $31,325 | 11.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.24 | $31,705 | $37,206 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.17 | $35,479 | $43,276 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.10 | $39,065 | $49,535 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.03 | $42,462 | $55,983 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you choose will influence not only your total costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you go with.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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 Lee's Summit, MO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Lee's Summit?
The average cost of solar panels in Lee's Summit is about $16,850 for a 5-kW system and $33,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels free in Lee's Summit?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Lee's Summit. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my power bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $984.45 per year.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.