Solar Panel Cost Guide in O'Fallon, MO (2024 Update)

  • O'Fallon 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 O'Fallon

Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in O'Fallon.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in O'Fallon generally cost around 3.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in O'Fallon, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,066, or $24,404 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

The actual price you pay can go above or below the average in O'Fallon depending on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Despite the large initial cost, the average O'Fallon homeowner can save around $15,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.

To get a free quote from a vetted solar installation company in O'Fallon, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in O'Fallon

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 O'Fallon

Many homeowners decide to use a solar panel company since installing solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Companies can also have access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be right for your home.

Working with a licensed solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:

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 O'Fallon

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in O'Fallon

While the average cost of a solar system in O'Fallon is $17,066, your actual cost may be above or below the average. There are several factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power production need 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 $3,370.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in O'Fallon to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time due to interest.Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for O'Fallon homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to sustainable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in O'Fallon, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, 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 $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

The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you’d like plays a role in which company you should choose, since different companies provide different panels.
  • 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 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 O'Fallon, MO Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in O'Fallon?

This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly 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 higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?

Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

Can solar panels eliminate my electricity bills?

It is possible to erase your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in O'Fallon, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can take a 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 cover 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.

Follow us