Solar Panel Cost Guide in Pleasant Hill, MO (2023 Update)

  • Pleasant Hill Solar Installation Cost: $13,072
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,204
  • Payback Period: 9.8 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

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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 Pleasant Hill

Let's take a look at the average cost of solar in Pleasant Hill.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Pleasant Hill typically cost about 2.59. Using this figure, a typical 7.2-kW system would cost about $13,072 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more. For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $18,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.

To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Pleasant Hill

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-11,741
3 years $-9,079
5 years $-6,417
7 years $-3,755
9 years $-1,092
11 years $1,570
13 years $4,232
15 years $6,894
17 years $9,556
19 years $12,218
21 years $14,880
23 years $17,542
25 years $20,204

Top Solar Installers in Pleasant Hill

Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since installing solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. The payback period on a solar system will vary based on factors like your roof configuration and energy needs, but working with a solar company can shorten that period. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.

If you're looking for a solar company in Pleasant Hill, the EcoWatch team has organized 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 (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Pleasant Hill

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pleasant Hill

The cost of installing a solar system in Pleasant Hill can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it's crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

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

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you opt for to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Pleasant Hill, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

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 $16,375 10.2 years
8 kW $2.64 $14,794 $22,123 10.0 years
10 kW $2.59 $18,130 $28,017 9.8 years
12 kW $2.54 $21,321 $34,055 9.6 years
14 kW $2.49 $24,367 $40,239 9.4 years
16 kW $2.43 $27,268 $46,567 9.2 years
18 kW $2.38 $30,023 $53,041 9.0 years
20 kW $2.33 $32,634 $59,659 8.8 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the model of solar panels and the installation company you choose greatly impacts your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. Two 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.
  • Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
  • Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.

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 (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Pleasant Hill, MO Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Pleasant Hill?

The average cost of solar panels in Pleasant Hill 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 stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Is cost the most important consideration 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 Pleasant Hill?

The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

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 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.

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