Solar Panel Cost Guide in St Charles, MO (Mar 2023)
- St Charles Solar Installation Cost: $13,108
- 25-Year Savings: $16,178
- Payback Period: 11.2 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St Charles
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in St Charles.
In St Charles, solar panels cost about 2.59 per watt on average. The average St Charles homeowner needs a 7.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $13,108 with the federal tax credit, or $18,744 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The exact cost of going solar can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
To get a free estimate from a highly rated solar installer in St Charles, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St Charles
| 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 St Charles
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to go with a solar installation company since putting up a solar system yourself can be a difficult project. Plus, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar, going with a solar installer can help with that as well. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on solar panel installation 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 the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in St Charles:
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 St Charles
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St Charles
The cost of installing a solar system in St Charles can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. That's why it's important to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you want to install 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
If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a solid route because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. It's a good idea to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can impact how much you pay. St Charles' solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you want and also fit into your budget.
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
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 select 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 cost breakdown, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has satisfied reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you hire.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by offering 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 (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 St Charles, MO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St Charles?
The average cost of solar panels in St Charles is about $12,950 for a 5-kW system and $25,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in St Charles?
You can't get solar panels for free in St Charles. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How much can I save on power bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located 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 $809.62 per year.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.