Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Clair, MO (2023 Update)
- St. Clair Solar Installation Cost: $13,045
- 25-Year Savings: $17,963
- Payback Period: 10.5 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Clair
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in St. Clair.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in St. Clair, the typical cost of a solar system is 2.59 per watt. The average solar panel system size in St. Clair is around 7.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $13,054 for a solar installation, or $18,667 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average St. Clair homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Despite the high initial cost, the average St. Clair homeowner can save around $16,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St. Clair
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,942 |
| 3 years | $-12,735 |
| 5 years | $-12,528 |
| 7 years | $-12,321 |
| 9 years | $-12,115 |
| 11 years | $-11,908 |
| 13 years | $-11,701 |
| 15 years | $-11,495 |
| 17 years | $-11,288 |
| 19 years | $-11,081 |
| 21 years | $-10,874 |
| 23 years | $-10,668 |
| 25 years | $-10,461 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Clair
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be challenging. Plus, if you're unsure what kind of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar installer can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in St. Clair
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Clair
For many St. Clair homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. Clair, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
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 with greater efficiency or power generation require 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. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like St. Clair, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many St. Clair homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you choose to handle your switch to sustainable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout St. Clair, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment. Additionally, some companies in St. Clair know more about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $14,544 | 10.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $19,682 | 10.7 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $24,965 | 10.5 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $30,393 | 10.3 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $35,966 | 10.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $41,684 | 9.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $47,547 | 9.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $53,555 | 9.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. While there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to ask for their list of options before making your decision.
- 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.
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it carefully so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's St. Clair, MO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Clair?
This is a hard 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 cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is it worth going solar in St. Clair?
Solar panels can be a great investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.