Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. James, MO (2024 Update)
- St. James Solar Installation Cost: $16,871
- 25-Year Savings: $19,715
- Payback Period: 12.9 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. James
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in St. James.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in St. James, the typical cost of a solar system is 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in St. James, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,871, or $24,126 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The true cost of installing solar panels can vary based on multiple factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with.Despite the high upfront cost, the average St. James homeowner can save around $18,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in St. James for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in St. James
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,459 |
| 3 years | $-12,636 |
| 5 years | $-9,812 |
| 7 years | $-6,989 |
| 9 years | $-4,166 |
| 11 years | $-1,342 |
| 13 years | $1,481 |
| 15 years | $4,304 |
| 17 years | $7,128 |
| 19 years | $9,951 |
| 21 years | $12,774 |
| 23 years | $15,598 |
| 25 years | $18,421 |
Top Solar Installers in St. James
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since installing solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Another perk of going with a solar installer is that they can help you optimize your ROI by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
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 St. James
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. James
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that will push your cost above or below the average in St. James: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,370 per kilowatt in St. James.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your energy bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the St. James average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, 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.It’s wise to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you pick will influence your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger 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 | $12,698 | 13.4 years |
| 8 kW | $3.44 | $19,249 | $17,309 | 13.2 years |
| 10 kW | $3.37 | $23,590 | $22,108 | 12.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.30 | $27,742 | $27,095 | 12.6 years |
| 14 kW | $3.24 | $31,705 | $32,272 | 12.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.17 | $35,479 | $37,637 | 12.1 years |
| 18 kW | $3.10 | $39,065 | $43,191 | 11.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.03 | $42,462 | $48,933 | 11.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installer you choose greatly impacts your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 St. James, MO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. James?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $16,850 for a 5-kW system and $33,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in St. James?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
How much can I save on power bills after switching to solar?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in St. James, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses 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 household 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.