Solar Panel Cost Guide in St Joseph, MO (Mar 2023)
- St Joseph Solar Installation Cost: $13,199
- 25-Year Savings: $24,209
- Payback Period: 8.8 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St Joseph
Here's how much it might cost to switch to solar power in St Joseph.
In St Joseph, solar panels cost about 2.59 per watt on average. The average St Joseph homeowner needs a 7.3-kilowatt system, which would cost about $13,199 with the federal tax credit, or $18,875 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average St Joseph homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Many homeowners find going solar is a sound investment. The average homeowner in St Joseph can save around $20,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in St Joseph that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in St Joseph
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,702 |
| 3 years | $-8,710 |
| 5 years | $-5,717 |
| 7 years | $-2,725 |
| 9 years | $268 |
| 11 years | $3,261 |
| 13 years | $6,253 |
| 15 years | $9,246 |
| 17 years | $12,238 |
| 19 years | $15,231 |
| 21 years | $18,224 |
| 23 years | $21,216 |
| 25 years | $24,209 |
Top Solar Installers in St Joseph
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by providing warranties, repairs and part replacements.
If you'd like to start using solar energy but still aren't sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
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 Joseph
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St Joseph
The cost of installing a solar system in St Joseph can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy 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 pay about $2,590 per kilowatt in St Joseph. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like St Joseph, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in St Joseph offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total 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 more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you select will play a role in your total cost to make the switch to solar . Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It's best to do some research and choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you're looking for and also is within 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 | $19,523 | 9.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $26,320 | 9.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $33,263 | 8.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $40,351 | 8.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $47,583 | 8.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $54,961 | 8.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $62,484 | 8.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $70,152 | 7.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose considerably influences your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: Before you sign a contract with a solar company, be sure to look it over fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you're not sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a part breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're on the same page with the company regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panel system is installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 Joseph, MO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St Joseph?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive 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 completely eradicate my energy bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in St Joseph, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that 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.
How long do solar panels last in St Joseph?
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 higher level 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.