Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Joseph, MO (2024 Update)

  • St. Joseph Solar Installation Cost: $17,170
  • 25-Year Savings: $24,211
  • Payback Period: 11.5 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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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 St. Joseph

Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in St. Joseph.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in St. Joseph it’s 3 per watt.The average solar panel system size in St. Joseph is around 7.3 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,170 for a solar installation, or $24,553 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are just estimates, and the cost of going solar for you may differ based on your energy needs and what company you go with.Many homeowners find going solar is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in St. Joseph can save around $20,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar installer in St. Joseph for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in St. Joseph

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,762
3 years $-12,946
5 years $-10,130
7 years $-7,314
9 years $-4,498
11 years $-1,682
13 years $1,134
15 years $3,950
17 years $6,766
19 years $9,582
21 years $12,398
23 years $15,214
25 years $18,030

Top Solar Installers in St. Joseph

DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Hiring a solar panel installer can make converting to solar power much easier. Some solar companies, particularly local ones, can help you better understand incentives in St. Joseph, optimizing your ROI.

If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in St. Joseph:

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

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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

For many St. Joseph homeowners, the decision to install solar panels rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. Joseph, 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

When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in St. Joseph, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,370 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will greatly affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Moreover, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in St. Joseph, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it’s important to take that into consideration as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you hire to handle your switch to green energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in St. Joseph, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and 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’re looking for 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 $3.50 $14,720 $16,116 11.9 years
8 kW $3.44 $19,249 $21,865 11.7 years
10 kW $3.37 $23,590 $27,803 11.5 years
12 kW $3.30 $27,742 $33,930 11.2 years
14 kW $3.24 $31,705 $40,245 11.0 years
16 kW $3.17 $35,479 $46,749 10.8 years
18 kW $3.10 $39,065 $53,442 10.6 years
20 kW $3.03 $42,462 $60,324 10.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies to choose from in St. Joseph, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
  • Contract: Though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
  • Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
  • Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the company in regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.

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

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $16,850 for a 5-kW system and $33,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in St. Joseph?

A solar panel system isn’t free in St. Joseph, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.

Is going solar worth it?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

How long do solar panels last in St. Joseph?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.

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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