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
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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.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in St. Joseph, most homeowners require a 7.3-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,170, or $24,553 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and the cost of going solar for you may look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in St. Joseph see about $20,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar panel company in your area for a personalized quote.
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 use up a lot of your time and energy. Using a solar panel installer can make your swap to solar power much easier. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, going with a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.
Working with a licensed solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. 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. Joseph
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Joseph
While the average cost of a solar system in St. Joseph is $17,170, your actual cost may differ. There are many factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $3,370. The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many St. Joseph homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s important to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in St. Joseph, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger 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 | $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 solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- 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 should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's St. Joseph, MO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Joseph?
The average cost of solar panels in St. Joseph is about $16,850 for a 5-kW system and $33,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Are solar panels 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 feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.
Is it worth going solar in St. Joseph?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger 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.