Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Louis, MO (2023 Update)
- St. Louis Solar Installation Cost: $13,115
- 25-Year Savings: $18,374
- Payback Period: 10.4 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Louis
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in St. Louis.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in St. Louis typically cost about 2.59. Since a 7.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in St. Louis, the average price of going solar will be about $13,108 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
The true price you pay can be above or below the average in St. Louis based on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $17,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar company in St. Louis for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in St. Louis
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-13,010 |
| 3 years | $-12,800 |
| 5 years | $-12,591 |
| 7 years | $-12,381 |
| 9 years | $-12,171 |
| 11 years | $-11,961 |
| 13 years | $-11,751 |
| 15 years | $-11,541 |
| 17 years | $-11,331 |
| 19 years | $-11,121 |
| 21 years | $-10,911 |
| 23 years | $-10,701 |
| 25 years | $-10,491 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Louis
Installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Local solar installation companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can take advantage of and by offering warranties and repairs.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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. Louis
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Louis
Although the average cost of a solar system in St. Louis is $13,108, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are quite a few factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar system installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it's a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. 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 looking for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many St. Louis homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. It's a good idea to add the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in St. Louis, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $14,804 | 10.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.64 | $14,794 | $20,029 | 10.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.59 | $18,130 | $25,399 | 10.4 years |
| 12 kW | $2.54 | $21,321 | $30,914 | 10.2 years |
| 14 kW | $2.49 | $24,367 | $36,574 | 10.0 years |
| 16 kW | $2.43 | $27,268 | $42,379 | 9.8 years |
| 18 kW | $2.38 | $30,023 | $48,329 | 9.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.33 | $32,634 | $54,424 | 9.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will influence not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- 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: When looking through your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose has an impact on 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
EcoWatch's St. Louis, MO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Louis?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in St. Louis?
You can't get solar panels for free in St. Louis. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my electricity bills?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $870.58 per year.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.