Solar Panel Cost Guide in St Louis, MO (Mar 2023)
- St Louis Solar Installation Cost: $13,108
- 25-Year Savings: $18,381
- Payback Period: 10.4 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St Louis
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in St Louis.
The average cost of solar panels in St Louis is 2.59 per watt. Because a 7.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption 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%.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To receive a free quote from a top solar installation company in St Louis, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St Louis
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,848 |
| 3 years | $-9,329 |
| 5 years | $-6,810 |
| 7 years | $-4,291 |
| 9 years | $-1,772 |
| 11 years | $747 |
| 13 years | $3,266 |
| 15 years | $5,786 |
| 17 years | $8,305 |
| 19 years | $10,824 |
| 21 years | $13,343 |
| 23 years | $15,862 |
| 25 years | $18,381 |
Top Solar Installers in St Louis
Putting up solar panels on your own can be a challenging undertaking, which is why hiring a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. The payback period on a solar system will vary depending on factors like your roof configuration and energy needs, but working with a solar installer can help you reach a break-even point sooner. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. Here are our suggestions:
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 Louis
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St Louis
Even though the average cost of a solar system in St Louis is $13,108, your actual cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to consider.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels 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 about $2,590 per kilowatt in St Louis. The type of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will substantially impact costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to decide on 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 into a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in St Louis offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it's vital to include that in your estimate 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 last significant cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in St Louis, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their bigger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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
There are a large number of companies to choose from in St Louis, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to take a look at their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 Louis, MO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St Louis?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in St Louis?
A solar panel system isn't free in St Louis, 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 can further reduce the cost.
Is it worth going solar in St Louis?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is 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 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.