Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Martin, MS (2024 Update)
- St. Martin Solar Installation Cost: $17,701
- 25-Year Savings: $28,902
- Payback Period: 10.1 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Martin
Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in St. Martin.
The average cost of solar panels in St. Martin is 3 per watt.The average St. Martin homeowner needs a 8.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,701 with the federal tax credit, or $25,312 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $21,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in St. Martin find going solar can pay off big.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St. Martin
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,873 |
| 3 years | $-12,217 |
| 5 years | $-8,561 |
| 7 years | $-4,905 |
| 9 years | $-1,249 |
| 11 years | $2,407 |
| 13 years | $6,064 |
| 15 years | $9,720 |
| 17 years | $13,376 |
| 19 years | $17,032 |
| 21 years | $20,688 |
| 23 years | $24,344 |
| 25 years | $28,000 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Martin
Putting up solar panels on your own can be a stressful undertaking, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar companies offer can be invaluable as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment you need.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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. Martin
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Martin
The cost of installing a solar system in St. Martin can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $3,140. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In general, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many St. Martin homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of renewable energy solutions in St. Martin, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car 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 | $3.27 | $13,716 | $18,905 | 10.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.20 | $17,936 | $25,558 | 10.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.14 | $21,980 | $32,388 | 10.1 years |
| 12 kW | $3.08 | $25,848 | $39,393 | 9.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.01 | $29,541 | $46,574 | 9.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.95 | $33,058 | $53,930 | 9.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.89 | $36,399 | $61,463 | 9.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.83 | $39,564 | $69,171 | 9.1 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 pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. Two ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, make sure to read it through fully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re unsure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and what services you can expect from them.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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. Martin, MS Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. Martin?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $15,700 for a 5-kW system and $31,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want additional 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.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in St. Martin?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most bang for your buck from going solar.
Can solar panels completely eradicate my energy 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 $1,087.35 per year.
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 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.