Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Bernard, OH (2023 Update)
- St. Bernard Solar Installation Cost: $13,240
- 25-Year Savings: $10,949
- Payback Period: 13.7 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Bernard
See how much it might cost to switch to solar power in St. Bernard.
In St. Bernard, solar panels cost about 2.56 per watt on average. The average St. Bernard homeowner needs a 7.4-kilowatt system, which would cost about $13,243 with the federal tax credit, or $18,937 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average St. Bernard homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. With typical savings of about $12,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in St. Bernard find going solar has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in St. Bernard for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in St. Bernard
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,075 |
| 3 years | $-9,745 |
| 5 years | $-7,415 |
| 7 years | $-5,085 |
| 9 years | $-2,755 |
| 11 years | $-425 |
| 13 years | $1,905 |
| 15 years | $4,235 |
| 17 years | $6,565 |
| 19 years | $8,895 |
| 21 years | $11,225 |
| 23 years | $13,555 |
| 25 years | $15,885 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Bernard
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it takes extra energy and handiness. That's one of the reasons almost all homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. A solar installer can also help save you money over time by providing warranties, repairs and part replacements.
There are various 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
See all of the solar companies in St. Bernard
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Bernard
For many St. Bernard homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. Bernard, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in St. Bernard, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home's energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,560 for each additional kilowatt you need. The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the St. Bernard average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in St. Bernard, which can lower, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for St. Bernard homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you pick will affect your total cost to make the switch to solar . Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. 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 find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $2.66 | $11,182 | $8,461 | 14.2 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $11,568 | 14.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $14,818 | 13.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $18,212 | 13.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $21,749 | 13.1 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $25,430 | 12.9 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $29,253 | 12.6 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $33,221 | 12.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will affect not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind 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.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can look into your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system's energy production.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it's important to keep an open line of communication with your solar company. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the project completion timeline.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's St. Bernard, OH Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Bernard?
The average cost of solar panels in St. Bernard is about $12,800 for a 5-kW system and $25,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Can you get solar panels for free in St. Bernard?
You can't get solar panels for free in St. Bernard. 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 rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in St. Bernard?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future power bills.
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 amount 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.