Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Helens, OR (2024 Update)
- St. Helens Solar Installation Cost: $11,014
- 25-Year Savings: $14,091
- Payback Period: 12.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Helens
We break down average solar pricing in St. Helens.
In St. Helens, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 4.5-kW system would cost about $11,014 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and your own solar costs may differ based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you want to go with.Many homeowners find installing a solar system is a sound investment. The average homeowner in St. Helens can save around $20,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St. Helens
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,610 |
| 3 years | $-6,801 |
| 5 years | $-3,991 |
| 7 years | $-1,182 |
| 9 years | $1,627 |
| 11 years | $4,436 |
| 13 years | $7,245 |
| 15 years | $10,054 |
| 17 years | $12,863 |
| 19 years | $15,672 |
| 21 years | $18,481 |
| 23 years | $21,290 |
| 25 years | $24,100 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Helens
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels by yourself can be hard. The expertise that solar companies provide can be valuable as well, especially if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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. Helens
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Helens
While the average cost of a solar system in St. Helens is $11,014, 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 consider.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $3,500 per kilowatt in St. Helens.There are several different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Generally speaking, the brands that are more efficient tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable choice because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you go with to handle your switch to green energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout St. Helens, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.The company’s size can sometimes play the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.64 | $15,288 | $14,697 | 12.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.57 | $19,992 | $19,989 | 12.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.50 | $24,500 | $25,476 | 12.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.43 | $28,812 | $31,159 | 12.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.36 | $32,928 | $37,038 | 11.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.29 | $36,848 | $43,113 | 11.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.22 | $40,572 | $49,384 | 11.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.15 | $44,100 | $55,852 | 11.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s crucial to maintain an open line of communication with your solar company. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the project timeline.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you want to install plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
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. Helens, OR Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. Helens?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,500 for a 5-kW system and $35,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will solar panels impact my home value?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in St. Helens is currently $413,575, so you could be looking at a value of about $16,957 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in St. Helens is a fruitful investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.