Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. James, MD (2024 Update)
- St. James Solar Installation Cost: $14,149
- 25-Year Savings: $5,265
- Payback Period: 21.7 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. James
We break down average solar pricing in St. James.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in St. James typically cost about 4.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in St. James, most homeowners require a 5.7-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $14,149, or $20,233 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The actual price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in St. James based on several factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.But, after 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 $11,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar panel company in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in St. James
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,897 |
| 3 years | $-10,392 |
| 5 years | $-7,886 |
| 7 years | $-5,381 |
| 9 years | $-2,876 |
| 11 years | $-371 |
| 13 years | $2,134 |
| 15 years | $4,639 |
| 17 years | $7,144 |
| 19 years | $9,649 |
| 21 years | $12,155 |
| 23 years | $14,660 |
| 25 years | $17,165 |
Top Solar Installers in St. James
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to use a solar installation company since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Plus, if you’re unsure what brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:
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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in St. James
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. James
The cost of installing a solar system in St. James can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The model of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Plus, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider 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’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in St. James to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar installer in the area offers financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.Although solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for St. James homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panels can influence your pricing. St. James’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, 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 | $3.68 | $15,463 | $1,703 | 22.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.61 | $20,220 | $2,667 | 22.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.54 | $24,780 | $3,830 | 21.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.47 | $29,141 | $5,191 | 21.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.40 | $33,304 | $6,750 | 20.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.33 | $37,269 | $8,507 | 20.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.26 | $41,036 | $10,462 | 19.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.19 | $44,604 | $12,616 | 19.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the overall cost, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and how long it will take.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's St. James, MD Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. James?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $17,700 for a 5-kW system and $35,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in St. James?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in St. James?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.