Solar Panel Cost Guide in Stillwater, MN (2024 Update)
- Stillwater Solar Installation Cost: $20,370
- 25-Year Savings: $11,616
- Payback Period: 14.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Stillwater
We go over average solar pricing in Stillwater.
In Stillwater, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Stillwater, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $20,370, or $29,129 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are only averages, and how much solar costs for you may look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with.With average savings of about $19,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Stillwater find going solar can be quite rewarding.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Stillwater
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-19,090 |
| 3 years | $-16,531 |
| 5 years | $-13,973 |
| 7 years | $-11,414 |
| 9 years | $-8,855 |
| 11 years | $-6,296 |
| 13 years | $-3,737 |
| 15 years | $-1,178 |
| 17 years | $1,381 |
| 19 years | $3,940 |
| 21 years | $6,499 |
| 23 years | $9,058 |
| 25 years | $11,616 |
Top Solar Installers in Stillwater
Trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Another perk of utilizing a solar company is that they can help you optimize your investment by reducing your future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Stillwater:
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 Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
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 Stillwater
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Stillwater
Although the average cost of a solar system in Stillwater is $20,370, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $4,030. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable choice because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final key cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of green energy solutions in Stillwater, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that provides the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fits within 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 | $4.19 | $17,603 | $12,133 | 14.8 years |
| 8 kW | $4.11 | $23,019 | $16,628 | 14.5 years |
| 10 kW | $4.03 | $28,210 | $21,350 | 14.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.95 | $33,175 | $26,297 | 13.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.87 | $37,914 | $31,469 | 13.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.79 | $42,428 | $36,867 | 13.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.71 | $46,716 | $42,491 | 13.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.63 | $50,778 | $48,341 | 12.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and energy needs. While there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it’s essential to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel company. Confirm that you understand how the installation process works and the project completion timeline.
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
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 Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
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 Stillwater, MN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Stillwater?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $20,150 for a 5-kW system and $40,300 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 usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Stillwater?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your property 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 savings from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your home considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing solar panels."
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs 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.