Solar Panel Cost Guide in Center, MO (2024 Update)
- Center Solar Installation Cost: $16,635
- 25-Year Savings: $22,868
- Payback Period: 11.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Center
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Center.
In Center, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Center, most homeowners require a 7.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,635, or $23,788 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you want, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on utility bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Center
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,227 |
| 3 years | $-12,411 |
| 5 years | $-9,595 |
| 7 years | $-6,779 |
| 9 years | $-3,963 |
| 11 years | $-1,147 |
| 13 years | $1,669 |
| 15 years | $4,485 |
| 17 years | $7,301 |
| 19 years | $10,117 |
| 21 years | $12,933 |
| 23 years | $15,749 |
| 25 years | $18,565 |
Top Solar Installers in Center
Putting up solar panels by yourself can be a time-consuming task, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, opting for a solar installer can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 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 Center
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Center
The cost of installing a solar system in Center can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Center, 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 consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,370 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. Generally, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking to get 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
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are available from most installers in Center, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you pick will influence your total cost to make the switch to solar . Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk 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 | $3.50 | $14,720 | $15,615 | 12.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.44 | $19,249 | $21,197 | 11.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.37 | $23,590 | $26,968 | 11.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.30 | $27,742 | $32,928 | 11.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.24 | $31,705 | $39,076 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.17 | $35,479 | $45,413 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.10 | $39,065 | $51,939 | 10.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.03 | $42,462 | $58,654 | 10.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should take into account, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will have different brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
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 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 Center, MO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Center?
The average cost of solar panels in Center is about $16,850 for a 5-kW system and $33,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Center?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Is it worth going solar in Center?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 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.