Solar Panel Cost Guide in Hazelwood, MO (2024 Update)
- Hazelwood Solar Installation Cost: $17,060
- 25-Year Savings: $17,265
- Payback Period: 14.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Hazelwood
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Hazelwood.
The average cost of a solar system in Hazelwood is 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Hazelwood, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,060, or $24,396 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 consumption, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $16,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Hazelwood find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar panel company in Hazelwood for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Hazelwood
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,769 |
| 3 years | $-13,188 |
| 5 years | $-10,607 |
| 7 years | $-8,026 |
| 9 years | $-5,445 |
| 11 years | $-2,864 |
| 13 years | $-283 |
| 15 years | $2,298 |
| 17 years | $4,880 |
| 19 years | $7,461 |
| 21 years | $10,042 |
| 23 years | $12,623 |
| 25 years | $15,204 |
Top Solar Installers in Hazelwood
DIY solar panel installation is a way to cut costs, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Hiring a solar panel installer can make switching to solar power much easier. Plus, if you aren’t sure what brand of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar expert can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a licensed solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 Hazelwood
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Hazelwood
The cost of installing a solar system in Hazelwood can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Hazelwood, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Plus, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a popular choice because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.Even though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Hazelwood homeowners, they can also add to 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
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Hazelwood is the company you hire to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount 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 | $3.50 | $14,720 | $10,482 | 14.6 years |
| 8 kW | $3.44 | $19,249 | $14,353 | 14.3 years |
| 10 kW | $3.37 | $23,590 | $18,413 | 14.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.30 | $27,742 | $22,662 | 13.8 years |
| 14 kW | $3.24 | $31,705 | $27,100 | 13.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.17 | $35,479 | $31,726 | 13.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.10 | $39,065 | $36,541 | 12.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.03 | $42,462 | $41,545 | 12.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will affect not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- 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 good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running smoothly and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
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 Hazelwood, MO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Hazelwood?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $16,850 for a 5-kW system and $33,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Hazelwood?
A solar panel system isn’t free in Hazelwood, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Can solar panels eliminate my power bills?
It is possible to eradicate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Hazelwood, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.
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.