Solar Panel Cost Guide in O'Fallon, MO (2024 Update)
- O'Fallon Solar Installation Cost: $17,066
- 25-Year Savings: $16,170
- Payback Period: 14.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in O'Fallon
Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in O'Fallon.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in O'Fallon generally cost around 3.Since a 7.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy needs of a typical home in O'Fallon, the average price of going solar will be about $17,066 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The actual cost of going solar can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with.Despite the large initial cost, the average O'Fallon homeowner can save about $15,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in O'Fallon for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in O'Fallon
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,776 |
| 3 years | $-13,194 |
| 5 years | $-10,613 |
| 7 years | $-8,032 |
| 9 years | $-5,451 |
| 11 years | $-2,870 |
| 13 years | $-289 |
| 15 years | $2,292 |
| 17 years | $4,874 |
| 19 years | $7,455 |
| 21 years | $10,036 |
| 23 years | $12,617 |
| 25 years | $15,198 |
Top Solar Installers in O'Fallon
When going solar, many homeowners opt to go with a solar installer since putting up a solar system yourself can be a time-consuming project. The expertise that solar installers offer can be valuable as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what type of solar equipment you need.
Working with a vetted solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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 O'Fallon
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in O'Fallon
The cost of installing a solar system in O'Fallon can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of solar panels in O'Fallon, 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 determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,370 for each additional kilowatt you need.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like O'Fallon, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in O'Fallon offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in O'Fallon, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.The company’s size can sometimes play the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to greater resources and bulk 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 discount can bring their pricing lower 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 | $9,568 | 15.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.44 | $19,249 | $13,135 | 14.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.37 | $23,590 | $16,891 | 14.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.30 | $27,742 | $20,835 | 14.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.24 | $31,705 | $24,968 | 14.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.17 | $35,479 | $29,290 | 13.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.10 | $39,065 | $33,801 | 13.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.03 | $42,462 | $38,500 | 13.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you opt for will affect 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 some important things you should consider, including:
- Reputation: Long-running companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you’d like to install plays a role in which installer you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the longevity of your solar energy system, ensuring your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
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 O'Fallon, MO Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in O'Fallon?
The average cost of solar panels in O'Fallon is about $16,850 for a 5-kW system and $33,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout O'Fallon, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for 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 many solar panels do I need to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.