Solar Panel Cost Guide in Riverside, MO (2025 Update)
- Riverside Solar Installation Cost: $17,138
- 25-Year Savings: $28,481
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Riverside
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Riverside.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Riverside generally cost around 3.Using this figure, a typical 7.3-kW system would cost about $17,138 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.With average savings of about $22,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Riverside find going solar can be quite rewarding.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar panel company in your area for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Riverside
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,465 |
| 3 years | $-12,118 |
| 5 years | $-8,771 |
| 7 years | $-5,425 |
| 9 years | $-2,078 |
| 11 years | $1,269 |
| 13 years | $4,615 |
| 15 years | $7,962 |
| 17 years | $11,309 |
| 19 years | $14,655 |
| 21 years | $18,002 |
| 23 years | $21,348 |
| 25 years | $24,695 |
Top Solar Installers in Riverside
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to hire a solar installation company since installing solar panels yourself can be a difficult project. Some solar installers, especially local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Riverside, therefore optimizing your ROI.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Riverside
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Riverside
The cost of installing a solar system in Riverside can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power production use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,370.The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to think about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Riverside offer solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and possibly even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Riverside, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of more 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 companies.
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 | $19,680 | 10.7 years |
| 8 kW | $3.44 | $19,249 | $26,617 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.37 | $23,590 | $33,744 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.30 | $27,742 | $41,058 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.24 | $31,705 | $48,562 | 9.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.17 | $35,479 | $56,254 | 9.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.10 | $39,065 | $64,135 | 9.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.03 | $42,462 | $72,205 | 9.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Companies that have been operating for many years likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about your solar system’s energy production.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one mark of a good company.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Riverside, MO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Riverside?
The average cost of solar panels in Riverside 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 things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider in addition to cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is a key factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Riverside?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid 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.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically 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.