Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Clair, MO (2024 Update)

  • St. Clair Solar Installation Cost: $16,974
  • 25-Year Savings: $17,963
  • Payback Period: 13.7 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Clair

Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in St. Clair.

The average cost of a solar system in St. Clair is 3 per watt.Since a 7.2-kW system is needed to cover the energy consumption of a typical home in St. Clair, the average price of going solar will be about $16,974 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.

How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in St. Clair based on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in St. Clair see about $16,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

To get a free quote from a top solar company in St. Clair, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in St. Clair

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,683
3 years $-13,102
5 years $-10,521
7 years $-7,940
9 years $-5,358
11 years $-2,777
13 years $-196
15 years $2,385
17 years $4,966
19 years $7,547
21 years $10,128
23 years $12,710
25 years $15,291

Top Solar Installers in St. Clair

When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar installer since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. The payback period on a solar system will vary based on factors like your roof configuration and energy usage, but working with a solar company can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.

If you're looking for a solar installer in St. Clair, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 St. Clair

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Clair

Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners wanting to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in St. Clair: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar energy system in St. Clair, one of the most crucial 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 gauge by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $3,370 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. Generally, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you choose 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

Most solar companies in St. Clair have solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing a solar system.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you select will impact your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, 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 $11,137 14.2 years
8 kW $3.44 $19,249 $15,226 14.0 years
10 kW $3.37 $23,590 $19,505 13.7 years
12 kW $3.30 $27,742 $23,972 13.4 years
14 kW $3.24 $31,705 $28,628 13.1 years
16 kW $3.17 $35,479 $33,472 12.9 years
18 kW $3.10 $39,065 $38,505 12.6 years
20 kW $3.03 $42,462 $43,727 12.3 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:

  • Warranty: Each company may offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
  • Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the total cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a significant role in the company you go with.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 St. Clair, MO Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. Clair?

This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in St. Clair?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, as it commonly 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.

Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?

Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in St. Clair is currently $188,916, so you can expect a value of about $7,746 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in St. Clair is a worthwhile investment.

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 should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.

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