Solar Panel Cost Guide in Webster Groves, MO (2024 Update)

  • Webster Groves Solar Installation Cost: $17,060
  • 25-Year Savings: $18,719
  • Payback Period: 13.4 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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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Webster Groves

We go over average solar pricing in Webster Groves.

The average cost of a solar system in Webster Groves is 3 per watt.The average Webster Groves homeowner needs a 7.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,060 with the federal tax credit, or $24,396 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The exact cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit depending on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what installation company you go with.With average savings of about $17,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Webster Groves find investing in solar can pay off big.

To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar installation company in Webster Groves, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Webster Groves

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 Webster Groves

Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra labor and expertise. Because of that, most homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Another upside of utilizing a solar installer is that they can help you optimize your investment by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.

Working with a vetted solar company can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:

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 Webster Groves

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Webster Groves

Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Webster Groves: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,370.The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will largely affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions 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’s in your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Webster Groves, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the original cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs significantly.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can influence the cost. Webster Groves’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

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 $11,688 13.9 years
8 kW $3.44 $19,249 $15,962 13.7 years
10 kW $3.37 $23,590 $20,424 13.4 years
12 kW $3.30 $27,742 $25,075 13.1 years
14 kW $3.24 $31,705 $29,915 12.9 years
16 kW $3.17 $35,479 $34,943 12.6 years
18 kW $3.10 $39,065 $40,160 12.3 years
20 kW $3.03 $42,462 $45,566 12.1 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
  • Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a good company.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you’d like to install plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.

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 Webster Groves, MO Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Webster Groves?

The average cost of solar panels in Webster Groves 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 stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Webster Groves?

Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.

How will solar panels impact the value of my home?

Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Webster Groves is currently $393,715, which means you could be looking at a value of about $16,142 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Webster Groves is a fruitful investment.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having 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.

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