Best 5 Solar Companies in St. Louis, MO

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in St. Louis

The more thorough your provider search is, the better your solar panels will ultimately function. Here are some important factors to consider while searching for a solar provider.

Licensing and Training

In Missouri, it's the responsibility of counties and cities issue contracting licenses. However, all contractors must register with the Missouri Secretary of State. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private certifications. Two of the most recognized are the PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer certificates, awarded by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in St. Louis

Your solar modules' type will affect how much power you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

You can also add battery backups and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can increase your solar system's performance. Not all solar providers offer these extras, so look for a provider that installs them if it's a priority for you.

Generally speaking, it costs about $16,850 for a five-kilowatt solar array in St. Louis. This table shows more specific costs for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in St. Louis

Choosing the ideal financing option will influence your overall solar system cost and possible savings. Common payment options include loans, leases, cash payments, and power purchase agreements. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a car loan or mortgage, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally advise against these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in certain circumstances. Ask each installer you're evaluating about the financing options it offers. A salesperson can help you determine the best option for your budget.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in St. Louis.

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to recently-purchased solar equipment purchased through 2032. Further incentives may be available through city and state governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.