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Josephine NesbitHome improvement writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 8 solar companies that operate within 50 miles of St. Louis. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
High-quality solar panel installation in St. Louis, Missouri requires you to find a solar installer with proper certification, skills and experience. We've compiled a list of the best solar companies in St. Louis to help you find the right installer.
Prior to picking an installer, get referrals, vet potential installers and get multiple quotes to find the ideal company for you. You can choose a local St. Louis solar company or use a reputable national brand.
While putting in solar panels requires a large initial investment, it can reduce your energy bills over time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that changing to solar energy enables St. Louis homeowners to save an average of $1,300 every year.
Solar companies do not all have the same services and products. You should assess different companies and get quotes before arranging your solar panel installation.
Seek out St. Louis solar companies with a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and comparable customer review platforms. The company should also have a respectable rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
You should look through past customer reviews to get insight into other homeowners' experiences with the company. Watch for repeated negative feedback as a potential red flag.
Places with different sunshine levels, including rainy or cloudy areas like St. Louis, can still use solar power. The major reasons to adopt solar energy are:
According to the results of our survey performed in October 2023, the average cost for solar panel installation nationally is $11,743.
What you'll pay to install solar panels hinges on factors such as your region, sunlight levels, roof positioning, shading, system size and labor. The cost goes up if you select any accessories like animal guards, batteries or solar trackers.
Based on data from the EIA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and NASA, installing solar panels in St. Louis typically costs $17,065.
While solar panel installation might be a big initial cost, you stand to see major savings on your electricity costs over time.
Homeowners in St. Louis who transition fully to solar energy can expect to save money. However, it takes time to recoup the initial investment, and variables such as rainfall and tree coverage affect the time it takes to see returns on your investment in solar panels.
Not only does adopting solar save you money, but it also lowers your carbon footprint and its impact on the environment. Below are approximated CO2 emission reductions you can expect from going solar, according to our calculations based on data from NASA and the EPA.
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Several solar incentives are offered to St. Louis homeowners. Certain programs are offered to all Missouri residents, whereas others vary by utility company, municipality and city.
The following solar incentives are offered to Missouri residents, as listed in DSIRE:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Rebate Program Wabash Valley Power Association (28 Member Cooperatives) - Residential Energy Efficiency Program | Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $500 Variable Speed Pool Pump: $250 Air-Source Heat Pump: $250 - $750 Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500 Heat Pump Water Heater: $400/unit HVAC: Varies depending on ZIP code. See program website |
Rebate Program Empire District Electric - Solar PV Rebates | $0.25 per watt for systems operational between July 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023 |
Property Tax Incentive Solar Property Tax Exemption | 100% exemption |
Rebate Program Ameren Missouri (Electric) - Residential Heating and Cooling Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Air-Source Heat Pump: $500-$900 Ductless Air-Source Heat Pump: $300-$500 Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $175-$200 Ground Source Heat Pump: $800-$2,000 Central Air Conditioner: $300-$500 Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM): $50-$100 Air Conditioner/Heat Pump Tune-Up: $75 |
PACE Financing Local Option - Clean Energy Development Boards | Financing contracts limited to 20 years or less; improvements must display a positive economic benefit over the life of the contract. |
Rebate Program Cuivre River Electric - Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs | Water Heater: $50 Ground-Source Heat Pumps: $750/ton Ground-Source Heat Pump Replacement: $150/ton Dual Fuel Heat Pumps: $150/ton Basement/Crawl space/slab insulation: 50% of installed cost Advanced Thermostat: 50% of installed cost Heat Pump Water Heater: 50% of installed cost Window Air Conditioning: 50% of installed cost Business Lighting Rebate: Varies, visit program website or contact utility for details |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
Take time to reflect on these questions prior to hiring a solar panel installation company.
Your solar panel system's size is contingent upon your home's energy consumption and the system's production capacity. Larger homes use more electricity and might require bigger solar setups. An undersized system might not manage to fully energize your house.
Your solar plans may be impacted by specific permits and state or local laws. You must get proper permits through your local building department and coordinate an inspection.
Not every house gets the same sun exposure. Local tree coverage, precipitation and extreme weather conditions can limit sunlight. If your home lacks adequate sunlight, you may need additional panels with increased wattage.
A solar battery allows the storage of extra power in solar panel systems. This is especially useful when you're trying to prevent power loss under cloudy skies. The extra battery storage could raise the overall installation cost.
Multiple solar panel varieties exist, each differing in design, life expectancy and efficiency. These factors affect pricing, the rate of panel replacement and the amount of roof space you'll need.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
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Our guide explores the best solar companies available. Trinity and Elevation top our list for their services, and Sunrun rounds it out with its leasing options.
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While you can save money installing DIY solar panels, it’s not a simple home improvement project and does require electrical know-how as well as roofing skills.
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