Solar Panel Cost Guide in Kansas City, MO (2024 Update)
- Kansas City Solar Installation Cost: $17,073
- 25-Year Savings: $24,425
- Payback Period: 11.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Kansas City
We break down average solar pricing in Kansas City.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Kansas City it’s 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Kansas City, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,073, or $24,414 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Kansas City homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.With typical savings of about $20,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Kansas City find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Kansas City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,436 |
| 3 years | $-12,161 |
| 5 years | $-8,886 |
| 7 years | $-5,611 |
| 9 years | $-2,336 |
| 11 years | $939 |
| 13 years | $4,214 |
| 15 years | $7,489 |
| 17 years | $10,763 |
| 19 years | $14,038 |
| 21 years | $17,313 |
| 23 years | $20,588 |
| 25 years | $23,863 |
Top Solar Installers in Kansas City
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since installing solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, going with a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Kansas City, we've organized a list of our top suggestions here:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Kansas City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Kansas City
The cost of installing a solar system in Kansas City can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Kansas City provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can impact how much it costs. Kansas City’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle 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 | $16,407 | 11.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.44 | $19,249 | $22,253 | 11.6 years |
| 10 kW | $3.37 | $23,590 | $28,288 | 11.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.30 | $27,742 | $34,512 | 11.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.24 | $31,705 | $40,924 | 10.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.17 | $35,479 | $47,525 | 10.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.10 | $39,065 | $54,315 | 10.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.03 | $42,462 | $61,294 | 10.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installation company you choose significantly influences your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Warranty: If you’re worried about the durability of your solar energy system, checking if your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Installation Process: One of the most important things to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies 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.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Kansas City, MO Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Kansas City?
The average cost of solar panels in Kansas City is about $16,850 for a 5-kW system and $33,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important thing to consider when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important 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 consider are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is it worth going solar in Kansas City?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can usually 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.