Best 8 Solar Companies in O'Fallon, MO

O'Fallon homeowners are increasingly using solar panels to produce their electricity and heat their water. While embracing solar power comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $810 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional technician can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. On this page, we'll show you O'Fallon's leading solar contractors and offer expert advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

We assessed dozens of O'Fallon solar companies, using the following criteria to choose the top-notch:

• Customer feedback and reviews: Most O'Fallon solar providers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
• Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and optimize its performance.
• Professional licensure and experience: Each company on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the O'Fallon community for a decade or longer.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The best solar companies remain current on new technology, offering equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar providers should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Lowered energy bills: With solar energy systems, you create power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-tied power. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant amount of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
• Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home powered through blackouts and emergencies. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery backup.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Using solar is a surefire way to reduce your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to O'Fallon Homeowners?

The state of Missouri offers a number of solar incentives to help offset your solar system costs. Check out a breakdown of applicable solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in O'Fallon

The more thorough your provider search is, the better your photovoltaic system will ultimately perform. Consider all of these criteria in your business search.

Licensing and Training

In Missouri, it's purely up to cities and counties 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 credentials. Two of the most recognized are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, granted 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 O'Fallon

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels provide a lower price point but produce less power. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

You can also add electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can increase your solar system's performance. Not every solar contractor includes these extras, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's a priority for you.

If you're a resident of O'Fallon and want a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $16,850 for materials and labor. See more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in O'Fallon

There are various ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will help you decrease overhead. A few of the most common options include cash payments, leases, loans, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most economical choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a home or auto loan, 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 use your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay only for the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and don't grant you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. Look for contractors that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your budget.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in O'Fallon.

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on your new solar panels, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Municipal authorities and utilities might also offer their own incentives, rebates, and financing programs that could save you more money.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy