Kansas City Solar Panel Buying Guide
By Matthew Hickman
Solar panels have been available to consumers for decades now, but they are starting to experience a huge boom. Last year, solar panels made up 45% of new electricity-generating capacity in the U.S., and experts estimate that the solar industry will have an annual growth rate of 21%. Solar power is only growing more popular, and has no signs of slowing.
For those new to solar panels, the choices can feel overwhelming. That's why Weddle and Sons has created a Kansas City Solar Panel Buying Guide to help local homeowners and commercial properties understand what factors to consider when choosing solar panels, understanding how much power is needed for solar panels, and how to choose the best solar panel installers.
Choosing Solar Panels for Kansas City
When you are choosing solar panels for Kansas City, you'll find a lot of brands to choose from. However, something that will help narrow down choices is paying less attention to the brand and more attention to the kind of solar panels that are being sold. The three major types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline solar panels (often referred to as "mono" panels) are the highest quality solar panels out of the three. They have the best efficiency in converting solar power to electricity. They also tend to be the most expensive, since the manufacturing is challenging and intensive.
Monocrystalline solar panels are the preferred solar panel type of Weddle and Sons.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline solar panels have an easier manufacturing process, so their overall cost tends to be less than monocrystalline. However, since polycrystalline solar panels have lower efficiency in converting sunlight to electricity, the upfront lower cost isn't worth losing long-term efficiency for many customers.
Thin Film Solar Panels
The third major kind of solar panels are thin film panels. This style of solar panels is the cheapest, but also the least efficient in creating electricity. We discourage homeowners and business owners from using thin film solar panels, unless they're the only option. There are a few instances in which you may need them, like:
If you have a very unusual roof style
If you have an old, weak roof that can't support the weight of traditional panels
If you want to have solar panels on a mobile vehicle, like an RV.
Choose Durable, Weather Resistant Solar Panels for Kansas City
Regardless of the style of solar panels you choose, you need to make sure they are rated to resist weather that is common in Kansas City. This includes:
Rain
Snow/ice
Wind
Hail
Solar panels will come with a resistance rating for weather (similarly to how asphalt tiles come with ratings for certain kinds of weather). Make sure you choose solar panels that won't easily be damaged by common weather in Kansas City!
How Much Power Do I Need? 5kW vs 10kW Solar Panel Systems
Aside from the brand or style of solar panel, customers will need to consider what kilowatt output they want for their solar panel system. To put it another way, the more power you use at a time, the higher your output needs to be. For residential homes, the biggest power needs are large appliances, like:
AC/Heating units
Washers and dryers
Refrigerators
External buildings, like shops
The larger your home, the more your power needs are. For example, a 2500 sq ft home typically needs around 8kW - 12kW capacity. If you have a smaller home, you may be able to use a smaller, 5kW system. If you have a larger home, you may need 10kW or more.
High Kilowatt Systems Ideal for True Energy Independence
Many homeowners look to solar panels to be truly energy independent, meaning they don't want to rely on the electrical grid at all. If this is a goal of yours, then there are two things you need to consider having:
A solar power battery
A high kilowatt system
A solar power battery will store excess electricity you generate for when there's little to no sunlight available (like at night or extremely cloudy days). A high kilowatt system will allow you to output more electricity to power your home and charge your solar power battery.
Make Sure You Can Disconnect from the Grid
Depending on where you live, you may not be allowed to fully disconnect from the electrical grid. If this is a goal, make sure you understand the regulations regarding whether or not you can be disconnected from your local grid before investing in a high capacity system to be energy dependent.
A solar battery and a higher capacity system may still give you the independence you want, even if you have to remain connected to your local grid. However, we encourage you to take a look at applicable regulations before making purchasing decisions.
High Kilowatt Systems Ideal for Net Metering
Net metering refers to when homes produce more electricity than they use and sell the excess electricity back to the electric company. Some electric companies will actually pay homeowners to do this, while others will put a credit on the electric bill (so if the home needs to draw electricity from the power grid, they'll draw against the credit before they pay again).
Net metering is one of the key ways to have your solar panels "pay for themselves," and if net metering is a goal, then a high kilowatt system will be more ideal. It will allow you to output more electricity at a time, so you'll have enough energy to power your home and to bank against the electric company.
Make Sure Your Local Regulations Allow for Net Metering
Unfortunately, not everyone is able to take advantage of net metering. As we mentioned, you may only be able to bank credits against the electric company (instead of actually getting paid to sell your power back to the grid).
Some areas restrict the kilowatt capacity of your solar panels, which can make it difficult to produce enough energy to take advantage of net metering. For example, you can't install a system with capacity larger than 15kW in Kansas.
Of course, there are some areas that just don't allow net metering of any kind, so a higher capacity system may not make sense to invest in if your standard power needs are low.
How to Choose a Solar Panel Installer in Kansas City
When you have a decent idea of the kind of solar product you want, it makes it easier to choose a solar panel installer in the Kansas City area that may be a good fit. Keep in mind, you don't have to know the specific kind of solar product you want before contacting an installer, but it's good to have an idea of your needs. Here are some more factors to consider when choosing:
Solar Products Offered
Not all solar panel installers in Kansas City offer all solar products, and what products are offered may help you narrow your choices down for an installer. For example, if you're set on investing in monocrystalline panels, and a certain installer doesn't offer them, then you know that you'll need to look elsewhere for a better fit.
Another product option to consider are solar panel kits. These kits are ready for installation and don’t require customization or design planning. Many customers who have traditional roofs and straightforward energy needs may consider solar panel kits, especially because of the honest, upfront pricing they provide.
Depth of Experience
How long a solar panel installation company has been in business is an important factor to consider. Brand-new companies may still be figuring out the installation process or may have inexperienced installers that will be more prone to making mistakes or damaging your roof.
Are the Installers Roofers?
There are companies that only install solar panels, but roofing companies also often install solar panels as well (including Weddle and Sons). There are a number of benefits to choosing seasoned roofers to install your solar panels, including:
Installing on any roof, not just standard roofs
Navigating unexpected issues that arise during installation
Avoiding damage to the roof, especially improper penetration
Given the benefits a roofing company provides over dedicated solar panel installers, we encourage customers to choose roofers to install solar panels (even if they choose a roofing company besides Weddle and Sons).
Kansas City Solar Panels: The Weddle and Sons Advantage
Between solar panel brands, capacity, and concerns about proper installation, there's a lot to consider when thinking about getting solar panels installed in Kansas City. If you want the help of roofing experts, we'd love to answer your questions!
Weddle and Sons has been in business for more than 20 years, and not only do we have deep experience installing solar panels, we are leaders in cutting-edge technology. We were the nation's first Certified Tesla Solar Roof Installers, and we continue to consult with Tesla and to stay informed on the latest and greatest in solar technology.
You can fill out our contact form to get a hold of us, or you can call our office directly at 844-974-7663. We look forward to partnering with you to get you solar panels that are a great fit for your home.
Solar Panel FAQs
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There are a number of businesses that install solar panels in Kansas City. You'll find dedicated solar panel installers that offer access to a number of brands, brand-specific installers, and roofing companies that install solar panels.
Weddle and Sons is a roofing company that installs solar panels for residential and commercial use.
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There's a large cost range of solar panels in Kansas City, and there's a lot of factors that can impact the cost, including:
The style of solar panel you by (for example, monocrystalline vs polycrystalline)
How many solar panels you need
What kilowatt capacity is appropriate for your home or business
Who installs your solar panels
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For a typical 2500 sqft home, you can expect to need between 8kw and 12kw of solar production capacity. However, the capacity is tied specifically to your power needs, so consult with an expert (like Weddle and Sons) to determine your precise energy needs before making a major purchase.
Common items that require higher kilowatt capacity include:
Larger homes using higher amounts of power at once
AC/heating systems
Refrigerators
Washers and dryers
Older homes with less efficient power use
Additional buildings on the property, like a garage, powered shed, or shop
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Most large homes will be fine with a solar panel system with a capacity between 8kw and 12kw. If you're concerned about a specific appliance, or the number of appliances you run at once, an energy audit can help you determine the amount of power you typically use.
Weddle and Sons conducts energy audits for customers to make sure we have a clear understanding of power needs before a solar panel system is chosen and installed.
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The average cost of a 5kw solar panel system can be up to $20,000, though sometimes higher. Your home location, installer choice, and brand of solar panel will vary the cost of a 5kw system greatly.
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Some important qualities to consider when choosing a solar panel installer include:
Their location (it's a good idea to choose a company with a local presence)
Their product offering (if they don't install the kind of solar panel you want, you should choose another installer)
Their experience (it can be risky to choose a solar panel installer with little to no experience)
Their roofing background (roofers have more experience managing roofs, which can help them navigate installation issues and prevent avoidable damage).
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Tesla solar panels can cost around $20,000 (not including labor), but that price range will vary depending on what kilowatt system you receive and who installs the solar panels. Remember, this pricing does not include federal or state tax incentives
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The average cost of solar panels in Missouri has a huge range, since so many factors will determine the price of solar panels. In Missouri, those factors include:
The kilowatt system you choose (the higher the kilowatt capacity, the more expensive your system will be)
Whether you choose monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels (monocrystalline are more expensive but have better power efficiency)
Who you choose to install your panels
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Much like Missouri, the price of solar panels in Kansas will have a huge range. The most important factors that impact solar panel pricing is the kilowatt capacity you choose, the type of solar panel you buy, and the solar panel installer you choose.
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The key difference between solar panels and a Tesla Solar Roof are how the products attach to your home. Solar panels are installed on top of your existing roof, while a Tesla Solar Roof is the roof. If you have an existing roof, the traditional shingles will need to be removed to make way for the photovoltaic tiles of a solar roof.
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Once installation begins, installing solar panels typically takes 2-4 days. Keep in mind that this time frame does not include lead times, so once you've made contact with Weddle and Sons, there may be a wait period before we can begin installation.
