Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bay City, MI (2024 Update)

  • Bay City Solar Installation Cost: $17,495
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,131
  • Payback Period: 13.6 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bay City

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Bay City.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Bay City it’s 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 6.2-kW system would cost about $17,495 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

The true price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Bay City depending on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Despite the high upfront cost, the average Bay City homeowner can save around $20,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.

To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Bay City

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-16,295
3 years $-13,894
5 years $-11,494
7 years $-9,093
9 years $-6,693
11 years $-4,292
13 years $-1,892
15 years $509
17 years $2,909
19 years $5,310
21 years $7,710
23 years $10,111
25 years $12,511

Top Solar Installers in Bay City

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be challenging. Also, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar energy, using a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives.

You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Solar Veteran

Michigan Solar Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Outstanding customer service
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Educational, no-pressure sales approach
  • Limited warranty coverage
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Limited brands of solar equipment available

See all of the solar companies in Bay City

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bay City

Although the average cost of a solar system in Bay City is $17,495, your actual cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a residential solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to take into consideration.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $4,060 per kilowatt in Bay City.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Moreover, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a popular choice because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.It’s a good idea to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Bay City is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you’ll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric car 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 $4.22 $17,734 $13,690 14.1 years
8 kW $4.14 $23,191 $18,707 13.8 years
10 kW $4.06 $28,420 $23,953 13.6 years
12 kW $3.98 $33,422 $29,425 13.3 years
14 kW $3.90 $38,196 $35,125 13.0 years
16 kW $3.82 $42,744 $41,053 12.8 years
18 kW $3.74 $47,064 $47,207 12.5 years
20 kW $3.65 $51,156 $53,589 12.2 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar company you go with will affect not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should keep in mind, such as:

  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
  • Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the overall cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type offers varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
  • Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Solar Veteran

Michigan Solar Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Outstanding customer service
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Educational, no-pressure sales approach
  • Limited warranty coverage
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Limited brands of solar equipment available

EcoWatch's Bay City, MI Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Bay City?

The average cost of solar panels in Bay City is about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in Bay City?

Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it usually comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to get the most savings.

Can solar panels eliminate my energy bills?

It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Bay City, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.

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.

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