Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bedford, MI (Mar 2023)
- Bedford Solar Installation Cost: $11,822
- 25-Year Savings: $18,831
- Payback Period: 9.6 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bedford
We break down average solar pricing in Bedford.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Bedford it's 2.81 per watt. To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in Bedford, most homeowners require a 6.0-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,822, or $16,905 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Bedford based on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is usually fruitful, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bedford
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,596 |
| 3 years | $-8,143 |
| 5 years | $-5,691 |
| 7 years | $-3,239 |
| 9 years | $-787 |
| 11 years | $1,665 |
| 13 years | $4,118 |
| 15 years | $6,570 |
| 17 years | $9,022 |
| 19 years | $11,474 |
| 21 years | $13,926 |
| 23 years | $16,379 |
| 25 years | $18,831 |
Top Solar Installers in Bedford
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since installing solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. The payback period on an investment in solar panels will vary depending on factors like your roof configuration and energy use, but going with a solar company can help you reach a break-even point sooner. Your provider will be able to help you get the most out of incentives available in your area.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Solar Veteran
Michigan Solar Solutions
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Outstanding Local Installer
Strawberry Solar
- 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 Bedford
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bedford
There are several criteria that can affect your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of going solar is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,810 per kilowatt in Bedford. The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will considerably affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that's in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a solid choice because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. Though solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Bedford homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Bedford, you'll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. You may see national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.92 | $12,274 | $18,344 | 10.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $24,774 | 9.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $31,361 | 9.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $38,105 | 9.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $45,007 | 9.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $52,066 | 9.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $59,282 | 8.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $66,656 | 8.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you find the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose has an impact on which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one indication of a good company.
- Contract: Though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and the terms of the warranty.
Solar Veteran
Michigan Solar Solutions
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Outstanding Local Installer
Strawberry Solar
- 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 Bedford, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Bedford?
The average cost of solar panels in Bedford is about $14,050 for a 5-kW system and $28,100 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.
Are solar panels free in Bedford?
A solar panel system isn't free in Bedford, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house 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.