Solar Panel Cost Guide in Bellevue, MI (2023 Update)
- Bellevue Solar Installation Cost: $12,140
- 25-Year Savings: $21,549
- Payback Period: 9.0 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Bellevue
See how much it might cost to go solar in Bellevue.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Bellevue is 2.81 per watt. The average Bellevue homeowner needs a 6.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,136 with the federal tax credit, or $17,354 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more. Even with the large upfront cost, the average Bellevue homeowner can save about $21,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Bellevue
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,886 |
| 3 years | $-8,378 |
| 5 years | $-5,871 |
| 7 years | $-3,364 |
| 9 years | $-856 |
| 11 years | $1,651 |
| 13 years | $4,158 |
| 15 years | $6,666 |
| 17 years | $9,173 |
| 19 years | $11,681 |
| 21 years | $14,188 |
| 23 years | $16,695 |
| 25 years | $19,203 |
Top Solar Installers in Bellevue
Many homeowners opt for a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels yourself can be time-consuming. The expertise that solar installers offer can be helpful as well, especially if you aren't sure what type of solar equipment you need.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar panels. 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 Bellevue
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Bellevue
There are several factors 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 performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $2,810. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Bellevue, where sunlight isn't as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Bellevue to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you choose will influence your total cost to go solar. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. You may notice national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $20,477 | 9.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $27,618 | 9.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $34,916 | 9.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $42,371 | 8.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $49,983 | 8.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $57,753 | 8.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $65,681 | 8.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $73,765 | 8.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand how much it will cost, completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're on the same page with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry various brands and kinds of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you're considering has it.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
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 Bellevue, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Bellevue?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $14,050 for a 5-kW system and $28,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Bellevue?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you can't take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
How will having solar panels impact how much my home is worth?
Buying or financing solar panels for your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Bellevue is currently $140,730, so you could be looking at a value of about $5,770 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Bellevue is a worthwhile investment.
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 usually 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.