Solar Panel Cost Guide in Brighton, MI (2023 Update)
- Brighton Solar Installation Cost: $12,176
- 25-Year Savings: $12,944
- Payback Period: 12.1 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Brighton
Let's have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Brighton.
In Brighton, solar panels cost about 2.81 per watt on average. The average Brighton homeowner needs a 6.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,176 with the federal tax credit, or $17,412 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and the cost of going solar for you will look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with. For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $15,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
To get a free quote from a highly rated solar installation company in Brighton, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Brighton
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,171 |
| 3 years | $-9,161 |
| 5 years | $-7,152 |
| 7 years | $-5,142 |
| 9 years | $-3,133 |
| 11 years | $-1,123 |
| 13 years | $887 |
| 15 years | $2,896 |
| 17 years | $4,906 |
| 19 years | $6,915 |
| 21 years | $8,925 |
| 23 years | $10,934 |
| 25 years | $12,944 |
Top Solar Installers in Brighton
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be challenging. Plus, if you aren't sure what kind of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar company can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
If you'd like to go solar but still aren't certain which solar company to go with, here are our suggestions for providers near you:
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 Brighton
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Brighton
The cost of installing a solar system in Brighton can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Brighton, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy usage, which you can figure out by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,810 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will greatly influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. 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 researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Brighton homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Brighton homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Brighton, you'll have many options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies undercut 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 vehicle 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 | $2.92 | $12,274 | $12,089 | 12.6 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $16,433 | 12.4 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $20,935 | 12.1 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $25,594 | 11.9 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $30,410 | 11.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $35,384 | 11.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $40,515 | 11.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $45,803 | 10.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you'd like to get plays a part in which installer you should opt for, since different companies provide different panels.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it's crucial to keep an open line of communication with your solar company. Make sure you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
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 Brighton, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Brighton?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, 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 additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Brighton?
You can't get solar panels for free in Brighton. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How much can I save on energy bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $812.09 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Brighton?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.