Solar Panel Cost Guide in Brownstown, MI (2023 Update)
- Brownstown Solar Installation Cost: $12,028
- 25-Year Savings: $13,779
- Payback Period: 11.7 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Brownstown
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Brownstown.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Brownstown it's 2.81 per watt. Since a 6.1-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Brownstown, the average price of going solar will be about $12,038 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
These figures are just estimates, and how much solar costs for you will most likely vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with. Many homeowners find installing solar panels is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Brownstown can save around $16,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Brownstown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,942 |
| 3 years | $-11,770 |
| 5 years | $-11,598 |
| 7 years | $-11,426 |
| 9 years | $-11,254 |
| 11 years | $-11,082 |
| 13 years | $-10,910 |
| 15 years | $-10,738 |
| 17 years | $-10,566 |
| 19 years | $-10,394 |
| 21 years | $-10,222 |
| 23 years | $-10,050 |
| 25 years | $-9,878 |
Top Solar Installers in Brownstown
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it involves extra labor and know-how. That's one of the reasons the majority of homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar companies provide can be helpful as well, especially if you don't quite know what type of solar equipment you need.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. 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 Brownstown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Brownstown
The cost of installing a solar system in Brownstown 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 your household needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the main factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with higher efficiency or power generation use better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $2,810. The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will considerably affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to consider 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 time, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Brownstown homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. It's a good idea to include the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of renewable energy solutions in Brownstown, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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 | $13,048 | 12.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $17,712 | 11.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $22,533 | 11.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $27,512 | 11.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $32,648 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $37,941 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $43,392 | 10.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $49,000 | 10.5 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 decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
- Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 Brownstown, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Brownstown?
The average cost of solar panels in Brownstown 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 use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Brownstown?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to 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.
Is it worth going solar in Brownstown?
Solar panels can be a great investment for lots of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
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 stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt 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.