Solar Panel Cost Guide in Buena Vista, MI (2024 Update)
- Buena Vista Solar Installation Cost: $17,618
- 25-Year Savings: $21,068
- Payback Period: 13.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Buena Vista
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Buena Vista.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Buena Vista, the average cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Buena Vista, most homeowners require a 6.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,618, or $25,194 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Buena Vista can save about $20,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Buena Vista
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,364 |
| 3 years | $-13,856 |
| 5 years | $-11,349 |
| 7 years | $-8,842 |
| 9 years | $-6,334 |
| 11 years | $-3,827 |
| 13 years | $-1,319 |
| 15 years | $1,188 |
| 17 years | $3,695 |
| 19 years | $6,203 |
| 21 years | $8,710 |
| 23 years | $11,217 |
| 25 years | $13,725 |
Top Solar Installers in Buena Vista
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be challenging. Plus, if you’re unsure what type of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar installer can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a vetted solar installer can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
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
Outstanding Local Installer
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Buena Vista
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Buena Vista
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Buena Vista: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll cover each of these briefly below.
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, your total will most likely increase by nearly $4,060. The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is too expensive, solar loans are an affordable option because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.When estimating your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Buena Vista is the company you choose to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Additionally, some companies in Buena Vista have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you learn about additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for that service. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.
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 | $14,459 | 13.8 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $19,734 | 13.5 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $25,236 | 13.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $30,965 | 13.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $36,921 | 12.7 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $43,105 | 12.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $49,517 | 12.2 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $56,155 | 11.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies to choose from in Buena Vista, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies have various brands and types of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar installer you’re considering has it.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
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
Outstanding Local Installer
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Buena Vista, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Buena Vista?
The average cost of solar panels in Buena Vista is about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on certain factors 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 Buena Vista?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you don’t have access to many solar incentives. Also your home 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 financial benefits from going solar.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for many 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?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.