Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cascade, MI (2024 Update)
- Cascade Solar Installation Cost: $17,551
- 25-Year Savings: $13,792
- Payback Period: 12.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cascade
We break down average solar pricing in Cascade.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Cascade, the typical cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average Cascade homeowner needs a 6.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,551 with the federal tax credit, or $25,098 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To get a free quote from a top solar installation company in Cascade, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Cascade
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,297 |
| 3 years | $-13,790 |
| 5 years | $-11,282 |
| 7 years | $-8,775 |
| 9 years | $-6,268 |
| 11 years | $-3,760 |
| 13 years | $-1,253 |
| 15 years | $1,255 |
| 17 years | $3,762 |
| 19 years | $6,269 |
| 21 years | $8,777 |
| 23 years | $11,284 |
| 25 years | $13,792 |
Top Solar Installers in Cascade
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since installing solar panels on your own can be a labor-intensive endeavor. Local solar companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by assisting with any local incentives you can benefit from and by offering warranties and repairs.
If you’d like to go solar but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations 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
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 Cascade
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cascade
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Cascade: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant 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 consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $4,060 per kilowatt in Cascade.The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will significantly influence 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 looking into a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Cascade have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.Though solar loans make going solar more accessible for Cascade homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Cascade is the company you get to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.Additionally, some companies in Cascade are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you take advantage of additional rebates or tax exemptions. However, 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 | $15,939 | 13.2 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $21,706 | 12.9 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $27,701 | 12.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $33,923 | 12.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $40,373 | 12.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $47,050 | 11.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $53,954 | 11.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $61,086 | 11.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- 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 expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. Two 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 past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Even though there are many options for which kind of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of options before making your decision.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering 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 Cascade, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cascade?
The average cost of solar panels in Cascade 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 things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Cascade?
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 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 financial benefits from going solar.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Cascade?
The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can be compensated for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How long do solar panels last in Cascade?
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 larger 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.