Solar Panel Cost Guide in Columbia, MI (2024 Update)
- Columbia Solar Installation Cost: $17,403
- 25-Year Savings: $22,636
- Payback Period: 12.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Columbia
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Columbia.
The average cost of a solar system in Columbia is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Columbia is around 6.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,403 for a solar installation, or $24,886 before the 0 federal solar 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 needs, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the large initial cost, the average Columbia homeowner can save about $22,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To receive a free quote from a vetted solar installation company in Columbia, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Columbia
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,149 |
| 3 years | $-13,642 |
| 5 years | $-11,135 |
| 7 years | $-8,627 |
| 9 years | $-6,120 |
| 11 years | $-3,612 |
| 13 years | $-1,105 |
| 15 years | $1,402 |
| 17 years | $3,910 |
| 19 years | $6,417 |
| 21 years | $8,925 |
| 23 years | $11,432 |
| 25 years | $13,939 |
Top Solar Installers in Columbia
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners prefer to hire a solar installer since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. Companies can also provide access to a large variety of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be right for you.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on the cost of solar panels for your home. Here are some in Columbia:
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 Columbia
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Columbia
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in Columbia: 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
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with higher efficiency or power production 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 $4,060.The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
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 Columbia homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s vital to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of sustainable energy solutions in Columbia, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Columbia know more 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 | $16,247 | 13.0 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $22,118 | 12.8 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $28,216 | 12.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $34,541 | 12.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $41,094 | 12.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $47,874 | 11.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $54,881 | 11.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $62,116 | 11.3 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will influence not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Solar companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the project timeline.
- Warranty: Each company may offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Columbia, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Columbia?
The average cost of solar panels in Columbia is about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff 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 Columbia?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of 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 savings from going solar.
Does Columbia have a net metering program?
The majority of states offer net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future energy bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.