Solar Panel Cost Guide in East China, MI (2023 Update)
- East China Solar Installation Cost: $11,711
- 25-Year Savings: $13,409
- Payback Period: 11.7 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in East China
We break down average solar pricing in East China.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in East China it's 2.81 per watt. The average East China homeowner needs a 6.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,704 with the federal tax credit, or $16,737 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and your own solar costs will vary based on your energy needs and what company you go with. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually rewarding, with a net average savings of about $16,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in your area for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in East China
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,628 |
| 3 years | $-11,460 |
| 5 years | $-11,293 |
| 7 years | $-11,125 |
| 9 years | $-10,958 |
| 11 years | $-10,790 |
| 13 years | $-10,623 |
| 15 years | $-10,455 |
| 17 years | $-10,288 |
| 19 years | $-10,120 |
| 21 years | $-9,953 |
| 23 years | $-9,786 |
| 25 years | $-9,618 |
Top Solar Installers in East China
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installer since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be time-consuming. The expertise that solar companies provide can be invaluable as well, particularly if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment you need.
If you're searching for a solar company in East China, the EcoWatch team has compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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 East China
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East China
The cost of installing a solar system in East China can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The largest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels 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 greater efficiency or power generation require 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. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. Usually, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you're looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in East China to be too expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest. When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining significant cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in East China, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $13,040 | 12.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $17,702 | 11.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $22,520 | 11.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $27,496 | 11.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $32,630 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $37,921 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $43,369 | 10.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $48,975 | 10.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will impact not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good 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 certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations 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 be sure to peruse their list of offerings before making your decision.
- Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
- Contract: It's important to read through 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.
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 East China, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in East China?
The average cost of solar panels in East China 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 stuff such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in East China?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable 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.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your home value remarkably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
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 the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had 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.