Solar Panel Cost Guide in Gladstone, MI (2023 Update)
- Gladstone Solar Installation Cost: $11,721
- 25-Year Savings: $31,272
- Payback Period: 6.8 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Gladstone
See how much it might cost to go solar in Gladstone.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Gladstone it's 2.81 per watt. The average Gladstone homeowner needs a 6.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,723 with the federal tax credit, or $16,764 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
These figures are just estimates, and your own solar costs may look different based on your specific situation and what company you go with. But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $27,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar installer in Gladstone that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Gladstone
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,926 |
| 3 years | $-6,337 |
| 5 years | $-2,747 |
| 7 years | $842 |
| 9 years | $4,432 |
| 11 years | $8,021 |
| 13 years | $11,611 |
| 15 years | $15,200 |
| 17 years | $18,789 |
| 19 years | $22,379 |
| 21 years | $25,968 |
| 23 years | $29,558 |
| 25 years | $33,147 |
Top Solar Installers in Gladstone
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar panel company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Another perk of going with a solar installer is that they can help you optimize your ROI by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you'd like to start using solar energy but still aren't sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our suggestions 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
See all of the solar companies in Gladstone
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Gladstone
For many Gladstone homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Gladstone, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a few factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it's a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Gladstone, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or limited space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Gladstone, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installation company you select will impact your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor. Companies that only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It's best to do some research and find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also is within your budget.
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 | $31,017 | 7.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $41,670 | 7.0 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $52,482 | 6.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $63,450 | 6.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $74,576 | 6.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $85,859 | 6.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $97,299 | 6.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $108,897 | 6.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies to choose from in Gladstone, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years most likely provide good-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of offerings before making your decision.
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 Gladstone, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Gladstone?
The average cost of solar panels in Gladstone 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 like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your property's value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don't choose 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 many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.