Solar Panel Cost Guide in Harrison, MI (2023 Update)
- Harrison Solar Installation Cost: $11,953
- 25-Year Savings: $13,167
- Payback Period: 11.9 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Harrison
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Harrison.
In Harrison, solar panels cost about 2.81 per watt on average. Using this figure, a typical 6.1-kW system would cost about $11,959 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Harrison homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor. For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Harrison see about $16,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar installer in Harrison, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Harrison
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,560 |
| 3 years | $-7,776 |
| 5 years | $-4,991 |
| 7 years | $-2,206 |
| 9 years | $578 |
| 11 years | $3,363 |
| 13 years | $6,148 |
| 15 years | $8,932 |
| 17 years | $11,717 |
| 19 years | $14,502 |
| 21 years | $17,286 |
| 23 years | $20,071 |
| 25 years | $22,856 |
Top Solar Installers in Harrison
Although it's possible to install solar panels by yourself, it takes extra time and know-how. That's one of the reasons almost all homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Plus, if you're unsure what brand of solar panels and equipment you may need, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. 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
See all of the solar companies in Harrison
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Harrison
There are several factors that can determine your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels 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 spend about $2,810 per kilowatt in Harrison. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you want to install 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 Harrison to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time due to interest. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you get to install your solar panel system can affect the cost. Harrison's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It's best to do some research and find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fits 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 | $12,529 | 12.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $17,020 | 12.1 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $21,668 | 11.9 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $26,474 | 11.7 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $31,437 | 11.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $36,557 | 11.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $41,835 | 10.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $47,270 | 10.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of 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 satisfied reviews from previous customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you'd like plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies offer different panels.
- Warranty: If you're worried about the durability of your solar system, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
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 Harrison, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Harrison?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $14,050 for a 5-kW system and $28,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?
Cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it's the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How much can I save on electricity bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $826.76 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although 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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.