Solar Panel Cost Guide in Montrose, MI (2024 Update)

  • Montrose Solar Installation Cost: $17,718
  • 25-Year Savings: $18,715
  • Payback Period: 14.3 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Montrose

We go over average solar pricing in Montrose.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Montrose it’s 4 per watt.The average Montrose homeowner needs a 6.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,718 with the federal tax credit, or $25,337 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Montrose homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar power is worth paying. On average Montrose homeowners see about $19,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.

To receive a free quote from a top solar company in Montrose, you can click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Montrose

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-16,464
3 years $-13,957
5 years $-11,449
7 years $-8,942
9 years $-6,434
11 years $-3,927
13 years $-1,420
15 years $1,088
17 years $3,595
19 years $6,103
21 years $8,610
23 years $11,117
25 years $13,625

Top Solar Installers in Montrose

When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to go with a solar installation company since installing solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Another perk of working with a solar company is that they can help you make the most of your investment by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.

If you're looking for a solar installer in Montrose, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Solar Veteran

Michigan Solar Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Montrose

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Montrose

For many Montrose homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Montrose, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $4,060. There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also affects the cost. In general, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also be more expensive. In addition, the type of equipment you’re looking 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

For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Montrose, which can reduce, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.While solar loans make adopting solar energy more accessible for Montrose homeowners, they can also increase 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

The final significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of green energy solutions in Montrose, you’ll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Some companies 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 at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that has 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 $4.22 $17,734 $12,080 14.9 years
8 kW $4.14 $23,191 $16,561 14.6 years
10 kW $4.06 $28,420 $21,270 14.3 years
12 kW $3.98 $33,422 $26,206 14.0 years
14 kW $3.90 $38,196 $31,370 13.7 years
16 kW $3.82 $42,744 $36,761 13.4 years
18 kW $3.74 $47,064 $42,379 13.2 years
20 kW $3.65 $51,156 $48,224 12.9 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel models and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
  • Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
  • Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different prices as well. The company you choose plays a role in which solar panel brands you have access to.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Solar Veteran

Michigan Solar Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Montrose, MI Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Montrose?

The average cost of solar panels in Montrose 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 stuff such as the type 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 Montrose?

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 can’t take advantage of 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 savings from going solar.

Is it worth going solar in Montrose?

Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.

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.

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