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

  • Nelson Solar Installation Cost: $17,551
  • 25-Year Savings: $22,357
  • Payback Period: 12.7 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 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 Nelson

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Nelson.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Nelson generally cost about 4.The average Nelson homeowner needs a 6.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,551 with the federal tax credit, or $25,098 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of solar panels. The exact cost of installing solar panels can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what solar installer you go with.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average homeowners in Nelson see about $21,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.

For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Nelson

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-16,297
3 years$-13,790
5 years$-11,282
7 years$-8,775
9 years$-6,268
11 years$-3,760
13 years$-1,253
15 years$1,255
17 years$3,762
19 years$6,269
21 years$8,777
23 years$11,284
25 years$13,792

Top Solar Installers in Nelson

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to use a solar installer since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Also, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, going with a solar installer can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives, rebates and net metering programs.

If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:

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

Outstanding Local Installer

The Green Panel

★★★★★
4.5
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Excellent reputation
  • Great warranty coverage
  • No leases or PPAs

See all of the solar companies in Nelson

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Nelson

For many Nelson homeowners, the decision to install solar panels depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Nelson, 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

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 energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $4,060 per kilowatt in Nelson.The kind of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will considerably impact costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Plus, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when searching for a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are an affordable option because they reduce your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.It’s a good idea to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panels can impact how much you pay. Nelson’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size sometimes plays the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to more 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 down to compete with bigger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$4.22$17,734$15,78913.2 years
8 kW$4.14$23,191$21,50713.0 years
10 kW$4.06$28,420$27,45212.7 years
12 kW$3.98$33,422$33,62512.5 years
14 kW$3.90$38,196$40,02512.2 years
16 kW$3.82$42,744$46,65212.0 years
18 kW$3.74$47,064$53,50711.7 years
20 kW$3.65$51,156$60,58911.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar installer you go with will impact not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should consider, 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 satisfied reviews from past customers.
  • Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about your solar system’s energy production.
  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
  • Warranty: If you care about the longevity of your solar energy system, verifying that your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.

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

Outstanding Local Installer

The Green Panel

★★★★★
4.5
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Excellent reputation
  • Great warranty coverage
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Nelson, MI Solar Cost FAQs

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

The average cost of solar panels in Nelson 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 such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

What other factors should I consider aside from cost when buying solar panels?

The upfront 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 places where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Nelson?

Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either receive compensation for the extra power your system produces 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.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household 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.