Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northview, MI (2023 Update)
- Northview Solar Installation Cost: $12,156
- 25-Year Savings: $23,148
- Payback Period: 8.6 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Northview
We break down average solar pricing in Northview.
In Northview, solar panels cost about 2.81 per watt on average. The average solar panel system size in Northview is around 6.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,156 for a solar installation, or $17,383 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Northview based on several factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is quite good, with a net average savings of about $22,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Northview
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,744 |
| 3 years | $-7,920 |
| 5 years | $-5,095 |
| 7 years | $-2,271 |
| 9 years | $553 |
| 11 years | $3,378 |
| 13 years | $6,202 |
| 15 years | $9,026 |
| 17 years | $11,851 |
| 19 years | $14,675 |
| 21 years | $17,500 |
| 23 years | $20,324 |
| 25 years | $23,148 |
Top Solar Installers in Northview
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since installing solar panels yourself can be challenging. Local solar companies can also help you maximize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can take advantage of and by providing warranties and repairs.
If you're looking for a solar installer in Northview, the EcoWatch team has put together 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 Northview
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northview
For many Northview homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy depends on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Northview, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that greatly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in Northview, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home's energy consumption, which you can figure out by looking at past energy bills. Your overall cost can increase by around $2,810 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Northview homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. It's a good idea to add 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 how long it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar system can affect how much you pay. Northview's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $22,027 | 8.9 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $29,683 | 8.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $37,498 | 8.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $45,469 | 8.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $53,598 | 8.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $61,885 | 8.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $70,328 | 7.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $78,929 | 7.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of companies available in Northview, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the total cost, project timeline rebates and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: The type of solar panel you need to get plays a part in which installer you should opt for, since different companies provide different panels.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Northview, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Northview?
This is a hard 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 additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Northview?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any incentives and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Is it worth going solar in Northview?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Northview?
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 replace them after having 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.