Solar Panel Cost Guide in Pittsfield, MI (Mar 2023)
- Pittsfield Solar Installation Cost: $12,058
- 25-Year Savings: $13,062
- Payback Period: 12.0 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Pittsfield
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Pittsfield.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Pittsfield it's 2.81 per watt. To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Pittsfield, most homeowners require a 6.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $12,058, or $17,243 before the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
The true cost of your system can go higher or lower than the average in Pittsfield depending on several factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $16,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar company in your area for a customized quote.
Solar savings over time in Pittsfield
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,053 |
| 3 years | $-9,043 |
| 5 years | $-7,034 |
| 7 years | $-5,024 |
| 9 years | $-3,015 |
| 11 years | $-1,005 |
| 13 years | $1,005 |
| 15 years | $3,014 |
| 17 years | $5,024 |
| 19 years | $7,033 |
| 21 years | $9,043 |
| 23 years | $11,052 |
| 25 years | $13,062 |
Top Solar Installers in Pittsfield
Many homeowners choose to hire a solar installation company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. The expertise that solar companies offer can be helpful as well, especially if you don't quite know what type of solar equipment you need.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free estimate on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Pittsfield:
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 Pittsfield
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Pittsfield
For many Pittsfield homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Pittsfield, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that significantly influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $2,810. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — cost more upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Pittsfield, where sunlight isn't as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, 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
Most solar installers in Pittsfield have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar. When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of green energy solutions in Pittsfield, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment. Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional 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 | $12,316 | 12.5 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $16,737 | 12.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $21,314 | 12.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $26,049 | 11.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $30,941 | 11.5 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $35,991 | 11.3 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $41,198 | 11.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $46,562 | 10.8 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the kinds of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, such as:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable 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 positive reviews from previous customers.
- Contract: Read the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry different brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you're considering has it.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're aligned with the installer regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panel system is installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
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 Pittsfield, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Pittsfield?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly 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 consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is making the switch to solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher level of energy production.
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.