Solar Panel Cost Guide in Prairieville, MI (2024 Update)
- Prairieville Solar Installation Cost: $17,425
- 25-Year Savings: $22,444
- Payback Period: 12.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Prairieville
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Prairieville.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Prairieville it’s 4 per watt.The average Prairieville homeowner needs a 6.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $17,425 with the federal tax credit, or $24,918 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Prairieville homeowner. The cost 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 is worth paying. On average homeowners in Prairieville see about $21,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in Prairieville for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in Prairieville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,171 |
| 3 years | $-13,664 |
| 5 years | $-11,156 |
| 7 years | $-8,649 |
| 9 years | $-6,141 |
| 11 years | $-3,634 |
| 13 years | $-1,127 |
| 15 years | $1,381 |
| 17 years | $3,888 |
| 19 years | $6,396 |
| 21 years | $8,903 |
| 23 years | $11,410 |
| 25 years | $13,918 |
Top Solar Installers in Prairieville
Trying to put up solar panels on your own can be a challenging undertaking, which is why getting a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. The expertise that solar installers provide can be valuable as well, especially if you aren’t sure what brand of solar equipment would be right for your home.
If you're looking for a solar company in Prairieville, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Prairieville
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Prairieville
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that affect your total cost in Prairieville: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $4,060 per kilowatt in Prairieville.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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Prairieville to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar system can play a role in determining how much it costs. Prairieville’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their bigger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those major players.
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 | $16,032 | 13.1 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $21,831 | 12.9 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $27,857 | 12.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $34,111 | 12.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $40,591 | 12.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $47,300 | 11.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $54,235 | 11.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $61,398 | 11.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the brand of solar panels and the installation company you choose considerably influences your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which model of solar panel you can get, not every company will have the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you ask for their list of offerings before deciding.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Prairieville, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Prairieville?
The average cost of solar panels in Prairieville 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 model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
What other factors should I consider apart 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 areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can be more important than the cost. Other factors that are important to think about are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Prairieville is currently $277,549, which means you can look forward to a value of about $11,380 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Prairieville is a fruitful investment.
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 uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home 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.