Solar Panel Cost Guide in Prairieville, MI (2023 Update)
- Prairieville Solar Installation Cost: $12,058
- 25-Year Savings: $22,447
- Payback Period: 8.7 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Prairieville
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in Prairieville.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Prairieville generally cost around 2.81. The average solar panel system size in Prairieville is around 6.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $12,058 for a solar installation, or $17,243 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and your own solar costs will vary based on your energy needs and what company you choose to go with. But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on power bills.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Prairieville
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,678 |
| 3 years | $-7,917 |
| 5 years | $-5,157 |
| 7 years | $-2,396 |
| 9 years | $364 |
| 11 years | $3,124 |
| 13 years | $5,885 |
| 15 years | $8,645 |
| 17 years | $11,405 |
| 19 years | $14,166 |
| 21 years | $16,926 |
| 23 years | $19,686 |
| 25 years | $22,447 |
Top Solar Installers in Prairieville
Many homeowners decide to use a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be hard. The payback period on an investment in solar panels will vary depending on factors like your roof configuration and energy needs, but working with a solar company can shorten it. Your provider will be able to help you identify incentives available in your area.
Working with a professional solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
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
The cost of installing a solar system in Prairieville can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant 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 uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $2,810 per kilowatt in Prairieville. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that are more efficient tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you want to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is difficult, solar loans are a solid option because they reduce your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your all-in costs, so it's vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panel system can affect how much it costs. Prairieville's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company's size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to greater resources and bulk 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 lower to compete with bigger names.
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 | $21,492 | 9.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $28,971 | 8.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $36,607 | 8.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $44,401 | 8.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $52,351 | 8.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $60,460 | 8.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $68,725 | 8.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $77,148 | 7.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have demonstrated 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 positive reviews from past customers.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you go with.
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
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Prairieville?
The average cost of solar panels in Prairieville is about $14,050 for a 5-kW system and $28,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important thing to consider 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.
Can solar panels eliminate my power bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Prairieville, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have roofs that can accommodate that size system, so you'll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How long do solar panels last in Prairieville?
Even 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 decide to replace them once you've had 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.