Solar Panel Cost Guide in Royal Oak, MI (2024 Update)
- Royal Oak Solar Installation Cost: $17,556
- 25-Year Savings: $12,969
- Payback Period: 17.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Royal Oak
We go over average solar pricing in Royal Oak.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Royal Oak typically cost about 4.The average solar panel system size in Royal Oak is around 6.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,556 for a solar installation, or $25,105 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are only estimates, and your own solar costs may differ based on your energy needs and what company you want to go with.With average savings of about $15,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Royal Oak find going solar can be quite rewarding.
To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Royal Oak
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,163 |
| 3 years | $-13,379 |
| 5 years | $-10,594 |
| 7 years | $-7,809 |
| 9 years | $-5,025 |
| 11 years | $-2,240 |
| 13 years | $545 |
| 15 years | $3,329 |
| 17 years | $6,114 |
| 19 years | $8,899 |
| 21 years | $11,683 |
| 23 years | $14,468 |
| 25 years | $17,253 |
Top Solar Installers in Royal Oak
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to install solar panels on your own can be time-consuming. Local solar companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives and by offering warranties and repairs.
Working with a professional solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. 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
Outstanding Local Installer
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Royal Oak
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Royal Oak
The cost of installing a solar system in Royal Oak can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar energy system in Royal Oak, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by around $4,060 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will largely affect costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to cost more. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking into a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Royal Oak homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.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 how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to renewable energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Royal Oak, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies typically have lower costs, but some local companies keep up with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric car 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 | $4.22 | $17,734 | $6,665 | 18.2 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $9,341 | 17.8 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $12,245 | 17.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $15,376 | 17.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $18,734 | 16.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $22,320 | 16.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $26,133 | 16.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $30,174 | 15.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a large number of companies available in Royal Oak, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different types of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the installation process.
- Installation Process: When going solar, it’s crucial to keep an open line of communication with your solar installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry different brands and types of panels. If you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
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
Outstanding Local Installer
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Royal Oak, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Royal Oak?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration 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 cities where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase your home value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."
How many solar panels should I get to power 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 house 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.