Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sault Ste. Marie, MI (2024 Update)
- Sault Ste. Marie Solar Installation Cost: $17,619
- 25-Year Savings: $16,216
- Payback Period: 15.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Sault Ste. Marie
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Sault Ste. Marie.
In Sault Ste. Marie, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Sault Ste. Marie is around 6.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,619 for a solar installation, or $25,195 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Sault Ste. Marie homeowners. The cost of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.For most homeowners, the upfront cost of solar is worth paying. On average Sault Ste. Marie homeowners see about $17,000 in savings on energy bills over 20 years.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Sault Ste. Marie
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,583 |
| 3 years | $-14,510 |
| 5 years | $-12,437 |
| 7 years | $-10,365 |
| 9 years | $-8,292 |
| 11 years | $-6,219 |
| 13 years | $-4,147 |
| 15 years | $-2,074 |
| 17 years | $-1 |
| 19 years | $2,071 |
| 21 years | $4,144 |
| 23 years | $6,217 |
| 25 years | $8,289 |
Top Solar Installers in Sault Ste. Marie
Installing solar panels by yourself can be a challenging task, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Another advantage of working with a solar installer is that they can help you maximize your ROI by cutting back on future costs of repairs and replacements with the help of warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:
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 Sault Ste. Marie
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sault Ste. Marie
The cost of installing a solar system in Sault Ste. Marie can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your power bills. In addition, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Sault Ste. Marie average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Sault Ste. Marie homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make going solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Finally, the company you choose to install your solar system can influence the cost. Sault Ste. Marie’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to 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 access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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 | $4.22 | $17,734 | $9,762 | 16.1 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $13,471 | 15.8 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $17,407 | 15.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $21,570 | 15.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $25,961 | 14.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $30,579 | 14.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $35,425 | 14.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $40,498 | 14.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- 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.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels based on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. While there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so be sure to peruse their list of options before deciding.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
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 Sault Ste. Marie, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Sault Ste. Marie?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Sault Ste. Marie?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your property value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Can solar panels eliminate my electricity bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout Sault Ste. Marie, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes 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 Sault Ste. Marie?
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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.