Solar Panel Cost Guide in South Haven, MI (2024 Update)
- South Haven Solar Installation Cost: $16,691
- 25-Year Savings: $21,870
- Payback Period: 12.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in South Haven
We go over average solar pricing in South Haven.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in South Haven typically cost around 4.The average solar panel system size in South Haven is around 5.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $16,691 for a solar installation, or $23,868 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.With typical savings of about $22,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in South Haven find going solar has a decent ROI.
To receive a free estimate from a highly rated solar installer in South Haven, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in South Haven
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,438 |
| 3 years | $-12,930 |
| 5 years | $-10,423 |
| 7 years | $-7,915 |
| 9 years | $-5,408 |
| 11 years | $-2,901 |
| 13 years | $-393 |
| 15 years | $2,114 |
| 17 years | $4,621 |
| 19 years | $7,129 |
| 21 years | $9,636 |
| 23 years | $12,144 |
| 25 years | $14,651 |
Top Solar Installers in South Haven
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners opt to use a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a time-consuming project. Another upside of using a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your ROI by lowering your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and helping you learn about local incentives you can take advantage of.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
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 South Haven
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in South Haven
While the average cost of a solar system in South Haven is $16,691, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are several factors that can have a sizable impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more crucial things to take into consideration.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.The brand and type of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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 can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in South Haven, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you choose to handle your switch to solar energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in South Haven, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies undercut 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 | $4.22 | $17,734 | $16,410 | 13.0 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $22,335 | 12.7 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $28,487 | 12.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $34,866 | 12.2 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $41,473 | 12.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $48,307 | 11.7 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $55,369 | 11.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $62,657 | 11.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies available in South Haven, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar system installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Warranty: A high-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: One of the most important things to understand when adopting solar energy 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 acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, durability and energy efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
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 South Haven, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in South Haven?
The average cost of solar panels in South Haven 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 like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in South Haven?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How many solar panels do I need 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 usually produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average household 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.