Solar Panel Cost Guide in Southfield, MI (2024 Update)
- Southfield Solar Installation Cost: $17,556
- 25-Year Savings: $12,969
- Payback Period: 17.5 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Southfield
We go over average solar pricing in Southfield.
In Southfield, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Southfield, most homeowners require a 6.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,556, or $25,105 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar energy system. The true cost of making the switch to solar can vary quite a bit based on several factors, such as what size system you need, your energy consumption and what solar installer you go with.Despite the high upfront cost, the average Southfield homeowner can save about $15,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
For a customized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Southfield
| 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 Southfield
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel company since installing solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, going with a solar installer can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on solar panel installation and sometimes even information on local incentives.
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 Southfield
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Southfield
For many Southfield homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Southfield, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are various factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can raise costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $4,060.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Southfield, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Southfield provide solar loans, which reduce the initial cost of installing solar panels.It’s a good idea to add 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 back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can impact how much it costs. Southfield’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Companies that only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also is within your budget.
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 lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company in regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar system is installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Warranty: A quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- 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 significant role in the company you hire.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
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 Southfield, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Southfield?
The average cost of solar panels in Southfield 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 things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a key 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 trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How will solar panels impact my property value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 opt 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.