Solar Panel Cost Guide in Spring Arbor, MI (2024 Update)

  • Spring Arbor Solar Installation Cost: $17,403
  • 25-Year Savings: $22,336
  • Payback Period: 12.7 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Spring Arbor

See how much it might cost to install solar panels in Spring Arbor.

In Spring Arbor, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Spring Arbor, most homeowners require a 6.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,403, or $24,886 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

These figures are only estimates, and the cost of going solar for you will differ based on your energy needs and what company you choose to go with.With average savings of about $21,000 on utility bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Spring Arbor find installing solar panels can be quite rewarding.

To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Spring Arbor

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-16,149
3 years $-13,642
5 years $-11,135
7 years $-8,627
9 years $-6,120
11 years $-3,612
13 years $-1,105
15 years $1,402
17 years $3,910
19 years $6,417
21 years $8,925
23 years $11,432
25 years $13,939

Top Solar Installers in Spring Arbor

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners decide to hire a solar company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a difficult project. Another perk of working with a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your investment by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.

If you're searching for a solar installer in Spring Arbor, we've put together a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Spring Arbor

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Spring Arbor

While the average cost of a solar system in Spring Arbor is $17,403, your final cost may be higher or lower than that. There are many factors that can have a significant impact on the cost of a solar system 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 determines 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 brand and kind of equipment you choose for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a big investment. That’s why many Spring Arbor homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.It’s wise to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Spring Arbor is the company you choose to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Additionally, some companies in Spring Arbor have more knowledge about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could end up saving you more money in the long run.

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 $15,953 13.2 years
8 kW $4.14 $23,191 $21,725 12.9 years
10 kW $4.06 $28,420 $27,725 12.7 years
12 kW $3.98 $33,422 $33,952 12.4 years
14 kW $3.90 $38,196 $40,407 12.1 years
16 kW $3.82 $42,744 $47,089 11.9 years
18 kW $3.74 $47,064 $53,998 11.6 years
20 kW $3.65 $51,156 $61,134 11.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a large number of companies to choose from in Spring Arbor, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
  • Warranty: A comprehensive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
  • Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it’s essential to maintain an open line of communication with your solar installer. Confirm that you understand how the installation process will go and the project timeline.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you’d like to install plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Spring Arbor, MI Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Spring Arbor?

This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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 additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.

Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?

Cost is certainly one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,122.90 per year.

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 stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.

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