Solar Panel Cost Guide in St Clair, MI (2023 Update)
- St Clair Solar Installation Cost: $11,704
- 25-Year Savings: $13,416
- Payback Period: 11.7 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St Clair
Let's take a look at the average cost of solar panels in St Clair.
The average cost of solar panels in St Clair is 2.81 per watt. The average St Clair homeowner needs a 6.0-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,704 with the federal tax credit, or $16,737 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average St Clair homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Many homeowners find going solar is a fruitful investment. The average homeowner in St Clair can save about $16,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To receive a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installation company in St Clair, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St Clair
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,699 |
| 3 years | $-8,689 |
| 5 years | $-6,680 |
| 7 years | $-4,670 |
| 9 years | $-2,661 |
| 11 years | $-651 |
| 13 years | $1,359 |
| 15 years | $3,368 |
| 17 years | $5,378 |
| 19 years | $7,387 |
| 21 years | $9,397 |
| 23 years | $11,407 |
| 25 years | $13,416 |
Top Solar Installers in St Clair
Trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a dangerous project, which is why using a solar installation company is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you aren't sure what kind of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar expert can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
If you're searching for a solar company in St Clair, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:
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 St Clair
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St Clair
While the average cost of a solar system in St Clair is $11,704, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that. There are quite a few factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important 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. Because of that, it's important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs. The type of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will largely influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Further, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to think about 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 for a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in St Clair to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest. Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for St Clair homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in St Clair, you'll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment. Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — 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 go with the company that has the products, warranties and services you're looking for 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 | $2.92 | $12,274 | $13,040 | 12.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $17,702 | 11.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $22,520 | 11.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $27,496 | 11.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $32,630 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $37,921 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $43,369 | 10.7 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $48,975 | 10.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your overall costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are several important things you should keep in mind, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which model 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 offerings before making your decision.
- Installation Process: When making the switch to solar power, it's crucial to maintain an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process works and the project completion timeline.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been operating for many years in most cases provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the project timeline.
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 St Clair, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St Clair?
The average cost of solar panels in St Clair is about $14,050 for a 5-kW system and $28,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important thing to think about when buying solar panels?
Cost is without a doubt one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is it worth going solar in St Clair?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.