Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Clair, MI (2025 Update)
- St. Clair Solar Installation Cost: $16,921
- 25-Year Savings: $13,409
- Payback Period: 16.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Clair
Find out what the average cost of a solar system is in St. Clair.
The average cost of a solar system in St. Clair is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in St. Clair, most homeowners require a 6.0-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $16,921, or $24,197 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average St. Clair homeowner. The cost of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in St. Clair can save around $16,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in St. Clair
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,529 |
| 3 years | $-12,744 |
| 5 years | $-9,959 |
| 7 years | $-7,175 |
| 9 years | $-4,390 |
| 11 years | $-1,605 |
| 13 years | $1,179 |
| 15 years | $3,964 |
| 17 years | $6,749 |
| 19 years | $9,533 |
| 21 years | $12,318 |
| 23 years | $15,103 |
| 25 years | $17,887 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Clair
Many homeowners opt for a solar panel installer since trying to install solar panels on your own can be a lot of work. Some solar companies, especially local ones, can help you make the most of incentives in St. Clair, therefore optimizing your ROI.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
See all of the solar companies in St. Clair
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Clair
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in St. Clair: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s important to accurately ascertain 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 get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price 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 raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are a popular option because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for St. Clair homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. 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 final major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of green energy solutions in St. Clair, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of access to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $7,580 | 17.5 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $10,562 | 17.2 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $13,770 | 16.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $17,206 | 16.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $20,870 | 16.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $24,761 | 15.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $28,879 | 15.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $33,225 | 15.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many companies available in St. Clair, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Choosing the right company for you can be difficult, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have proven expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- 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.
- 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 company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers have 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.
EcoWatch's St. Clair, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in St. Clair?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in St. Clair?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t pay upfront or get a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in St. Clair?
Solar panels can be a great investment for many homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 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 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.