Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Clair, MI (2023 Update)
- St. Clair Solar Installation Cost: $16,921
- 25-Year Savings: $13,409
- Payback Period: 16.8 Years
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Updated October 25, 2023
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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 solar panels in St. Clair is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 6.0-kW system would cost about $16,921 before the 0 federal solar tax credit 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.With typical savings of about $16,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in St. Clair find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in St. Clair for a personalized quote.
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
Although it's possible to install solar panels on your own, it involves extra labor and handiness. That's why most people choose a solar panel installer. Also, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, using a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives.
Working with a licensed solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
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
There are many factors that can play into your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power generation require 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.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also affects the cost. In general, the brands that offer higher efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to install can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in St. Clair to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.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
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in St. Clair is the company you get to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.Some companies 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 decide on the company that provides the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also fit into 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 | $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
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Solar installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years most likely provide quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company in regard to how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar system is installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry various brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
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
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. Clair?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, 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. It will cost more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in St. Clair?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it often 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 tax rebates and credits and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Is it worth going solar in St. Clair?
Solar panels can be a good investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in St. Clair?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide 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.