Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Johns, MI (2023 Update)
- St. Johns Solar Installation Cost: $12,153
- 25-Year Savings: $21,536
- Payback Period: 9.0 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St. Johns
Here's how much it might cost to switch to solar power in St. Johns.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in St. Johns it's 2.81 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 6.2-kW system would cost about $12,156 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can go above or below the average in St. Johns based on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. With typical savings of about $21,000 on power bills over 20 years, many homeowners in St. Johns find going solar can be quite rewarding.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar installer in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in St. Johns
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,899 |
| 3 years | $-8,392 |
| 5 years | $-5,884 |
| 7 years | $-3,377 |
| 9 years | $-870 |
| 11 years | $1,638 |
| 13 years | $4,145 |
| 15 years | $6,653 |
| 17 years | $9,160 |
| 19 years | $11,667 |
| 21 years | $14,175 |
| 23 years | $16,682 |
| 25 years | $19,190 |
Top Solar Installers in St. Johns
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be challenging. A solar installer can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by offering warranties, repairs and part replacements.
If you'd like to start using solar energy but still aren't sure which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers near you:
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. Johns
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Johns
There are several criteria that can determine your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that performs the installation.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the notable factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with 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 $2,810. There are many different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Generally, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. In addition, the type of equipment you're looking to install can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are available from most installers in St. Johns, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable. It's wise to factor 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 the amount of time it'll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The final major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of green energy solutions in St. Johns, you'll have a great number of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment. 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 with an above-average cost. It's best to do some research and choose a company that provides the products, warranties and services you want 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 | $2.92 | $12,274 | $20,442 | 9.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $27,570 | 9.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $34,856 | 9.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $42,300 | 8.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $49,900 | 8.7 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $57,658 | 8.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $65,574 | 8.3 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $73,647 | 8.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you choose will impact not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you have access to. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should keep in mind, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need to install plays a role in which installer you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
- Installation Process: Make sure you're on the same page with the company regarding how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating your electrical system or roof.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it's important to do it carefully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panel system running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
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. Johns, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. Johns?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $14,050 for a 5-kW system and $28,100 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in St. Johns?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or secure 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 financial benefits from going solar.
How much can I save on power bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,090.53 per year.
How long do solar panels last in St. Johns?
Although 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 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.