Solar Panel Cost Guide in St Joseph, MI (Mar 2023)
- St Joseph Solar Installation Cost: $11,645
- 25-Year Savings: $16,723
- Payback Period: 10.3 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in St Joseph
We go over average solar pricing in St Joseph.
In St Joseph, solar panels cost about 2.81 per watt on average. The average solar panel system size in St Joseph is around 5.9 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $11,645 for a solar installation, or $16,652 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in St Joseph depending on several factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire. Even with the high initial cost, the average St Joseph homeowner can save around $18,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in St Joseph that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in St Joseph
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,510 |
| 3 years | $-8,241 |
| 5 years | $-5,971 |
| 7 years | $-3,702 |
| 9 years | $-1,432 |
| 11 years | $837 |
| 13 years | $3,106 |
| 15 years | $5,376 |
| 17 years | $7,645 |
| 19 years | $9,915 |
| 21 years | $12,184 |
| 23 years | $14,453 |
| 25 years | $16,723 |
Top Solar Installers in St Joseph
Trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be a stressful project, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you'd like to maximize your investment in solar, using a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
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 in St Joseph:
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 Joseph
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St Joseph
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that determine your overall cost in St Joseph: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend around $2,810 per kilowatt in St Joseph. The brand and type 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 more savings over time. Plus, if you want extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in St Joseph, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible. However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it's important to consider that as well. You can always reduce the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in St Joseph is the company you choose to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
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 | $16,457 | 10.7 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $22,258 | 10.5 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $28,216 | 10.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $34,331 | 10.1 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $40,603 | 9.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $47,033 | 9.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $53,621 | 9.4 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $60,365 | 9.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you choose will influence not only your total costs, but also the kinds 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:
- 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.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you go with.
- Contract: It's important to look over your solar installer's contract thoroughly 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 Joseph, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St Joseph?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly 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 cost more if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in St Joseph?
You can't get solar panels for free in St Joseph. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you'd rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in St Joseph?
Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states let you sell power back to the grid, but others just give you credit toward your future energy bills.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home requires and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.