Solar Panel Cost Guide in Swartz Creek, MI (2023 Update)
- Swartz Creek Solar Installation Cost: $12,254
- 25-Year Savings: $23,050
- Payback Period: 8.7 Years
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Updated May 04, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Swartz Creek
We go over average solar pricing in Swartz Creek.
In Swartz Creek, solar panels cost about 2.81 per watt on average. The average Swartz Creek homeowner needs a 6.2-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,254 with the federal tax credit, or $17,523 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you want, your solar contractor and more. Many homeowners find going solar is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Swartz Creek can save around $22,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar company in your area for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Swartz Creek
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,842 |
| 3 years | $-8,018 |
| 5 years | $-5,194 |
| 7 years | $-2,369 |
| 9 years | $455 |
| 11 years | $3,279 |
| 13 years | $6,104 |
| 15 years | $8,928 |
| 17 years | $11,752 |
| 19 years | $14,577 |
| 21 years | $17,401 |
| 23 years | $20,226 |
| 25 years | $23,050 |
Top Solar Installers in Swartz Creek
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it requires extra labor and expertise. That's one of the reasons most homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. Companies can also provide access to quality options of the best solar panels and help you decide which one will be best for your home.
There are various licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
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 Swartz Creek
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Swartz Creek
There are several criteria that can determine your solar system 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
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of installing solar panels. For that reason, it's crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical 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 limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect 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 increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That's why many Swartz Creek homeowners choose to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it's vital to consider that as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Swartz Creek is the company you hire to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, there's no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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 | $21,704 | 9.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $29,253 | 8.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $36,960 | 8.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $44,824 | 8.5 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $52,845 | 8.3 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $61,024 | 8.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $69,360 | 8.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $77,853 | 7.8 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 picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and energy needs. Although there are many options for which brand of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of offerings before deciding.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound 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 positive reviews from past customers.
- Contract: When reading over your solar company's contract, ask questions about any terms you're not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like 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 Swartz Creek, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Swartz Creek?
This is a difficult 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 extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Swartz Creek?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to 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 property 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.
Can solar panels significantly reduce my energy bills?
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 $1,132.59 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Swartz Creek?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level 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.