Solar Panel Cost Guide in Thornapple, MI (Feb 2023)
- Thornapple Solar Installation Cost: $12,058
- 25-Year Savings: $22,447
- Payback Period: 8.7 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Thornapple
We break down average solar pricing in Thornapple.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Thornapple typically cost about $3. The average Thornapple homeowner needs a 6.1-kilowatt system, which would cost about $12,058, or $8,923 after the federal solar tax credit of 30% is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more. Despite the large initial cost, the average Thornapple homeowner can save about $21,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
To receive a free quote from a pre-vetted solar installation company in Thornapple, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Thornapple
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,678 |
| 3 years | $-7,917 |
| 5 years | $-5,157 |
| 7 years | $-2,396 |
| 9 years | $364 |
| 11 years | $3,124 |
| 13 years | $5,885 |
| 15 years | $8,645 |
| 17 years | $11,405 |
| 19 years | $14,166 |
| 21 years | $16,926 |
| 23 years | $19,686 |
| 25 years | $22,447 |
Top Solar Installers in Thornapple
Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be hard. Local solar companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can benefit from and by providing warranties and repairs.
There are several 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 Thornapple
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Thornapple
There are several criteria that can affect your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.
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. Because of that, it's a priority to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use. The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Thornapple average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a popular choice because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Thornapple is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs. Companies that only sell high-efficiency and high-priced 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 choose a company that provides the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within 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 | $21,492 | 9.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.87 | $16,051 | $28,971 | 8.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.81 | $19,670 | $36,607 | 8.7 years |
| 12 kW | $2.75 | $23,132 | $44,401 | 8.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.70 | $26,436 | $52,351 | 8.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.64 | $29,584 | $60,460 | 8.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.59 | $32,574 | $68,725 | 8.0 years |
| 20 kW | $2.53 | $35,406 | $77,148 | 7.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the installer you choose considerably affects your costs and your system's durability and efficiency, it's important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: It's important to read your solar installer's contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.
- Solar Panel Brands: The kind of solar panel you want to install plays a part in which installer you should opt for, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panels running for years to come and save you money on repairs and maintenance.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 Thornapple, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Thornapple?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of 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 more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Thornapple?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, because it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside 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.
How much can I save on power bills after installing solar panels?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,125.54 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Thornapple?
Although 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 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.