Solar Panel Cost Guide in Walled Lake, MI (2024 Update)
- Walled Lake Solar Installation Cost: $17,556
- 25-Year Savings: $12,969
- Payback Period: 17.5 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Walled Lake
Find out how much it might cost to install solar panels in Walled Lake.
The average cost of a solar system in Walled Lake is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy needs of the average home in Walled Lake, most homeowners require a 6.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,556, or $25,105 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The exact cost of installing solar panels can vary depending on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically rewarding, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on power bills.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Walled Lake that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Walled Lake
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,163 |
| 3 years | $-13,379 |
| 5 years | $-10,594 |
| 7 years | $-7,809 |
| 9 years | $-5,025 |
| 11 years | $-2,240 |
| 13 years | $545 |
| 15 years | $3,329 |
| 17 years | $6,114 |
| 19 years | $8,899 |
| 21 years | $11,683 |
| 23 years | $14,468 |
| 25 years | $17,253 |
Top Solar Installers in Walled Lake
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel company since installing solar panels on your own can be hard. Plus, warranties and repairs from your solar panel installer can protect your investment and lower the cost of maintenance over time.
You can get a free quote from a local solar installer on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some in Walled Lake:
See all of the solar companies in Walled Lake
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Walled Lake
Cost is often 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 Walled Lake: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the most significant factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater 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.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Walled Lake, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Walled Lake to be prohibitively costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides access to financing options. Solar loans substantially decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Walled Lake is the company you hire to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.Some companies 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 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 is 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 | $4.22 | $17,734 | $6,665 | 18.2 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $9,341 | 17.8 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $12,245 | 17.5 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $15,376 | 17.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $18,734 | 16.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $22,320 | 16.4 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $26,133 | 16.1 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $30,174 | 15.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since selecting a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Reputation: Well-established companies likely have a solid reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, longevity and energy efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
EcoWatch's Walled Lake, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Walled Lake?
The average cost of solar panels in Walled Lake is about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
The upfront cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your reasons for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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 their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having 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.