Solar Panel Cost Guide in Williamstown, MI (2024 Update)
- Williamstown Solar Installation Cost: $17,543
- 25-Year Savings: $16,647
- Payback Period: 15.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Williamstown
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Williamstown.
In Williamstown, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 6.2-kW system would cost about $17,543 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of the cost of a solar panel system. The actual cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on a few factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy usage and what installation company you go with.Despite the high initial cost, the average Williamstown homeowner can save about $18,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar installer in Williamstown that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Williamstown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,289 |
| 3 years | $-13,782 |
| 5 years | $-11,274 |
| 7 years | $-8,767 |
| 9 years | $-6,259 |
| 11 years | $-3,752 |
| 13 years | $-1,245 |
| 15 years | $1,263 |
| 17 years | $3,770 |
| 19 years | $6,278 |
| 21 years | $8,785 |
| 23 years | $11,292 |
| 25 years | $13,800 |
Top Solar Installers in Williamstown
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installation company since installing solar panels by yourself can be hard. Because solar panels are exposed to the elements every day, warranties and repairs from your solar installer can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Williamstown:
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
Outstanding Local Installer
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Williamstown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Williamstown
The cost of installing a solar system in Williamstown can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in Williamstown, one of the most important factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by around $4,060 for each additional kilowatt you need.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Additionally, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you only need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Williamstown, which can lower, or in some cases totally 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 pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to consider when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Williamstown is the company you get to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.The size of the company sometimes plays the most considerable role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
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 | $10,249 | 15.8 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $14,120 | 15.5 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $18,218 | 15.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $22,544 | 14.9 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $27,097 | 14.6 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $31,878 | 14.3 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $36,885 | 14.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $42,120 | 13.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you opt for will impact not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need to get plays a role in which installer you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
- Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar installer, make sure to read it through completely so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and what services you can expect from them.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the company regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
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
Outstanding Local Installer
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Williamstown, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Williamstown?
The average cost of solar panels in Williamstown 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 certain factors like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Williamstown?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t 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.
Is it worth going solar in Williamstown?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for most homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases 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.