Solar Panel Cost Guide in Cloquet, MN (2025 Update)

  • Cloquet Solar Installation Cost: $21,000
  • 25-Year Savings: $18,226
  • Payback Period: 15.9 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Cloquet

Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Cloquet.

Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Cloquet, the average cost of a solar system is 4 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Cloquet, most homeowners require a 7.4-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $21,000, or $30,030 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

How much you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Cloquet depending on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the ROI for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $17,000 over 20 years on power bills.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Cloquet that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Cloquet

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-19,958
3 years$-17,875
5 years$-15,792
7 years$-13,709
9 years$-11,627
11 years$-9,544
13 years$-7,461
15 years$-5,378
17 years$-3,295
19 years$-1,212
21 years$871
23 years$2,953
25 years$5,036

Top Solar Installers in Cloquet

When going solar, many homeowners opt to use a solar installation company since DIY solar panel installation can be a difficult project. Another good thing about choosing a reputable solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.

You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:

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See all of the solar companies in Cloquet

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Cloquet

For many Cloquet homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Cloquet, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of going solar. For that reason, it’s crucial to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The model of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will substantially affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Plus, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to decide on the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Cloquet homeowners opt to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your all-in costs, so it’s important to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by putting more money down.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar panel installation company you pick will impact your total cost to make the switch to solar energy. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have 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 sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$4.19$17,603$9,01516.5 years
8 kW$4.11$23,019$12,47216.2 years
10 kW$4.03$28,210$16,15415.9 years
12 kW$3.95$33,175$20,06215.6 years
14 kW$3.87$37,914$24,19615.3 years
16 kW$3.79$42,428$28,55514.9 years
18 kW$3.71$46,716$33,14014.6 years
20 kW$3.63$50,778$37,95014.3 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The solar installer you go with will influence 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 take into account, including:

  • Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
  • Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated 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 previous customers.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you go with.
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EcoWatch's Cloquet, MN Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Cloquet?

The average cost of solar panels in Cloquet is about $20,150 for a 5-kW system and $40,300 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Can you get solar panels for free in Cloquet?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Cloquet. 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 prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Cloquet?

The majority of states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.