Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Grand Forks, MN (2025 Update)
- East Grand Forks Solar Installation Cost: $20,405
- 25-Year Savings: $18,040
- Payback Period: 15.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in East Grand Forks
See how much it might cost to install solar panels in East Grand Forks.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in East Grand Forks typically cost around 4.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in East Grand Forks, most homeowners require a 7.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $20,405, or $29,179 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may vary 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 East Grand Forks homeowner can save about $17,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
For a personalized quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by EcoWatch, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in East Grand Forks
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-19,246 |
| 3 years | $-16,929 |
| 5 years | $-14,613 |
| 7 years | $-12,296 |
| 9 years | $-9,979 |
| 11 years | $-7,662 |
| 13 years | $-5,345 |
| 15 years | $-3,028 |
| 17 years | $-711 |
| 19 years | $1,606 |
| 21 years | $3,923 |
| 23 years | $6,240 |
| 25 years | $8,557 |
Top Solar Installers in East Grand Forks
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel company since installing solar panels on your own can be challenging. Plus, if you’re not certain what type of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar installer can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in East Grand Forks:
See all of the solar companies in East Grand Forks
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Grand Forks
The cost of installing a solar system in East Grand Forks can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. That’s why it’s crucial to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The kind of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bring your total well above the East Grand Forks average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels out of pocket is out of reach, solar loans are a solid route because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.Although solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for East Grand Forks homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you opt for to handle your switch to green energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in East Grand Forks, and each can charge varying amounts for labor and equipment.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $4.19 | $17,603 | $9,289 | 16.4 years |
| 8 kW | $4.11 | $23,019 | $12,837 | 16.0 years |
| 10 kW | $4.03 | $28,210 | $16,610 | 15.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.95 | $33,175 | $20,609 | 15.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.87 | $37,914 | $24,834 | 15.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.79 | $42,428 | $29,284 | 14.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.71 | $46,716 | $33,960 | 14.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.63 | $50,778 | $38,862 | 14.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since choosing a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: Make sure your solar panel installer has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking its work history and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.
- Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their roof configurations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which model 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 peruse their list of options before deciding.
- Contract: When looking over your solar company’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the durability of your solar energy system, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
EcoWatch's East Grand Forks, MN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in East Grand Forks?
The average cost of solar panels in East Grand Forks 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 stuff like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in East Grand Forks?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you are unable to 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 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 completely eradicate my electricity bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners throughout East Grand Forks, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
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.