Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Lakeland, MN (2023 Update)
- West Lakeland Solar Installation Cost: $14,353
- 25-Year Savings: $21,433
- Payback Period: 10.0 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Lakeland
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in West Lakeland.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in West Lakeland typically cost around 2.84. The average solar panel system size in West Lakeland is around 7.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $14,353 for a solar installation, or $20,525 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
The true price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in West Lakeland depending on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar installer you hire. With typical savings of about $19,000 on electricity bills over 20 years, many homeowners in West Lakeland find going solar has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar installer in West Lakeland for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in West Lakeland
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,922 |
| 3 years | $-10,059 |
| 5 years | $-7,196 |
| 7 years | $-4,333 |
| 9 years | $-1,470 |
| 11 years | $1,392 |
| 13 years | $4,255 |
| 15 years | $7,118 |
| 17 years | $9,981 |
| 19 years | $12,844 |
| 21 years | $15,707 |
| 23 years | $18,570 |
| 25 years | $21,433 |
Top Solar Installers in West Lakeland
Many homeowners choose to use a solar panel company since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be a lot of work. The expertise that solar installers offer can be useful as well, especially if you don't quite know what kind of solar equipment would be right for your home.
Working with a vetted solar company can make going solar easier. Here are our recommendations:
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in West Lakeland
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Lakeland
For many West Lakeland homeowners, the decision to go solar comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in West Lakeland, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that considerably influence the price you'll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of adopting solar energy is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,840 per kilowatt in West Lakeland. The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in West Lakeland provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system. It's wise to factor the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, 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 figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in West Lakeland 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 offer a range of services at different costs. Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.95 | $12,405 | $17,331 | 10.4 years |
| 8 kW | $2.90 | $16,222 | $23,426 | 10.2 years |
| 10 kW | $2.84 | $19,880 | $29,680 | 10.0 years |
| 12 kW | $2.78 | $23,379 | $36,093 | 9.8 years |
| 14 kW | $2.73 | $26,719 | $42,665 | 9.6 years |
| 16 kW | $2.67 | $29,900 | $49,396 | 9.4 years |
| 18 kW | $2.61 | $32,921 | $56,286 | 9.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.56 | $35,784 | $63,335 | 9.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you decide on the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Contract: When looking through 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 like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Warranty: If you're concerned about the durability of your solar panels, verifying that your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's West Lakeland, MN Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in West Lakeland?
This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $14,200 for a 5-kW system and $28,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Are solar panels free in West Lakeland?
Solar panels aren't free in West Lakeland, but there are some options that can make getting them more affordable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that you can take advantage of.
How much can I save on power bills after switching to solar?
Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on where you're located and the efficiency of your system. Even if it doesn't get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $991.19 per year.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had 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.