Solar Panel Cost Guide in Miles City, MT (2024 Update)
- Miles City Solar Installation Cost: $41,061
- 25-Year Savings: $10,378
- Payback Period: 12.3 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Miles City
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar in Miles City.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in Miles City it’s 3 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 16.9-kW system would cost about $41,061 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can be above or below the average in Miles City depending on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.With typical savings of about $19,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Miles City find installing solar panels has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a reputable solar company in Miles City for a custom estimate.
Solar savings over time in Miles City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-39,921 |
| 3 years | $-37,640 |
| 5 years | $-35,359 |
| 7 years | $-33,079 |
| 9 years | $-30,798 |
| 11 years | $-28,517 |
| 13 years | $-26,236 |
| 15 years | $-23,956 |
| 17 years | $-21,675 |
| 19 years | $-19,394 |
| 21 years | $-17,113 |
| 23 years | $-14,833 |
| 25 years | $-12,552 |
Top Solar Installers in Miles City
Many homeowners choose to use a solar installer since figuring out how to install solar panels yourself can be a lot of work. Another great thing about choosing a vetted solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar investment.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Miles City:
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 Miles City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Miles City
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who want to invest in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in Miles City: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar panel system in Miles City, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by around $3,470 for each additional kilowatt you need.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Miles City average.
Solar Financing Terms
Solar panels can save you money on power bills over many years, but they can also be a significant investment. That’s why many Miles City homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to make paying for solar more affordable.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Miles City homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The remaining major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Miles City, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Miles City are more knowledgeable about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.61 | $15,157 | $14,553 | 12.8 years |
| 8 kW | $3.54 | $19,821 | $19,792 | 12.5 years |
| 10 kW | $3.47 | $24,290 | $25,226 | 12.3 years |
| 12 kW | $3.40 | $28,565 | $30,854 | 12.0 years |
| 14 kW | $3.33 | $32,646 | $36,677 | 11.8 years |
| 16 kW | $3.26 | $36,532 | $42,694 | 11.5 years |
| 18 kW | $3.19 | $40,224 | $48,905 | 11.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.12 | $43,722 | $55,310 | 11.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you opt for will be a major factor in determining not only your overall 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, such as:
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Contract: Even though reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have verifiable 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 past customers.
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 Miles City, MT Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Miles City?
The average cost of solar panels in Miles City is about $17,350 for a 5-kW system and $34,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Miles City?
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 don’t have access to 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 bang for your buck from going solar.
Is it worth going solar in Miles City?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.