Solar Panel Cost Guide in Blendon, MI (2024 Update)

  • Blendon Solar Installation Cost: $16,853
  • 25-Year Savings: $20,654
  • Payback Period: 13.0 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated April 21, 2024

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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 Blendon

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Blendon.

In Blendon, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average Blendon homeowner needs a 5.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,853 with the federal tax credit, or $24,100 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

The true cost of your system can be higher or lower than the average in Blendon based on several factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.With typical savings of about $21,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in Blendon find investing in solar can be quite rewarding.

To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Blendon

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,600
3 years$-13,092
5 years$-10,585
7 years$-8,078
9 years$-5,570
11 years$-3,063
13 years$-555
15 years$1,952
17 years$4,459
19 years$6,967
21 years$9,474
23 years$11,982
25 years$14,489

Top Solar Installers in Blendon

Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installer since figuring out how to install solar panels by yourself can be hard. Some solar installers, particularly local ones, can help you better understand incentives in Blendon, therefore optimizing your ROI.

If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Blendon, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Solar Veteran

Michigan Solar Solutions

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • 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

See all of the solar companies in Blendon

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Blendon

Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few primary factors that determine your overall cost in Blendon: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to some different factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $4,060.The kind 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, more efficient panels could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Blendon average.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Blendon to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in higher prices over time due to interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the amount of interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The solar company you go with to handle your switch to renewable energy can play a role in your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Blendon, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies undercut them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on 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$4.22$17,734$14,96513.6 years
8 kW$4.14$23,191$20,40813.3 years
10 kW$4.06$28,420$26,07913.0 years
12 kW$3.98$33,422$31,97712.8 years
14 kW$3.90$38,196$38,10212.5 years
16 kW$3.82$42,744$44,45512.3 years
18 kW$3.74$47,064$51,03512.0 years
20 kW$3.65$51,156$57,84211.7 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Contract: Read the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
  • Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, including when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
  • Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to install your solar system. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Solar Veteran

Michigan Solar Solutions

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • 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

EcoWatch's Blendon, MI Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Blendon?

This is a hard question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Blendon?

A solar panel system isn’t free in Blendon, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, 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 electricity bills after installing solar panels?

Solar panels can potentially eliminate your electricity bills depending on your location and how much sunlight your home gets. Even if it doesn’t get rid of them completely, you can save a lot of money on your bills, about $1,089.98 per year.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

Although 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 the amount of 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 continue to use 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.