Solar Panel Cost Guide in East Lansing, MI (2024 Update)
- East Lansing Solar Installation Cost: $17,551
- 25-Year Savings: $21,744
- Payback Period: 12.9 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 East Lansing
Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in East Lansing.
The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in East Lansing it’s 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy needs of the average home in East Lansing, most homeowners require a 6.2-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $17,551, or $25,098 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
These figures are just averages, and how much solar costs for you will look different based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you choose to go with.With average savings of about $21,000 on energy bills over 20 years, many homeowners in East Lansing find investing in solar has a decent ROI.
Click the button below to get connected to a highly rated solar installer in your area for a personalized quote.
Solar savings over time in East Lansing
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,270 |
| 3 years | $-13,709 |
| 5 years | $-11,148 |
| 7 years | $-8,587 |
| 9 years | $-6,026 |
| 11 years | $-3,465 |
| 13 years | $-904 |
| 15 years | $1,657 |
| 17 years | $4,218 |
| 19 years | $6,779 |
| 21 years | $9,340 |
| 23 years | $11,902 |
| 25 years | $14,463 |
Top Solar Installers in East Lansing
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can be a headache. Using an installer can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Another good thing about choosing a reliable solar installer is that it'll usually provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
If you’d like to start using solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar panel installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in East Lansing:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Outstanding Local Installer
Strawberry Solar
- 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 East Lansing
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in East Lansing
The cost of installing a solar system in East Lansing can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The largest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s a priority to accurately gauge the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like East Lansing, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in East Lansing have solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing a solar system.It’s a good idea to include 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 the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you hire to install your solar panel system can affect your pricing. East Lansing’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Larger national companies typically 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 additional services like electric car 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 | $4.22 | $17,734 | $15,194 | 13.5 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $20,713 | 13.2 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $26,460 | 12.9 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $32,434 | 12.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $38,636 | 12.4 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $45,064 | 12.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $51,721 | 11.9 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $58,604 | 11.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the installation company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand how much it will cost, project timeline rebates and warranties.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
- Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide adequate aftercare and customer service, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for panel repairs and maintenance over a couple decades are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one indication of a quality company.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
Outstanding Local Installer
Strawberry Solar
- 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 East Lansing, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in East Lansing?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, 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. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. Conversely, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a very important factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on your goals for going solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to be mindful of are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
How much can I save on power 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 $1,097.60 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 should be disposed of 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 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.