Solar Panel Cost Guide in Harper Woods, MI (2024 Update)

  • Harper Woods Solar Installation Cost: $17,379
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,091
  • Payback Period: 17.3 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 Harper Woods

Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Harper Woods.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Harper Woods typically cost about 4.The average solar panel system size in Harper Woods is around 6.1 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,379 for a solar installation, or $24,852 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

The actual price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Harper Woods depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.For many homeowners, the upfront investment in solar is worth paying. On average Harper Woods homeowners see about $16,000 in savings on utility bills over 20 years.

For a free quote from a local solar installer that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in Harper Woods

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,987
3 years$-13,202
5 years$-10,417
7 years$-7,633
9 years$-4,848
11 years$-2,063
13 years$721
15 years$3,506
17 years$6,291
19 years$9,075
21 years$11,860
23 years$14,645
25 years$17,429

Top Solar Installers in Harper Woods

Many homeowners decide to use a solar panel installer since trying to install solar panels yourself can be hard. Since solar panels are exposed to the elements every day, warranties and repairs from your solar company can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.

There are various licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:

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 Harper Woods

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Harper Woods

There are many criteria that can influence your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar panels.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar energy system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $4,060. Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer better efficiency. In a city like Harper Woods, where sunlight isn’t as abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be a better option. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be difficult. Solar loans are provided by most installers in Harper Woods, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.While solar loans make going solar more accessible for Harper Woods homeowners, they can also raise the total you pay for your system due to interest. If you make a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final key cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the growing popularity of clean energy solutions in Harper Woods, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also is within your budget.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$4.22$17,734$6,91318.0 years
8 kW$4.14$23,191$9,67217.6 years
10 kW$4.06$28,420$12,65817.3 years
12 kW$3.98$33,422$15,87217.0 years
14 kW$3.90$38,196$19,31316.6 years
16 kW$3.82$42,744$22,98116.3 years
18 kW$3.74$47,064$26,87715.9 years
20 kW$3.65$51,156$31,00015.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because choosing a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for defective panels and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a quality company.
  • Contract: Review the contract terms carefully to make sure you understand the cost breakdown, project timeline rebates and warranties.
  • Installation Process: When making the switch to solar energy, it’s essential to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. Make sure you understand how the installation process works and the project timeline.
  • Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need to install plays a role in which company you should choose, since different companies offer different panels.

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 Harper Woods, MI Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Harper Woods?

The average cost of solar panels in Harper Woods is about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Can you get solar panels for free in Harper Woods?

A solar panel system isn’t free in Harper Woods, 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 can help lower the cost.

Can solar panels eliminate my power bills?

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 $821.56 per year.

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 larger amount 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.