Solar Panel Cost Guide in Manistee, MI (2024 Update)
- Manistee Solar Installation Cost: $16,995
- 25-Year Savings: $21,521
- Payback Period: 12.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Manistee
Here’s how much it might cost to go solar in Manistee.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Manistee is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Manistee is around 6.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $16,995 for a solar installation, or $24,303 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
These figures are just averages, and the cost of going solar for you will differ based on your specific situation and what company you choose to go with.Many homeowners find installing a solar panel system is a sound investment. The average homeowner in Manistee can save around $21,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar installer in Manistee for a personalized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Manistee
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,741 |
| 3 years | $-13,234 |
| 5 years | $-10,726 |
| 7 years | $-8,219 |
| 9 years | $-5,712 |
| 11 years | $-3,204 |
| 13 years | $-697 |
| 15 years | $1,810 |
| 17 years | $4,318 |
| 19 years | $6,825 |
| 21 years | $9,333 |
| 23 years | $11,840 |
| 25 years | $14,347 |
Top Solar Installers in Manistee
Many homeowners decide to use a solar panel company since trying to put up solar panels by yourself can be hard. Another upside of going with a solar installer is that they can help you make the most of your return of investment by bringing down your future costs of repairs and replacements due to warranties and giving you information on local incentives you can take advantage of.
You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much your investment in solar could cost for your home. Here are some near you:
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
Outstanding Local Installer
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Manistee
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Manistee
For many Manistee homeowners, the decision to install solar panels comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Manistee, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that influences the overall cost of installing solar panels. Because of that, it’s a priority to accurately assess the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The kind of solar panels and equipment you get is another factor that will considerably influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more pricey. Moreover, solar equipment consists of more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be a challenge. Solar loans are available from most installers in Manistee, which can bring down, or in some cases totally eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can influence the cost. Manistee’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Some companies only sell high-efficiency and high-priced products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come with an above-average cost. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within your budget.
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 | $15,661 | 13.3 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $21,336 | 13.0 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $27,238 | 12.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $33,368 | 12.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $39,725 | 12.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $46,310 | 12.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $53,122 | 11.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $60,161 | 11.5 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. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract closely to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the project timeline.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want to get plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies provide different panels.
- Warranty: If you care about the longevity of your solar system, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can give you some peace of mind.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when adopting solar power is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should acquire and how long the project will take.
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
Outstanding Local Installer
The Green Panel
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Manistee, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Manistee?
The average cost of solar panels in Manistee 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 kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Manistee?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home 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 going solar worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
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 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.