Solar Panel Cost Guide in Midland, MI (2024 Update)
- Midland Solar Installation Cost: $17,477
- 25-Year Savings: $23,208
- Payback Period: 12.4 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Midland
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Midland.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Midland typically cost around 4.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Midland, most homeowners require a 6.1-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $17,477, or $24,992 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy consumption, the type of solar panels you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Despite the significant initial cost, the average Midland homeowner can save around $22,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Midland
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,223 |
| 3 years | $-13,716 |
| 5 years | $-11,209 |
| 7 years | $-8,701 |
| 9 years | $-6,194 |
| 11 years | $-3,686 |
| 13 years | $-1,179 |
| 15 years | $1,328 |
| 17 years | $3,836 |
| 19 years | $6,343 |
| 21 years | $8,851 |
| 23 years | $11,358 |
| 25 years | $13,865 |
Top Solar Installers in Midland
When going solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar company since installing solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Another good thing about using a vetted solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your solar system over time.
If you're searching for a solar company in Midland, the EcoWatch team has put together a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Midland
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Midland
Though the average cost of a solar system in Midland is $17,477, your actual cost may differ. There are quite a few factors that can have a major impact on the cost of a solar panel installation. Below are some of the more important things to keep in mind.
Solar Equipment
The cost of solar panels varies by thousands of dollars due to a few different factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with greater efficiency or power production use 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 brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable choice because they decrease your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.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 more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you pick will play a role in your total cost to make the switch to solar . Different companies will charge different amounts for the equipment and labor.Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to 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 | $16,711 | 12.9 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $22,737 | 12.6 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $28,989 | 12.4 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $35,469 | 12.1 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $42,176 | 11.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $49,111 | 11.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $56,273 | 11.4 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $63,662 | 11.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies to choose from in Midland, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies carry various brands and models of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
- Installation Process: Get details from your solar company about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be done and how long it will take.
- Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar panel system running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
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 Midland, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Midland?
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 additional solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Midland?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Midland. However, you may still be able to install them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
How much can I save on energy bills after switching to solar?
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 $1,148.18 per year.
How long do solar panels last in Midland?
Even though 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.