Solar Panel Cost Guide in Mills, MI (2024 Update)
- Mills Solar Installation Cost: $17,649
- 25-Year Savings: $22,689
- Payback Period: 12.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Mills
Here’s how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in Mills.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Mills, the typical cost of solar panels is 4 per watt.The average solar panel system size in Mills is around 6.2 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,649 for a solar installation, or $25,238 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy use, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more.Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a solid investment. The average homeowner in Mills can save about $21,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar installer in Mills for a custom quote.
Solar savings over time in Mills
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,395 |
| 3 years | $-13,888 |
| 5 years | $-11,380 |
| 7 years | $-8,873 |
| 9 years | $-6,365 |
| 11 years | $-3,858 |
| 13 years | $-1,351 |
| 15 years | $1,157 |
| 17 years | $3,664 |
| 19 years | $6,172 |
| 21 years | $8,679 |
| 23 years | $11,186 |
| 25 years | $13,694 |
Top Solar Installers in Mills
Although you can install solar panels by yourself, it takes extra energy and know-how. Because of that, almost all homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Local solar installation companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can take advantage of and by providing warranties and repairs.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar system installer to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
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 Mills
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Mills
There are a number of factors that can play into your installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that determines the overall cost of going solar. Because of that, it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your energy needs.The brand of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will greatly affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to come at a higher price. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to consider 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
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a solid route because they decrease your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.It’s wise to add the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a higher down payment, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay back the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Mills is the company you get to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk prices, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those larger companies.
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 | $15,990 | 13.1 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $21,775 | 12.9 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $27,787 | 12.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $34,026 | 12.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $40,493 | 12.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $47,187 | 11.9 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $54,109 | 11.6 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $61,258 | 11.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are numerous companies available in Mills, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should secure and what the project timeline is.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can make sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
- Reputation: Solar system installers that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years most likely provide high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
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 Mills, MI Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Mills?
The average cost of solar panels in Mills is about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things such as the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Can you get solar panels for free in Mills?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Mills. However, you may still be able to get 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.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Mills?
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 level 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.