Solar Panel Cost Guide in Odessa, MI (2024 Update)
- Odessa Solar Installation Cost: $17,521
- 25-Year Savings: $21,567
- Payback Period: 13.0 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Odessa
Here’s how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Odessa.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Odessa typically cost around 4.Using this figure, a typical 6.2-kW system would cost about $17,521 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
How much you pay can go above or below the average in Odessa based on a variety of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.For most homeowners, the upfront investment in solar power is worth paying. On average you could be looking at about $21,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
For a personalized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Odessa
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,267 |
| 3 years | $-13,760 |
| 5 years | $-11,252 |
| 7 years | $-8,745 |
| 9 years | $-6,238 |
| 11 years | $-3,730 |
| 13 years | $-1,223 |
| 15 years | $1,284 |
| 17 years | $3,792 |
| 19 years | $6,299 |
| 21 years | $8,807 |
| 23 years | $11,314 |
| 25 years | $13,821 |
Top Solar Installers in Odessa
Although you can install solar panels yourself, it involves extra energy and know-how. For that reason, the majority of homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. The expertise that solar companies offer can be helpful as well, particularly if you don’t quite know what kind of solar equipment you need.
If you're searching for a solar company in Odessa, we've compiled a list of our top suggestions here:
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 Odessa
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Odessa
There are a number of criteria that can affect your 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
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar system in Odessa, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are primarily based on your home’s energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by about $4,060 for each additional kilowatt you need.The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your power bills. Additionally, extra products, such as solar batteries, can bring your total well above the Odessa average.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a popular choice because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average.However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your overall costs, so it’s crucial to keep that in mind as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar company you pick will impact your total cost to adopt solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor.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 find a company that offers the products, warranties and services you want and also is 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 | $15,058 | 13.5 years |
| 8 kW | $4.14 | $23,191 | $20,532 | 13.3 years |
| 10 kW | $4.06 | $28,420 | $26,233 | 13.0 years |
| 12 kW | $3.98 | $33,422 | $32,162 | 12.7 years |
| 14 kW | $3.90 | $38,196 | $38,318 | 12.5 years |
| 16 kW | $3.82 | $42,744 | $44,701 | 12.2 years |
| 18 kW | $3.74 | $47,064 | $51,312 | 12.0 years |
| 20 kW | $3.65 | $51,156 | $58,150 | 11.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar installer you go with will influence not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are a few important things you should consider, such as:
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you’d like to get plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Contract: It’s important to look over your solar installer’s contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it 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.
- Warranty: Many companies offer different types of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
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 Odessa, MI Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Odessa?
The average cost of solar panels in Odessa 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 like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Are solar panels free in Odessa?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Odessa. 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 rather own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is it worth going solar in Odessa?
Solar panels can be a good 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 energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out what solar panel system size you need, you should find out how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.