Solar Panel Cost Guide in St. Joseph, MI (2024 Update)

  • St. Joseph Solar Installation Cost: $16,836
  • 25-Year Savings: $16,715
  • Payback Period: 14.8 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 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 St. Joseph

Find out how much it might cost to make the switch to solar in St. Joseph.

The national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, but in St. Joseph it’s 4 per watt.The average St. Joseph homeowner needs a 5.9-kilowatt system, which would cost about $16,836 with the federal tax credit, or $24,075 before the 0 tax credit is applied.

The true price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in St. Joseph based on a variety of factors, such as the model of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.Even with the significant initial cost, the average St. Joseph homeowner can save about $18,000 on their power bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.

To calculate your potential ROI and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.

Solar savings over time in St. Joseph

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-15,611
3 years $-13,163
5 years $-10,714
7 years $-8,265
9 years $-5,816
11 years $-3,367
13 years $-918
15 years $1,531
17 years $3,979
19 years $6,428
21 years $8,877
23 years $11,326
25 years $13,775

Top Solar Installers in St. Joseph

Although you can install solar panels on your own, it requires extra time and knowledge. That's one of the reasons most homeowners choose to hire a solar panel installer. Also, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, using a solar installer can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives.

If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t certain which solar system installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers nearby:

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 St. Joseph

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in St. Joseph

For many St. Joseph homeowners, the decision to install solar panels rests on cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in St. Joseph, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are a number of factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

The size of the solar system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $4,060. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price 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 extra equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in St. Joseph to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in paying more over time because of interest.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, 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 above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or getting a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs considerably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The final major cost factor you should consider is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in St. Joseph, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.The company’s size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.

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 $10,997 15.4 years
8 kW $4.14 $23,191 $15,118 15.1 years
10 kW $4.06 $28,420 $19,466 14.8 years
12 kW $3.98 $33,422 $24,041 14.5 years
14 kW $3.90 $38,196 $28,843 14.2 years
16 kW $3.82 $42,744 $33,873 13.9 years
18 kW $3.74 $47,064 $39,131 13.7 years
20 kW $3.65 $51,156 $44,615 13.4 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are many companies to choose from in St. Joseph, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Picking the right company for you can be tough, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Contract: Even though reading through a contract can take a lot of time, it’s important to do it thoroughly so you can be sure you understand how much the equipment and services will cost and how part repairs and replacements will be handled.
  • Installation Process: When going solar, it’s necessary to maintain an open line of communication with your solar company. Confirm that you understand how the installation process works and the completion timeline.
  • Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • 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 good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.

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 St. Joseph, MI Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. Joseph?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally 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 cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in St. Joseph?

A solar panel system isn’t free in St. Joseph, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can further reduce the cost.

Is it worth going solar in St. Joseph?

Solar panels can be a good investment for lots 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 reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

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 choose to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.

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