In 2021, Assembly Solar will come online, providing 333.8 MW of solar power to more than 54,000 Michigan residents. The system represents nearly one-third of the state's Great Lakes capacity. With a large project like this, homeowners may want to start thinking about solar panels in Michigan.
However, budgeting can be difficult without ample information. In this article, we cover everything you need to know. From typical costs to potential savings, we've rounded up all the details below.
Average cost of solar panels in Michigan
The average cost of solar panels in Michigan is in the middle, about $2.66/W. For a 6 kW system, Great Lakes homeowners can spend about $15,960 before incentives.
However, traditional electricity rates really determine the cost of solar energy. Michigan residents have relatively efficient homes. However, since the cost of electricity is in the top 10 in the country, they pay about $120 a month. This makes solar power in Michigan a worthwhile investment.
Great Lakes homeowners can save on installation costs with state solar tax rebates. The program offers 30% off equipment, labor and sales tax. Those insuring their own installation should see the price of a 6kW system drop from $15,960 to $11,172.
© Provided by History Computer Michigan homeowners can expect to spend about $15,960 for a 6 kW system without incentives. ©Pixelci/Shutterstock.comHow much solar energy do Michigan residents need?
The example above shows the average cost of solar panels in Michigan, but may not represent the power required for your particular household. To accurately determine the correct solar panel size, you need to divide your home's daily electricity usage by the average amount of sun your area receives. Let's use standard Michigan numbers to illustrate how this works.
Great Lakes homeowners use about 22.5 kWh per day, which is quite low compared to other states. At an average solar peak (time when the sun shines brightest) of 4.0 hours, a solar panel system should produce approximately 5.6 kWh. A system of this size will cost about $14,896, about $1,000 less than the national average.
Knowing how to determine the right wattage will help you create an accurate budget for your solar panel system. Since average sunlight varies by location, you can use this Michigan sunlight map to find out how much your nearest city is getting.
Michigan Solar Cost Factor
As we briefly discussed above, solar panel prices in Michigan can vary depending on sunlight and geographic location. For example, Mackinaw City gets up to 4.9 hours of peak sunshine, almost an hour more than average. Another example of how location can affect solar prices is comparing Michigan to neighboring states.
Michigan residents should also consider the type of solar panels they install. The main difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline is efficiency versus affordability. Those living on the south side of the state may need a single crystal to maximize energy production. However, Mackinaw City residents can save money while meeting their electrical needs with polycrystalline.
Ultimately, choosing the right solar panel installation in Michigan can make or break the functionality of the system. While you can save money with an affordable company, important aspects like equipment quality, scope of work, and even contractor transparency may be sacrificed. With over 80 plumbing companies in the Great Lakes region, it pays to spend time researching each one before making a decision.
Michigan's Best Solar Installer
When installing industry-leading solar panels in Michigan, EnergySage provided a great welcome screen. Accredited by the US Department of Energy and SEIA, this company distinguishes installers by their quality. Before choosing an installation company, you should check the following points:
- Years of industry experience
- Transparency of the entrepreneur
- Equipment at the highest level
- Full warranty
- Correct certification
Strawberry Solar is one of the top rated installation companies in Michigan. With 13 years of experience in the industry, the Detroit-based installer works closely with local residents. They use the best equipment and work with Tesla, Panasonic and LG Solar. Your work is backed by NABCEP certification and a 25-year installation warranty.
Landlords in the state may want to consider Kalamazoo-based Helios Solar. The company employs an in-house engineering team to serve the western part of the state. Although the company is much smaller, it still offers quality equipment and has similar certifications. However, their performance guarantee doesn't match Strawberry Solar's, so keep that in mind.
© Provided by Computer History EnergySage is a great resource to help Michigan solar installers get pre-qualified. ©jittawit21/Shutterstock.comCan Solar Power Save Michigan Residents Money?
Although the weather in the Great Lakes state is very cloudy, Michigan residents can still find real savings. By calculating the service on your electricity bill, you can recover the cost of your installation and ultimately recover your money for unpaid electricity. Let's see how it is in Michigan.
Great Lakes residents spend about $1,430.16 a year on electricity ($119.18 a month). If Michigan residents used this allowance to pay for a 6 kW system, they could recoup the cost in about 11.2 years. That's about a year longer than some states, but still quick enough to make the total return worthwhile.
Once the net is paid off, owners can start making a net profit. Considering the average lifespan of solar panels in Michigan is 20 to 25 years, residents could recoup between $12,585 and $19,736. That's a huge amount of money that goes back into the pockets of Michigan residents while adding to their carbon footprint.
Solar panels in Michigan. discounts, credits and incentives
While the Great Lakes State has a good level of equipment and abundant sunshine, Michigan has virtually no support for solar panels. However, there are renewable energy incentives in the states if you know where to look.
For starters, solar home owners can save 30% by using their national solar tax returns. This advantage can reduce the price of a 6 kW system by approximately $5,000. In addition, the country is able to raise its standards for renewable energy. For complete coverage of all the benefits of solar panels in Michigan, check out our detailed list.
Solar panels in Michigan. Further reading
While support at the state level decreases, homeowners can still save with solar panels in Michigan. With affordable tech prices, it's never been cheaper to upgrade. To learn how the Great Lakes State is supporting other emerging technologies, read the articles below.
Solar panels in Massachusetts. costs, savings and discounts; Here's how Michigan solar prices compare to one of the most expensive states in the country.
Top 10 Internet Service Providers in Michigan Want to stay in touch? This Michigan ISP wants to protect you.
Owning an Electric Vehicle in Michigan Fees, Incentives and More - The Great Lakes State offers some of the strongest incentives for electric vehicles.
Solar panels in Michigan. Mail, Savings and Discounts appeared first on Computer-History.
