*Prices are shown after applying the 30% federal tax credit.
As of Mar 2024, the average cost of solar panels in Makinen is $2.7 per watt making a typical 6000 watt (6 kW) solar system $11,346 after claiming the 30% federal solar tax credit now available.
This is lower than the average price of residential solar power systems across the United States which is currently $3.00 per watt.
The size of a solar panel system also plays a role in how much the installation will cost.
Larger solar installations will typically have a lower cost per watt, because the panels can be purchased at a ‘bulk price’. However, these larger solar systems will still have a higher total cost, because they are made up of more individual panels.
System size* | Avg cost per watt |
Avg system cost
(After tax credit) show before tax |
---|---|---|
4kW | $2.95 | $8,260 |
5kW | $2.83 | $9,890 |
6kW | $2.70 | $11,346 |
7kW | $2.67 | $13,106 |
8kW | $2.72 | $15,249 |
9kW | $2.62 | $16,515 |
10kW | $2.59 | $18,163 |
Best unit price
$320.00 ($0.96 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,721.85
($2.53 p/w)
LG335N1K-V5 overview
Rated power
335 watts
Efficiency
19.6
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$562.50 ($1.50 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,120.18
($2.49 p/w)
LG375A1C-V5 overview
Rated power
375 watts
Efficiency
21.7
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$430.00 ($1.15 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,919.30
($2.65 p/w)
LG375Q1C-V5 overview
Rated power
375 watts
Efficiency
21.7
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$473.34 ($1.30 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$13,231.07
($2.59 p/w)
LG365Q1K-V5 overview
Rated power
365 watts
Efficiency
21.1
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$432.00 ($1.20 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$13,276.66
($2.63 p/w)
LG360Q1K-V5 overview
Rated power
360 watts
Efficiency
20.8
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$530.85 ($1.50 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,386.87
($2.49 p/w)
LG355Q1K-V5 overview
Rated power
355 watts
Efficiency
20.6
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$495.00 ($1.38 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$13,091.06
($2.60 p/w)
LG360Q1C-V5 overview
Rated power
360 watts
Efficiency
20.8
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$407.97 ($1.10 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.2kW system
$13,159.30
($2.54 p/w)
LG370Q1C-V5 overview
Rated power
370 watts
Efficiency
21.4
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$323.39 ($0.97 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,691.01
($2.53 p/w)
LG335N1C-V5 overview
Rated power
335 watts
Efficiency
19.6
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$338.19 ($0.99 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$0.00
($0.00 p/w)
LG340N1C-V5 overview
Rated power
340 watts
Efficiency
19.8
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$600.00 ($1.83 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,808.41
($2.61 p/w)
SPR-E20-327-COM overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$800.00 ($2.22 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$13,201.67
($2.62 p/w)
SPR-X22-360 overview
Rated power
360 watts
Efficiency
22.2
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$620.00 ($1.90 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$13,703.10
($2.79 p/w)
SPR-E20-327-D-AC overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$620.00 ($1.90 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$13,610.59
($2.77 p/w)
SPR-E20-327 overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$181.00 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$11,003.04
($2.16 p/w)
CS6K-300MS overview
Rated power
300 watts
Efficiency
18.33
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$196.11 ($0.65 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$9,948.02
($1.95 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-300M overview
Rated power
300 watts
Efficiency
18.1
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$172.00 ($0.56 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$9,568.53
($1.96 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-305M overview
Rated power
305 watts
Efficiency
18.4
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$165.00 ($0.53 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$9,761.72
($1.97 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-310M overview
Rated power
310 watts
Efficiency
18.7
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$228.00 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$9,579.65
($1.94 p/w)
LR4-60HPH-380M overview
Rated power
380 watts
Efficiency
20.9
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$234.00 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$10,126.74
($2.00 p/w)
LR6-72HBD-390M overview
Rated power
390 watts
Efficiency
19.4
Number of Cells
144
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
4.84 473 Reviews
John Giller, 4 days ago
I thought that everyone at All Energy Solar that I interacted with professional and dedicated. Molly and Carlo always took time answer my questions and concerns. The guys in field were professional and curtious as well. All in all the process was smooth and ahead of schedule.
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John Giller, 4 days ago
I thought that everyone at All Energy Solar that I interacted with professional and dedicated. Molly and Carlo always took time answer my questions and concerns. The guys in field were professional and curtious as well. All in all the process was smooth and ahead of schedule.
4.79 81 Reviews
Bill, 16 hours ago
Great savings on electric.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$16,500 ($3.30 per watt)
Bill, 16 hours ago
Great savings on electric.
4.72 33 Reviews
Ground mount in SE MN, over 1 month
I admit, there were only 2 'bidders' for our home project. (1) Solar Connections and (2) me. I really wanted to design and install our own ground mount system myself. But I also knew, from many hours of research, from experience wiring this property and a glowing recommendation from a trusted friend in the power distribution business, that I had better get at least 1 other 'competing' bid. I fully expected that the bid would be too expensive for the size of the system I wanted. But once I saw it and figured what I would have to pay to get comparable hardware (that took me a while), the profit built into the bid seemed very fair. That, coupled with the fact that we are always happy to support local business and their estimated time to get the system up and running was way shorter than the 'preferred vendor... me' we signed up. Super glad we did. The whole process from sales to commissioning was low pressure, informative, VERY flexible given we decided midstream to upgrade some panels to both meet code today and be ready for battery chargers in the near future.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$20,550 ($4.11 per watt)
Ground mount in SE MN, over 1 month
I admit, there were only 2 'bidders' for our home project. (1) Solar Connections and (2) me. I really wanted to design and install our own ground mount system myself. But I also knew, from many hours of research, from experience wiring this property and a glowing recommendation from a trusted friend in the power distribution business, that I had better get at least 1 other 'competing' bid. I fully expected that the bid would be too expensive for the size of the system I wanted. But once I saw it and figured what I would have to pay to get comparable hardware (that took me a while), the profit built into the bid seemed very fair. That, coupled with the fact that we are always happy to support local business and their estimated time to get the system up and running was way shorter than the 'preferred vendor... me' we signed up. Super glad we did. The whole process from sales to commissioning was low pressure, informative, VERY flexible given we decided midstream to upgrade some panels to both meet code today and be ready for battery chargers in the near future.
4.65 21 Reviews
Barb, 2 weeks ago
Centauri is a wonderful company! Very professional yet friendly, gave a fair price, kept in touch, did the work efficiently and skillfully while being responsive to what I needed. Everything was great in every way!
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Barb, 2 weeks ago
Centauri is a wonderful company! Very professional yet friendly, gave a fair price, kept in touch, did the work efficiently and skillfully while being responsive to what I needed. Everything was great in every way!
Power, 1 week ago
Installation was smooth as promised.
4.50 1,866 Reviews
Nichole K, 1 day ago
She went out of her way - at every turn - to ensure that I was happy and comfortable with such an huge investment. I issues with the roof installer and they were resolved quickly and to my satisfaction because of her perseverance. I strongly recommend using her for your sales associate. In fact, if it wasn’t for her I would have been more frustrated with how long it took to get everything up and running (DTE wasn’t exactly speedy on their inspection). She checked in with me, regularly, to see how things were progressing and to make sure that I understood the process. She is a gem!
Read more
Nichole K, 1 day ago
She went out of her way - at every turn - to ensure that I was happy and comfortable with such an huge investment. I issues with the roof installer and they were resolved quickly and to my satisfaction because of her perseverance. I strongly recommend using her for your sales associate. In fact, if it wasn’t for her I would have been more frustrated with how long it took to get everything up and running (DTE wasn’t exactly speedy on their inspection). She checked in with me, regularly, to see how things were progressing and to make sure that I understood the process. She is a gem!
4.42 22 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
Midwest installed an 18.9 kw ground mounted system for us that was an especially challenging set of circumstances. Without going into all the details, let's just say they went above and beyond to do whatever it took to make this work, and stayed at their quoted amount even after a lot of challenges. Top notch organization!
Read more
Anonymous, over 1 month
Midwest installed an 18.9 kw ground mounted system for us that was an especially challenging set of circumstances. Without going into all the details, let's just say they went above and beyond to do whatever it took to make this work, and stayed at their quoted amount even after a lot of challenges. Top notch organization!
4.32 17 Reviews
Wade, over 1 month
Very nice people who you can trust.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$19,050 ($3.81 per watt)
Wade, over 1 month
Very nice people who you can trust.
4.32 14 Reviews
Ann H, over 1 month
REAL Solar was a joy to work with, from initial contact with the office to final commissioning. During project development they made sure I understood what the terms meant and how the system would work; during installation the crew was professional and friendly, and answered all my (many) questions. There was a long lag time between signing the contract and getting on line, but that was expected, and I received regular communication throughout, to keep me informed of the schedule. Whether I needed to talk to the system designer, the project manager, the electrician, or the office manager, I received a quick and knowledgeable response. Our case was unique in that we contracted with REAL Solar in 2022, but didn't get on the install schedule until 2023. During that time, REAL Solar chose not to renew their license in North Dakota, but instead of abandoning me, they contracted with a solar installer in the state to help complete the project - definitely above and beyond! I can't say enough good things about our experience, and I highly recommend the folks at REAL Solar!
Read more
Ann H, over 1 month
REAL Solar was a joy to work with, from initial contact with the office to final commissioning. During project development they made sure I understood what the terms meant and how the system would work; during installation the crew was professional and friendly, and answered all my (many) questions. There was a long lag time between signing the contract and getting on line, but that was expected, and I received regular communication throughout, to keep me informed of the schedule. Whether I needed to talk to the system designer, the project manager, the electrician, or the office manager, I received a quick and knowledgeable response. Our case was unique in that we contracted with REAL Solar in 2022, but didn't get on the install schedule until 2023. During that time, REAL Solar chose not to renew their license in North Dakota, but instead of abandoning me, they contracted with a solar installer in the state to help complete the project - definitely above and beyond! I can't say enough good things about our experience, and I highly recommend the folks at REAL Solar!
Tom Loeffler, over 1 month
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Where there is no specific pricing information available for a brand then we have used state pricing data for that brand.
Solar panel manufacturer | Avg. cost per watt |
---|---|
Canadian Solar | $2.52 |
LG Solar | $3.00 |
SunPower | $3.15 |
Panasonic | $3.04 |
LONGi Solar | $2.43 |
The most important difference between buying solar panels and any other purchase is that solar panels last 25-30 years. This is a long, long time and you will need customer service over all that time. The reviews below of the two largest corporate solar installation companies indicate larger corporate solar companies are not delivering this support to their customers.
We recommend you find a small or mid-size, local, family-owned solar company. These companies tend to care more about you and your specific job. You don't want to be on hold to a corporation's call center for the next 25 years!
The cost of solar doesn't just include the equipment and installation costs - it’s also made up of permitting costs, inspection costs, and installer profit margins.
These different components are what make the price of solar fluctuate between installations. Some of the factors that affect solar power system installation costs for specific homes include:
Homes that use more electricity will need more solar panels to cover their energy needs.
Although solar panels do get cheaper on a per-watt basis, the overall cost of the system will increase as more panels are added.
But, the higher a home’s energy usage, the more solar panels can save the homeowners on their energy bills.
The price of solar panels can vary depending on the type of solar panels you choose.
There are two main types of solar panels for residential solar installations: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline solar panels tend to be more efficient and more expensive than other solar panels. Polycrystalline panels have a lower efficiency rating and come at a lower price point.
The type of inverter you buy will also influence the cost of your solar system.
You may see some solar quotes with prices that seem too good to be true.
If you get quoted for a ridiculously cheap price, the installer might be using low-quality equipment or an unsustainable pricing model. You want to use a solar installer that is charging enough so that they can stay in business - as you’ll be relying on them for the next 25 years!
It’s important to make sure that your installer is giving you the best quality at the best price possible. This is why getting multiple solar quotes is so important.
The overall cost of solar can be influenced by the solar incentives available.
Across the U.S., homeowners can apply for the federal solar tax credit. The solar tax credit makes installing solar more cost-effective by providing homeowners with a tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of their installed solar panel system.
Local solar tax incentives and rebates can end up saving homeowners thousands on a solar installation, especially when they’re used with the federal solar tax credit.
See what solar incentives are available in your area by using our solar panel calculator.
The cost of installing residential solar panels in Makinen varies with the brand of solar panels and inverters you choose, the installation company you choose to install them, the relative ease or difficulty of installing solar panels on your home, and of course the amount of solar panels you need. The amount of solar panels you need is, in turn, related to your energy usage.
The table below shows the data extracted from a real life quote delivered through the SolarReviews marketplace recently for a fairly typical home in Makinen.
As you can see the payback period is relatively short and equates to a much better return on investment than he historical returns that have been available from investing in things like shares or property.
System information | Value |
---|---|
System Size (for 100% usage offset) | 10.1 kW |
Annual power generation | 13,113 kWh |
Pay-back time (assuming Cash purchase) | 11.5 Years |
Internal rate of return (IRR) on investment | 2.5% |
Gross cost | $29,537 |
Total Upfront Incentives and Rebates | -$7,681 |
Net Cost of System after rebated and incentives | $21,860 |
Total Cost of Utility Power Avoided over 25 years | $59,279 |