How Much Does It Cost To Maintain Solar Panels Over Time
The cost of maintaining solar panels depends on the panels quality and voltage. Solar panels have a 25-30 years lifespan, but I can replace them with new solar panels before they reach their end of life.
The replacement cost depends on my location and the type of solar panel I have installed. The average cost to maintain a solar panel system is $150 per month over its lifetime. If I install 3 kW worth of solar energy, the average maintenance cost will be above $1,500 yearly.
The cost will also vary greatly depending on my location and energy usage. For example, in sunny states like Florida, California, and Arizona, its easy to get by with a small system that produces only enough electricity to power my home.
How Are Solar Panels Installed
In a sense, all the research youre doing now is the hardest part of installing solar panels on your home. The time between when you get a quote from a solar energy company to solar panel installation can be anywhere between one and four months. The whole process can be described in six steps:
Consider hiring a good electrical engineering consultant to look over the proposed system prior to purchase as well. This will help ensure that you get the right system for your needs.
Are Solar Panels Worth It In California
Yes, solar panels are absolutely worth it in California, and installing them is a great investment. Solar Panels can save the average California a ton of money! Plus, you can deduct 30% of the cost of solar panel installation right away due to the Federal solar investment tax credit . And, Californias solar tax credit will make the cost of residential solar installation even cheaper.
Choosing to install solar panels in California can increase your home value by 2-3%. Plus, with most of the cost of solar being covered by the Federal ITC and California solar tax credit, its a no-brainer to go solar in CA.
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How Much Do Solar Panels Cost
How much do solar panels cost is not as simple a question as it seems to be. The price of a complete solar system takes more into account than just the cost of the solar panel. The panel, the inverter, the method of installation, and the financing can all affect the overall price of the system.
If you are in California, systems built with tier 1 solar panels can range from $2.50 per watt to $4.50 per watt, cash price. Systems costing $2.50 per watt will not include attic runs for conduit, critter guard for birds, main panel upgrades, and all-black solar panels. The high-end pricing should include attic runs and other extras that account for the price differential.
Premium solar loans carry dealer fees that can add 10-25% more to the cash price of a solar system. The prices quoted above do not include financing fees for premium loans with low-interest rates. Find out more about solar financing.
The Bottom Line: Are Solar Panels Worth It
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for your home by saving you money long-term on the cost of electricity and increasing the value of your property. However, there are factors that you should consider before making the switch, including how much sunlight directly hits your house daily and the layout and direction of your roof. Residential solar systems in states that are, on average, sunnier will typically perform better, and south-, west- or southwest-facing roofs get more sun exposure.
You should also take a close look at your monthly electricity bill and compare it against your states average energy cost. Solar panels may be a good solution if you have consistently high payments or your cost is more expensive than in other areas of your state. On the other hand, you may not see enough cost savings to justify the expense of installing a home solar system if you have relatively low bills or can find ways to cut down electricity usage significantly.
Its also crucial to determine what incentives, if any, your state offers for solar energy, including a net metering program and tax credits. Remember that you can only take advantage of these incentives if you own your panels, either by paying for them outright or through a loan, so you need to consider whether your budget allows for a purchase rather than a lease. Fill out this online form to get quotes from top solar installers in your area.
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Gain Credits From Electric Companies With Net Metering Program
When your system produces more energy than you need, you can sell the surplus into the grid and gain credits from your electric company. Usually the rates for this excess energy are close to utility rates, so in theory you can stop paying all of your electricity bills this way. The rates and conditions vary from company to company, so we recommend consulting your electric supplier.
California Solar Property Tax Exemption
The state of California has an exclusion, not an exemption. The Active Solar Energy Exclusion is a new construction exclusion. This means that solar panel installation will not be assessed for tax purposes. The exclusion is set to end on January 1, 2025, and does not apply to solar swimming pool heaters, hot tub heaters, or wind energy systems.
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Solar Panel Installation Costs By Size
To get started estimating your own costs, reference our table below. Find your homes closest square footage and check out the range of panels you may need and the cost for those panels. The panel number ranges depending on whether you live in a state that is better or worse for solar due to climate and whether or not you want to offset all your electricity needs or just a part of them. See How Many Solar Panels Will You Need? below for more information.
Solar Panel Cost by Home Size| House Square Feet |
|---|
| $15,250 – $18,000 |
Is Solar Worth It In California
Before we do a deep dive into this question, know that the California Energy Commission requires solar panels on all newly-constructed homes. The CMC will extend this requirement to all new commercial buildings and specific multifamily residences beginning in 2023.
While solar panel systems are certainly not required on previously-constructed homes, these mandates prove that solar panels are here to stay in California.
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What Do Solar Panels Cost And Are They Worth It
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The rising cost of electricity from traditional sources makes solar installation seem like a no-brainer for many homeowners.
But the true cost of solar panels, and whether they’ll help you save money, depends on a few key factors.
System Panels And Equipment
The cost of your system is also dependent on the number of panels you need and the type of panels you select.
The average home solar system is 5kW, although larger homes may require a 6kW system. Assuming your system uses 250-watt photovoltaic panels, that equates to approximately 20 panels per home, at the cost of roughly $11,000. Of course, prices increase from that starting point for larger systems requiring more panels.
Home solar systems also typically require an inverter. Most solar companies will design your solar system with these components included, but selecting specific inverters or batteries, such as a Tesla Powerwall, may increase your overall cost.
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Should We Get Home Solar Panels
So, like many homeowners across the U.S., youve been thinking of installing solar panels on the roof of your home. Youve probably heard mostly good things, but you still have questions. How much will it cost to install a system? How much money will you save monthly on your utility bill? Should you lease or buy? How long will it take for the panels to pay themselves off? Fortunately, as a Southern California resident, this investment is one youre not going to regret any time soon. Lets go over the basics.
There are more residential solar energy systems currently in use in California than in any other state in the U.S. A June 2018 study conducted by Solar Energy Industries Association found that 16.68% of the states total energy comes from solar power. For Orange County, this is no big surprise we are privileged to 279 sunny days per year, making solar panels a super effective method of energy.
The cost of buying and installing solar panels is one of the primary concerns for homeowners, and for good reason. The price of solar installation is slightly higher in Orange County than the state average because homeowners tend to choose premium manufacturers such as Panasonic over smaller, lesser-known companies. On a positive note, the cost of going solar has fallen approximately 53% in the last five years, making it affordable for a much larger demographic.
What Size Solar Panel System Do You Need
The average home uses 905 kWh per month, or around 10,850 kWh per year, in electricity. That means that an average-sized home with a decent amount of sunshine could install a 5 kW to 6 kW solar panel system to help reduce utility bills.
You may want to learn about your sun number score for solar, which is calculated based on your homes location and average sunlight exposure. Also, explore the different solar panel dimensions and sizes with your contractor for more context.
The larger the solar panel system you install for your home, the lower the cost per watt will be. The cost per watt including solar panels, parts, labor costs, permits, and overhead is between $6 a watt and $8 a watt.
With solar panels, the money you save on your electricity bills can more than earn back your initial installation costs in seven to 20 years. Solar rebates and incentives when available from both the government and local energy providers can also help speed up your return on investment. You may also be able to participate in selling excess electricity from your solar panels a process known as net metering in your area.
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How Solar Panel Installation Works
Solar installation is a straightforward process. Your solar company handles almost every part of the process for you. First, the solar provider holds a consultation with you about your energy needs and homes design.
Then, it designs a solar power system based on your homes specifications and handles all required permits from your local municipality. Finally, the company schedules an installation day with you and conducts final inspections. Overall, this process may take 60 days to complete.
Watch our video below to get a better understanding of what the solar installation process entails:
Do Solar Panels Increase My Home Value In California
Yes, solar panels can increase your home value in California by up to 2%-3%. According to Berkeley Lab, in partnership with appraisers, universities, and Sandia National Laboratories found that home buyers are willing to pay more for homes with Solar Panels. On average, home buyers are willing to pay about $4 per watt of Solar installed. The study included various states and PV markets, housing, and home types.
This means home buyers are willing to pay $15,000 more for a home that has solar installed on top of it. For example: at $4 per watt, if you have a home with a 5kW solar system installed on it, that value is around $20,000 . So, with the average cost of a solar 5kW system in Arizona being around $14,700 your solar panels literally pay for themselves home value!
Co-author Sandra Adomatis noted, Our findings should provide greater confidence that PV adds a quantifiable premium to a wide variety of homes in California and beyond.
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What Type Of Panels Do You Want
For all the solar newbies out there, this may be a challenging question. Dont stress, your installer will be able to help you find the right type of panels for you. If youre still wondering about different types, heres a quick overview.
There are two main types of solar panels: polycrystalline and monocrystalline. Polycrystalline panels are less expensive because they are slightly older technology. Unfortunately, they are also less efficient. There are times when polycrystalline panels may work better for you, but nowadays, most people choose monocrystalline. Monocrystalline panels may be a bit more expensive, but they make up for that with increased efficiency.
The manufacturer of your solar panels could also affect the cost of your system. Just like everything else, bigger names often come with bigger price tags. In the same turn, you get what you pay for, so try to find a balance. Many solar installers will have a few options to choose from, just be cautious.
Keep in mind that if the price is surprisingly high or oddly low, you may want to get a second opinion. You dont want to overpay, but you dont want to end up with a low-quality system either. Look for something that falls close to the state average and you should be good to go.
Solar Panels In California From Quality First Home Improvement
Our licensed solar installers will visit your home for a free on-site solar inspection and discuss options. They will give you clear expectations of the installation process and the average solar payback period.
Unlike many home improvement companies in California, Quality First Home Improvement has years of solar installation experience. We are not new to solar power, and we are ready to share our expertise about whether solar is worth it.
Solar energy is a beautiful source of renewable energy. Solar panel installation in California is not only worth your time its the right thing to do.
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Solar Battery Storage Cost Breakdown
A solar battery system is one of the most efficient and economical ways to store energy from solar power. A battery bank can store excess solar power at night or when I do not need it.
I may be wondering how much it costs to install a solar battery bank. The initial investment will vary by size, but the average cost for installing a 6-kilowatt-hour system is roughly $3,000. However, battery storage costs decrease as more kilowatt-hours are added to my system.
What Should I Pay For My Solar
The range of pricing varies from more than $5/watt to under $3/watt. The price has little to do with equipment , and much more to do with installation methods, financing, and service. The best way to know what people are paying for solar in your zip code is by visiting the California Distributed Generation Statistics website. This is a goldmine of solar information.
How much do solar panels cost? Go to the California Distributed Generation Stats site right now and enter your zip code in the Find an Active Solar Installerbox. Enter your zip code to get recent installations and their price per watt. The results will give you the average price per watt in your zip code. I like to sort by price, both ascending and descending, and then I focus in the middle. Most systems priced under $3 are cutting corners somewhere, and that is coming directly from the California Public Utilities Commission and CSLB.
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What Direction Is Best For Solar Panels In California
The best direction to point solar panels in any location in the Northern hemisphere is due South, but its not a disaster if this cant be done. Professional installers can always find innovative solutions to this kind of problem.
A solar panel array can face Southwest or Southeast, and can even generate good amounts of power facing the West or the East. North-facing should really be avoided, because theres very little direct sunlight.
Savings Make Solar Worth It In California
There has never been a better time than now to invest in solar in California! You probably already know that utility costs in the Golden State are sky-high. But were you aware that the cost of installing solar panels in California is at an all-time low?
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