Solar Power For The Home: Benefits
A significant benefit to PV installation is a lower energy bill, but the magnitude of this benefit depends on the amount of solar energy that can be produced given the available conditions and the way in which utilities charge for electricity.
The first consideration is the solar irradiation levels available in the home’s geographical location. When it comes to using solar panels, being closer to the equator is generally better, but other factors must be considered. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory produces maps for the U.S. showing solar irradiation levels the tools on its website provide detailed solar information for specific locations within the U.S.
Similar maps and data are available in other countries as well, often from government environmental agencies or renewable energy organizations. Equally important is the home’s orientation for rooftop arrays, a south-facing roof without trees or other objects obstructing sunlight maximizes the available solar energy. If this is not available, panels can be mounted on external supports and installed away from the house, incurring additional costs for the extra hardware and cables.
The final benefit is the potential effect on a home’s value due to the addition of a solar array. In general, it is reasonable to assume that solar panels would raise the value of most homes.
How Much Do The Solar Panels Themselves Cost
So how much does an actual solar panel cost? Well, it depends on a few things: how powerful the panel is and who is buying the panels.
If you are not a solar installer and are considering doing a DIY solar panel installation on your home, you will likely have to pay retail prices for each panel. The general rule of thumb is that installers who buy in bulk pay around $0.85 per watt, while retail consumers pay around $1 per watt.
A typical solar panel ranges from 150-350 watts, so for this example well cut right down the middle and use a 250 watt solar panel.
If you are going through an installer, youre looking at around $212.50 per panel . If youre going DIY and buying panels yourself, youre looking at around $250 per panel . Keep in mind that this is before tax rebates!
Average Cost Per 250 watt Solar Panel: $212.50
Reduction In Energy Costs
Youll save between $650 to $1,500 annually. Over a 25-year period, youll save between $15,000 to $40,000 in energy costs. Cost ranges vary by regional differences in the cost of electricity and how much sun youll get. Dont expect to save as much in a darker northern climate as you would in southern California, Florida or Hawaii.
A great first step in determining which products are right for your home is to conduct a Home Energy Audit. A home auditor will do a detailed inspection of your usage and areas where you can improve to help you determine if you would benefit from a solar system. From there, a pro can help you to select the right location, size, mounts, and panels to maximize on savings.
Although you may hesitate to spend the money on the most expensive types of panels and mounts, it is good to remember that you will save money on the other side with decreased electricity bills. It could be that what you spend up front will pay for itself very quickly in your reduced monthly bills.
You can enhance your savings by selecting products with higher efficiencies and investing in track mounting. Track mounting will ensure that your system absorbs all the light it can, and high-quality panels will be able to capture and convert that light at a greater rate.
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How Many Solar Panels Are Needed To Run A House
Are you thinking about adding solar to your home? With over 2 million homes in the United States with solar now, many homeowners are recognizing how beneficial they are. If youre considering having solar panels installed in your home and not sure where to start, then youve come to the right place.
Were going to go over the details of how solar panels work and how many you might need for your home.
Lets take a look.
Solar Panel Cost For A 1000 Sqft Home
Solar panels for a 1,000 sq.ft. home range from $5,000 to $28,000 in total costs. If you have gas heating, no central air conditioning, and are away from home during the day, your needs could be very low. If you use electric heating, central air, or are home during the day, your needs will be higher. The shape and slope of your roof and the region you live in also play a role in determining your total costs. Sunny regions see more energy output from a smaller number of panels than regions that do not see as much sun. This means your total range can be very wide.
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Size And Shape Of Your Roof
This one is a double whammy. The contours of your roof impact both the number of solar panels youll need to generate the necessary energy for your home and the labor involved in installing them for maximum efficiency. For example, gabled roofs with high peaks create lots of nooks and crannies for shadows, and they can be difficult for solar installers to navigate.
Average Monthly Energy Usage
This is the big one, if were being honest. Your energy bill will determine the size of the solar system you need therefore the number of panels you will need. While the average U.S. residential solar system is in the 5-kilowatt range, your family might be especially thrifty, meaning you might need only 4 kW to power your 2,000 square foot home.6 On the other hand, if you have a large family that entertains often and has installed lots of amenities in that same 2,000 square foot home, you might need an 8 kW system and that will cost more.
What Is The Right Price For A Solar Panel Installation
The SolarReviews Editorial team believes a fair price for a professionally-installed solar system in 2021 is between $2.60 per watt and $3.20 per watt.
If you are being charged more than that, there are probably better offers available. However, if you are paying less than $2.60 per watt, you may run the risk of getting a low-quality installation or sub-par customer service. Not only that, solar companies that charge such low prices probably wont be able to earn enough money off of their sales to offer you the customer support you need for the 25-year lifespan of your solar panels.
Above all, you want to go with a solar company that has a good reputation and will be around for the long haul.
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Save On The Cost Of Solar Panels With Powerhome Solar
Theres enough solar installed in the U.S. to power more than 12 million homes. As one of the fastest-growing solar companies in America, its our mission to help you join that movement. Request a free quote today to learn more about how you can potentially save thousands on monthly energy costs with our premium, monocrystalline solar panels.
Contact one of our energy experts today to see how much you can potentially save and find out how much solar panels cost in your state.
Cost To Move Solar Panels
If you need to move your solar panels or remove them to have work done on your roof before reinstalling, this can cost between $4,000 and $8,000. Moving panels is difficult and requires carefully unmounting them, removing them, taking them to their new location, and then completely setting them up and rewiring them. This takes time, and like the initial install, it has a range of costs depending on things like the roof type, pitch, and location.
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Diy Vs Hiring A Professional Solar Installer
DIY kits fall around $1 to $2 per kilowatt. Considering that having the entire process handled by a professional contractor averages around $2.50-3.50 per kilowatt, you may not be looking at a lot of savings.
| Size |
|---|
| $25,000 – $35,000 |
*Pre-tax credit cost.
Going with a professional has many benefits and the price difference is often insignificant. A professional will be able to help you with design, will be able to get higher quality products and materials at a lower rate, and will also be useful in acquiring permits and tax credits.
I Cant Afford To Purchase A System Is Leasing Cheaper
Dont be fooled by the low monthly costs of solar leases. Over a twenty year period, you will actually pay much more than if you purchased the solar system. You wont receive the tax credit and its likely that leased system will be made with inferior equipment. Leasing also makes it difficult to sell your house because any new owners must assume your solar lease or you have to buy out the system
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How Many Solar Panels Will You Need
To know how many solar panels you will need, you will want to determine how much electricity you use in your home and the solar panel types installed.
The average house in the United States uses about 900 kilowatt hours a monthroughly 11,000 kWh a year. You can easily calculate your actual usage by looking back at your electricity bills. As a general rule of thumb
- A 3-kWh solar panel system will generate about 3,600 kWh 4,800 kWh per year.
- A 5-kWh system produces about 6,000 8,000 kWh per year.
- A 10-kWh system can produce about 12,000 kWh 16,000 kWh per year.
Depending on the size of the system, the solar panels cost would be between $4,000 and $16,000. Add in another $3,000 to $10,000 for other necessary components, such as racks for the panels, wiring, solar inverter costs, and the total solar panel installation cost would now be closer to $20,000.
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How Much Does Regional Climate Affect Solar Panel Installation Costs
The table below shows how much electricity 1 kW of solar panels installed on a southern-facing roof will produce, on average, in the following states:
You can find out how much is produced in the other states, and even down to your specific house, by using this solar power generation calculator.
Annual solar panel production per state
| State | |
|---|---|
| Utah | 1,570 |
As you can see, solar panels installed in the northeast will produce approximately 35% less power than solar panels installed in sunnier places, like Arizona. Solar panels in Arizona generate more electricity because the sun is typically always shining.
So, a home in Arizona that is using the same amount of electricity as a home in Massachusetts will need a system thats 35% smaller, simply because Arizona gets more sunshine.
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How Much Does One Solar Panel Cost
Solar panels normally retail for around $.70 to $1.50 per watt and range between 150 and 350 watts per panel, making the average cost of a single panel between $100 and $650. If you’re installing one panel, high-quality, high-output options are ideal. Here’s a look at the efficiency of common panel types:
- Monocrystalline panels: 17%-24% efficient
- Polycrystalline panels: 15%-20% efficient
- Thin/film panels: 7%-14% efficient
Many retailers sell panels individually and as part of a larger system. Its important to factor hardware and installation costs into your single-panel project as well. This portion of your installation can make up as much as 30% of your overall cost.
What Is The Roi On Solar Panels
You can calculate the return on investment for installing solar panels by calculating your total payback. Calculate the amount you spent to install a solar panel system and then figure out the amount you will save on energy bills monthly. These two numbers show how quickly your savings will cover your initial costs. Electricity rates will vary by region, being higher in the Northeast than in the Northwest. Solar tends to be more cost effective where electricity prices are high and sunshine is abundant.
40 percent of homeowners
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Solar Panels For A 1500 Square Foot House
The average home in the United States is roughly 1500 square feet. With a home of this size, the typical electric bill comes in around $100 month. In order to cover the electricity for this home, you would need an estimated 15-18 solar panels.
For example, a typical fridge may be rated for 250 watts and runs for 4 hours a day. 250 watts X 4 = 1000W. A 1k watt is equal to 1 kWh of energy in a day.
This, of course, is a general estimate and eclectic usage, sunlight hours, location, and the type of panels can change this amount.
Federal Solar Tax Credits And State Solar Incentives
When you own the home solar system, you are eligible to apply for up to 100% of the available federal and state incentives and rebates.
As this recent article in Forbes magazine explains, the federal solar Investment Tax Credit , which was scheduled to drop from 26% to 22% in 2021, will stay at 26% for two more years and not drop to 22% until 2023. For a $20,000 system, the 26% federal credit would be $5,200, compared to $4,400 under the 22% credit.
Several states also offer solar tax credits and solar tax rebates. People who own their solar system and/or battery in participating states may be able to claim these expenses on their local taxes or receive cashback on their installation. While you may be eligible for a solar tax credit or a solar tax rebate with the purchase of a home solar system, please remember that tax incentives are subject to change.
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Should You Lease Solar Panels
There are several payment options that bundle solar installation costs into a consumers electric bill, either as a solar panel leasing option or as a power purchase agreement . Solar leases allow the homeowner to install solar panels without paying anything up front reducing the overall solar panel cost. After the panels are installed, the homeowner pays only a flat monthly fee. The fee includes the installation costs, which are spread out over time, and the cost of electricity supply.
Certainteed Solar Panels Cost
The cost of CertainTeed solar panels is $2.72 a watt. This translates to $15,360 to $17,280 for a 6kW system fully installed. Like all systems, installation costs vary tremendously. Factors like roof pitch, location, shade, and panel type all impact the final costs. CertainTeed focuses on integrating solar into the roof of the home. This means they also have solar , which can improve the look of your home and provide solar energy.
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Solar Power In New York
Last fact-checked on January 23, 2020, byCatherine Lane
New York has an array of solar incentives available to home and business owners looking to go solar.
In 2014, New York announced a new strategy, Reforming the Energy Vision , to strengthen and modernize The Empire States energy system. Through REV, the Clean Energy Fund was developed to provide funding for programs such as NY-Sun, a leader in solar funding and financing options for the state.
New York is striving to reach aggressive renewable energy goals through their Clean Energy Standard. The goal is to derive 50% of the energy consumed by the state from renewable resources and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. It is likely that the state will continue to fund solar incentives and financing programs in order to meet these objectives.
The objectives of REV combined with an ambitious Clean Energy Standard and high utility power costs makes New York one of the best states to go solar.
How Many Solar Panels Do You Need To Power Your House
Find out by using the simple equation below.
At an average cost of $20,000 per system, residential solar panels are a sizable investment for most homeowners. If you’re thinking about going solar, you’ll probably have quite a few questions, including how many solar panels you’ll need to power your property.
In general, the average solar system for a home consists of 20 to 25 panels, but the exact number you’ll need will depend on numerous factors, including where you live, how much energy you typically use, and how much power your panels can generate.
It might seem like a lot to consider, but it’s pretty simple when you break it down. Let’s look at three key factors that determine how many solar panels you need to power your house, as well as an example of how to calculate the size of your system.
Bring your home up to speed with the latest on automation, security, utilities, networking and more.
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Solar Panel Installation Cost Data
The average cost to install a 7 kilowatt solar panel system on a home is around $21,000. When you take the 26% federal solar tax credit into account, that cost drops to around $15,500. The price could be even lower, depending on what other state or local incentives are available in your area.
If you are already familiar with the cost of solar energy installation and average solar panel savings and would rather know more about the steps involved in the solar panel installation process, you can read more about that here.
For those of you who are just beginning your solar installation research or just doing general industry research, our solar panel cost guide is a great place to start. We show the most up-to-date data of the average cost of a residential solar panel installation in each state and the average cost for systems using the best solar panel brands on the market, as well as labor costs.
The averages in our guide are great as a starting point for your solar journey, but theyre just that – averages. Those numbers wont be 100% accurate for your situation because your home probably isnt average. Each house is unique – houses in different states can be different, even houses in the same state are different!
For a more detailed estimate, you can enter your zip code in the calculator below and get all of our solar panel cost estimates, plus youll be able to see exact bids from solar companies in your area.
