How Much Is A Whole House Solar System

What Percentage Of Your Home Can You Power With Solar Electricity

Ideally, the answer to this question would be 100 percent. However, although a solar panel system can theoretically offset all of your energy use, its not realistic to expect that level of panel production every day of the week. Manufacturers and installers often recommend that homeowners factor in a 25 percent cushion when calculating their target for solar panel offset. The main reason for this: solar panels cannot operate at maximum efficiency all the time. There will be certain days when grid connection is necessary to fully cover your power usage. However, the beauty of net-metering is that you can benefit from surplus production days and never pay anything to your utility while still relying on the grid for backup storage.

Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells

The cost of monocrystalline solar panels averages $0.60 to $1.20 a watt uninstalled. This is the most expensive but most efficient solar panel type. It is highly aesthetic and works well in a variety of applications. This panel type is made up of cells that are formed from whole silicon crystals. The whole crystal, rather than the fragments that make up polycrystalline, makes these panels much more efficient. It also makes them longer-lasting in some applications.

Solar Panel Cost By State

As interesting as it is to look at the average solar panel cost in the United States, its also very helpful to understand what solar will cost in each state, as prices can vary significantly depending on where you live. Why? There are a number of reasons, but one important factor to keep in mind is system size.

In general, states where homeowners need to use air conditioning more often have more average electricity used per household. As such, some of the largest solar panel systems are installed in sunny, warm states like Arizona and Florida. Why does this matter? For solar installers, the larger your system, the less they will usually charge per kilowatt-hour . Its like buying in bulk at Costco you might pay a higher sticker price, but your per-unit costs are lower when you buy more at one time. Well dive into this phenomenon more below.

Back to solar panels. In the end, this very roughly translates to lower $/W pricing in warm states and higher $/W pricing in cold states. But in the end, total pricing is usually close to a wash warm states have a lower price per watt, but larger system sizes, and cold states have a higher price per watt, but smaller system sizes.

Cost of solar panels by state

You May Like: Can You Lease Solar Panels

Also Check: How To Connect Bluetooth To Sole Treadmill

Can A House Run On Solar Power Alone

Practically, it is not often possible. This is because solar only works when the sun is shining – which means when it is cloudy or nighttime, they do not generate electricity. There are some battery solutions to provide power during these times, but they still tend to be quite expensive. Most homes with solar panels still rely on the grid from time to time.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost For A 2500 Square Foot House

For a 2500 square feet house, installation of monocrystalline panels would cost between $17,000 and $36,400.

According to the Energy Information Administration , a house in the United States sizing around 2,500 square feet requires around 12,280 kWh annually, or 1,023 kWh per month.

It further adds if that house has ample roof space such that there is no shading during the day, it would need between 17 and 26 premium solar panels to produce required electricity.

Here, premium refers to a solar panels which has output wattage rating of about 400 watts . If we go with previous per kilowatt price , then installation cost range can be determined as follows

17 panels * 400 kW per panel * 2.5 dollars per Watt = $17000

26 panels * 400 kW per panel * 3.5 dollars per Watt = $36400

So it can be said that installation cost of solar panels for a 2500 square feet house can range between $17,000 and $36,400. Average cost, thus, comes out to be / 2 = $26,700.

Read my guide on solar inverter here.

You May Like: Can We Store Solar Energy

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost For A 1500 Square Foot House

For a 1500 square feet house, installation of monocrystalline panels would cost between $7,500 and $21,000.

It is hard to calculate exact cost of solar panel installation just by knowing house area. So previous energy bills must be seen to get a good estimate. As per such an estimate, one 1500 square feet house has 6kW load installed.

Survey shows that cost of solar power panels ranges between $2.5 and $3.5 per watt. In this way, we can say that 6000 * 2.5 = $15000 minimum and 6000 * 3.5 = $21000 maximum are needed to power a 1500 square feet house.

Anyhow, it must also be mentioned that a 1500 square feet house could have just 3kW load.

With this assumption, lower slab of installing solar power system becomes: 3000 * 2.5 = $7500. Resultantly, it can be said that for a 1500 square foot house, you need $7,500 to $21,000.

Read the detailed breakdown of solar tubes costs here.

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.

Recommended Reading: How Effective Are Solar Panels

Tesla Solar Installation Cost

Tesla solar panels cost $2.74 a watt. This translates to $14,940 to $17,940 for a 6kW system fully installed. Several factors impact the installation costs. These include your location, how much shade your property gets, roof pitch, and the panel and inverter types. Tesla makes a wide range of different panels and, in recent years, has aggressively pushed the market to make panels more widely accessible. They also carry a full line of batteries for those wanting to go off-grid.

Whats Your Homes Monthly Energy Consumption Rate

According to U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2019, the average annual electricity consumption for a U.S. residential utility customer was 10,649 kilowatt-hours , an average of about 877 kWh per month.

For the sake of simplicity, lets round that number up to 900 kWh per month, and lets assume that this number applies to most residential properties in the United States. If we divide 900 by 30, we can determine that most homes consume 30 kWh per day or 1.25 kWh per hour.

However, its important to remember that this number does vary depending on your homes size and the amount of household energy consumption activity. You may also find your homes specific energy consumption rate listed on your monthly electricity bill. So, be sure to check that out before making your own calculations.

Read Also: Should I Buy Solar Panels

Average Cost Of Solar Panels By Number Of Bedrooms

The number of bedrooms a home has is not a good indicator of its energy needs. But it can be a good gauge of the homes general size. If you are unsure of your size and want a very general understanding of what the costs would be to install solar energy, this can be useful information.

But every household has very different needs. The best way to determine your energy needs is to look at your electric bill for the month. Then decide how much you want to reduce your dependency on the grid to get a more accurate sense of the size and cost of your system.

Using An Ev Battery For Solar Storage

A new and emerging technology known as vehicle to home is slowly being implemented into some next-generation electric vehicles. EVs are essentially a very large battery on wheels and can store excess solar energy and power your home using a specialised charging system. A similar technology, known as vehicle to grid , has been trialled in several countries and can export energy from the EV to the grid when there is a high demand to help stabilise the grid. This uses a similar advanced home EV charging system called a bi-directional charger. Learn more about solar V2H and V2G technology in our EV solar charging explained article.

Basic energy flow diagram of an bi-directional charger using solar to charge an EV with V2H technology

You May Like: How Much Solar Panels Cost

Energysage Is Here To Help You Find Solar Panels For Home

Whether youre still doing your research, or youre ready to contact a provider and schedule installation, choosing to invest in residential solar panels can be a daunting task. But, its important to remember that your investment will increase the value of your property and pay dividends in the long run. If youre considering the pros and cons of solar panels for your home, get the answer to your most asked questionis solar really worth it? And, if youre ready to go solar, start comparing quotes by signing up for a free account on the EnergySage Marketplace.

Solar Panel Maintenance Cost

Solar panel systems usually require very little maintenance. Two or three times a year, they should be inspected by a solar panel company. A general solar panel maintenance averages $400. Some warranties require twice-a-year inspections, while others require more frequent maintenance. The panels need to be inspected and cleaned on a fairly regular basis. The technician will also inspect all the components to ensure everything is functioning properly.

Also, there may be other maintenance required on an as-needed basis. This can include replacing brackets or fixing the glass on the panels if it breaks.

Read Also: Do Solar Panels Add To Home Value

How Many Solar Panels Are Needed To Run A House Off

The number of panels in your system is tied to your homes power needs. The average off-grid home requires 7kW if you do not want to rely on a backup system or if you live in a very sunny climate. To produce 7kW for this home, you need 27 solar panels. This is an array. The panels may not be fixed to your roof because there are too many to fit. Arrays may be fastened on poles nearby or partly on a roof.

Evaluate Your Climate And Number Of Hours Of Sunlight

The climate in your area and the number of hours of sunlight you get each day will significantly impact the efficiency of your solar panel system.

If you live in an area with a lot of sun, you will need fewer solar panels for your house, but you will still be able to generate as much electricity as someone who lives in a less sunny area. Likewise, if you live in an area with many clouds, your solar panel system will be less efficient.

You can find out the average number of sunlight hours in your area by searching for sunlight hours online or contacting your local solar company.

You May Like: How Is Sole Proprietorship Taxed

Compare Your Solar Options: Rooftop Vs Community Solar

Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of the residential solar energy sector is the list of options for homeowners who want to go solar but do not have a suitable roof. Ground mount solar installations and community solar subscriptions are two common ways to access power from the sun without actually installing anything on your rooftop. Community solar involves connecting with members of a group or your neighborhood to share a solar system, while ground-mounted arrays are an easy way to own and install your own system while bypassing any roofing hurdles.

How Much Of Your House Can You Run On Solar Power

The amount of solar power that your solar panel system can generate is only one factor to consider when determining how much of your house you can run on solar power. The other factor is the efficiency of your system.

Solar panel systems are typically about 1520% efficient, which means that only 1520% of the sunlight that hits the panels gets converted into electricity. So, if you have a 30kW system, it will only produce about 4.5kWh of power per day .

Also Check: How Does Home Solar Energy System Work

Additional Factors Of Solar Panel Installation Cost

There are plenty of other factors that can impact solar panel installation costs. These include :

• The availability of solar panels in your area
• Your current electricity bill
• The current cost of shipping
• The number of providers competing for your business
• Supply chain issues
• Local electricity rates

The bottom line? You can learn the most by shopping around. Get a few different proposals from local companies, evaluate what services you might be interested in and ask about sales or specials. Familiarize yourself with the best brands of affordable solar panels if budget is your priority.

Find Out How Many Solar Panels You Will Need

Next, its time to roughly understand your solar needs, so youre well-equipped to compare solar quotes. We estimate that a typical home needs about 20 to 25 solar panels to cover 100 percent of its electricity usage, but the actual number youll need to install depends on many factors. Location, panel efficiency, panel rated power, and your personal energy consumption habits all play a role in determining how many solar panels you need. Importantly, the number of solar panels you need for your home directly impacts the price you pay for solar.

Recommended Reading: How Much Is Solar Power To Install

Are Solar Generators Worth The Money

If youre anything like us, the first question you ask yourself before making a big purchase is whether the product is worth the money. Many of us have been burnt by impulse purchases which ended up gathering dust in some dark corner.

To avoid buying things you dont need it is a good idea to do some research on the uses of the product youre interested in.

Solar generators can get quite pricey depending on the model you choose, and you might be wondering if the cost justifies the use. Below we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of buying a solar generator.

Tracking Solar Panel Mount

A tracking averages $500 to $1,000. This mount type is mostly designed for ground use on large properties. It is most often used in commercial settings rather than residential. These mounts follow the position of the sun throughout the day. In theory, it allows you to get the most sun and energy for your installation. However, some experts say that if you have this much space, it would be cheaper to turn a few arrays in another direction to maximize the energy rather than relying on the tracking mount.

Recommended Reading: How Much Does It Cost For A Solar Panel System

Start Your Solar Journey On Energysage

The best way to get the most competitive prices for solar is to compare multiple quotes. EnergySage is the nations online Solar Marketplace: when you sign up for a free account, we connect you with solar companies in your area, who compete for your business with custom solar quotes tailored to fit your needs. Over 10 million people come to EnergySage each year to learn about, shop for, and invest in solar. .

In Conclusion: Are Solar Panels Worth It

At the end of the day, the cost of solar is only as important as the return youll get from installing solar panels. For most homeowners, solar is a worthwhile investment, and you can break even in as few as 7 or 8 years. From that point on, youre essentially generating free electricity and racking up the savings. During those 7 to 8 years, youll be generating your own electricity instead of paying for electricity from the grid, and any extra electricity you produce you might be able to get credit for thanks to net metering policies .

Of course, just like the cost of solar panels varies by state, your payback period with solar will also vary depending on where you live. As a general rule, places where electricity is most expensive will lead to the most lifetime savings from a solar panel system. Check out our article about electricity rates and solar savings for a more in-depth explanation of how this actually works.

You can read more about the payback and cost-benefit of solar in our article, Are solar panels worth it?. Or, head to our solar calculator for an instant estimate of your savings potential!

You May Like: Is Solar Energy Bad For The Environment

Off Grid Solar System Cost

Taking your home completely off-grid with solar is a much more involved and expensive of a process than many people first think.

The setup requires various different components, some of which are much more complex than the more common grid-tied solar installation.

However, going completely off-grid with solar may be the only viable solution for a home thats located in the middle of nowhere, or when the owner wants to rely solely on their own energy solutions.

If this sounds like you, you may be curious about how much off grid solar system cost?

Assuming electric consumption is that of the U.S. national average, an off-grid solar system would cost between $30,392 $48,048. The major price fluctuation is largely due to battery bank type, with LFP batteries costing much more than flooded lead-acid.

Lastly, before we continue going into detail on each off-grid solar system component and its cost, we need to make sure you understand something.

Solar system cost is largely dictated by 3 things. Your country, peak sun hours, and electricity consumption.

The average price we gave above assumes you live in the United States. Costs in Australia for example would be much different.