How Much Solar Panels Cost

Review Your Electric Bill

Solar panels generate their own power and can therefore greatly offset your monthly electricity bill, if not eliminate it. The higher your bill, the more likely you’ll benefit from switching. But you should note that electricity rates and usage the main charges on your statement are volatile.

“If a utilitys electricity prices fluctuate, so could the amount of savings,” says Garrett Nilsen, deputy director for the U.S. Department of Energy’s solar energy technologies office. “Similarly, if energy consumption changes, the amount of savings can also vary.”

Visit the EIA website to view the most recent prices per state.

Things To Consider With Solar Panels

Calculate your sun exposure, costs and savings. In some parts of the country, solar panels will save more money and add more value to your home than in others. For example, someone in Seattle might not get the same value from solar panels as someone in Phoenix because of the disparity in sunshine.

To estimate your savings, you first need to know how many kilowatt-hours you use and how much youre paying for them. The average household pays about 13 cents per kilowatt-hour for 877 kilowatt-hours each month, according to 2019 data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Then, figure out what size system youll need. You can use the Solar-Estimate calculator to see how many panels your home would need and how much energy they would generate.

Solar Panel Roof Tiles Cost

Solar panel roof tiles have a cost per watt of $2.72 on average. These are also known as photovoltaic shingles. They blend seamlessly into your roof rather than mounting on top of your roof. Therefore, they are more aesthetically pleasing, but they have slightly higher-than-average costs to install and require an entirely new roof.

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How Much Does It Cost To Install Your Own Solar Panels

According to the CSE, a typical residential 5kW system costs between $3 and $5 per watt when installed, which results in a range of $15,000 to $25,000. There are no tax credits or incentives associated with that cost. The amount of money youll need to pay for solar panels depends on how much energy you use at the moment.

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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Polycrystalline Solar Panel Price

Polycrystalline solar panels cost between $0.50 and $1 a watt uninstalled. The biggest benefit of this panel type is its low cost. Many people choose not to use this type because it is large and not very aesthetic when mounted on the roof. String ribbon solar cells are a type of polycrystalline panel. You may see that name on the panel. Polycrystalline panels are made up of cells that are constructed of many fragments of silicon crystal. The fragments make it less expensive, but it is the least efficient panel type when producing electricity.

Thats Great But What About The Solar Panel Installation Cost For My Home

If you are curious about how much solar panels cost, it generally depends on a few factors. These include:

• The size of your home solar system
• Whether you buy or lease
• Whether you qualify for federal, state, or local incentives and Whether you install a battery

When installing solar on your homes roof, there are several factors to consider.

Electricity needs How much energy you currently consume will directly relate to how big of a solar system you need and how many panels you need to support your homes energy needs.

Where you live How much sun exposure your homes roof gets will directly correlate to how much energy your solar system can produce and will impact how many panels you need for your home. More sun means more energy produced and a greater potential to save with solar.

Choice of solar panels – Better panels produce more energy more efficiently. The efficiency of the solar panels directly impacts the savings you can experience.

Roof angle – In solar panel installation, it is important to angle the solar panels so they can get maximum exposure to the sun. This is not a problem when the roof is angled, but it can be if the roof is flat. Houses with irregular rooflines, skylights, and challenging angles can make installation more complicated.

Purchasing options and incentives The payment option you choose will affect your costs, as well as your eligibility for incentives.

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Estimate Residential Solar Panel Cost

The brunt of the expense with solar panels is in installation and the purchase of the actual panels.

» MORE: Compare solar loans and apply

Minimal long-term expenses can make up for the upfront costs. Most systems dont require much maintenance and are designed to last for 20 years or more with little change to the amount of electricity produced, Nilsen says.

When calculating the total price, consider how much energy you regularly consume your usage is listed on your monthly utility bill and what size system will generate the amount needed. Some tools, like the SolarReviews calculator, estimate the system size for you.

With installation, an average residential 5kW size system costs between $3 and $5 per watt, according to the CSE, which results in the $15,000 to $25,000 range. That cost is before any tax credits and incentives.

If you know your current energy usage, you can calculate how much youll need to pay for solar panels.

» MORE: Calculate your monthly payments on a solar loan

Then comparison shop for solar panels as you would other big-ticket items, such as a car or TV, says Vikram Aggarwal, CEO of the solar marketplace EnergySage. Some companies lower installation costs through rebates and other programs.

Aggarwal recommends getting quotes from three to five contractors. EnergySage compiles solar companies customer reviews, certifications, Better Business Bureau profiles and other information to help you find reputable providers.

A Solar Monitoring System: $150$1000+

Realistically, though solar monitoring is optional, it probably should not be. Through the use of a solar monitoring system, you will be able to get live feedback on your systems performance and efficiency.

This will allow you to detect and resolve any hardware issues promptly. Generally, it is going to let you squeeze every ounce of efficiency out of your panels, meaning that you will save more money over time.

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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.

Example Pricing For The Average Home

Just looking for a ballpark price? For a 3-bedroom home with a current electricity bill of $150 per month, we might recommend a small sized 4,000 watt solar system with 15 or 16 solar panels.

WANT A CUSTOM DESIGNED SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM AT THE LOWEST COST? START DESIGN

As you can see, there are several ways to get solar panels to power your home or business. The lowest cost approach is a do-it-yourself solar panel installation. A 4kW PV system could cost under $6,000 including professional design and all components. You still get the manufacturers warranty and keep all the tax credits or rebates.

The next approach is to use professional installation for your solar panels. By adding permits, installation and warranty for labor, the net price could be around $10,000. We can provide you with a custom solar panel design, all the hardware components and technical support. Then you can find your own contractor. Our solar prices are 42% lower than the industry average with this approach.

The most expensive price for solar panels is with a solar lease or power purchase agreement. Here you have no upfront cost, but you will be locked into a $110 monthly payment for up to 20 years. The total price for a 4kW leased system could be $30,000 over the lifetime. This lease estimate is based on a Price published by SunRun.

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Solar Panel Costs Are Declining Over Time

As solar panel costs are declining by roughly 2% per year, this means that they are slowly becoming more and more affordable.

At one time, going solar was financially unfeasible for the vast majority of people. The market has changed so much that we are nearly at a point where virtually everybody will be able to afford solar technology.

The following chart shows how rapidly the cost of solar has fallen over the past decade.

Evaluate Your Sunlight Exposure

More sun means more energy produced and a greater potential to save with solar. Certain states, like Arizona and California, average more sunlight hours per day.

Your home’s orientation toward the sun, the amount of shade and its roof type also affect a solar system’s output. You can estimate the efficiency of panels in your area by using the SolarReviews calculator. Enter your address and the average cost of your monthly energy bill.

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Solar Panels Can Create Big Savings

Ultimately, regardless of whether youre looking at finances or carbon emissions, a solar panel system will generate big savings for homeowners. As the first data table illustrates, 20-year electricity savings from solar can be significant, ranging from the low end of $10k to almost $30k. The deciding factor will primarily be the cost of electricity, which varies significantly depending on where you live. Nonetheless, a good rule of thumb is if you live in a state with middle- to upper-level utility rates, solar will be a risk-free investment with major returns. On the emissions side, as panel system size increases, so do the CO2 reductions in the surrounding environment, making solar an eco-conscious investment. If youre looking for customized estimates not only around potential solar savings but also around the cost of a solar panel system, try our Solar Calculator. If youre ready to start looking at quotes and installation costs from pre-screened solar contractors in your area, check out the EnergySage Solar Marketplace.

What Adds Up The Cost Of Solar Power System For A 1500 Square Foot House

There are many factors which could result in adding up cost to your solar panel installations. For example, if panels are to be installed at a roof space where direct sun light doesnt illuminate for a long time, larger solar array with more panels would be needed to fulfill your energy requirements and thus shooting the costs up.

Or maybe there is a tree or building nearby which blocks your panels from getting full sunshine exposure. This would also hinder your panels from working efficiently and adding up the cost.

Or maybe there is a tree or building nearby which blocks your panels from getting full sunshine exposure. This would also hinder your panels from working efficiently and adding up the cost.

Labor cost or solar company charges might also contribute to this cost. There would be little maintenance costs also for your solar panels. Maintenance is recommended two to three times a year and costs very little. Yet it is something to be considered before installing solar panels.

There are some other electronic components needed to make your solar panels be useful asset like power inverter, charge controller, solar battery etc. These all individual units add up the cost of overall solar system.

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Are Solar Panels Worth It

Solar panels are only going to be worth it if you use them properly. Your solar panel cost will be completely wasted if you do not adhere to the following rules.

• Your solar panels must be south facing.
• Your solar panels must be angled optimally.
• Your solar panels must be placed onto a roof that has been deemed to be completely structurally safe.
• Your solar panels should ideally cover 100% of your energy costs.

It is important to understand that going solar is not a viable option for people who want to make immediate returns on their investment. Instead, it will save you a considerable amount of money over time but only if your panels have been installed properly. We will now look at the above areas in greater detail.

Cost Of Solar Panels For A 2

The cost range for installing solar panels for a 2-bedroom home is between $5,000 and $28,000. The average size of a 2-bedroom home in the U.S. is just over 1,100 square feet. With 2 bedrooms, it is reasonable to assume that 2 to 3 people live in this home. The costs to install are similar to that of a 1,000 sq.ft. home. Your costs can be higher or lower, depending on your energy usage. The more electricity you use each month, the higher the installation cost.

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How Much Do Solar Panels Cost To Lease Should I Buy Or Lease Solar Panels

Buying solar panels will always be far more advantageous than leasing them for a wide number of reasons.

• Solar leases and loans have built-in escalation clauses that mean you will be paying significantly more over time to use your panels than you would if you purchased them outright.
• You will never own the panels if you lease them unless you pay a hefty balloon payment at the end of your solar agreement.
• Solar leasing can prove to be problematic for those who wish to move and can lead to additional costs being incurred. Your home value may also be negatively affected.

The only benefit of leasing is that you do not have to pay for the installation of your solar panels yourself. Compared to buying though, you are simply not going to see the same level of savings through leasing. We have covered this topic in comprehensive detail in one of our other posts if you would like to take an in-depth look at this subject.

What Are The Labour Costs

When you are given a quote for your solar panel system, labour costs are typically included. There are two common ways of calculating the labour costs for solar panel installations in the UK.

One way is to calculate approximately £300-£500 per person, per day. As it usually requires two people to install the system, a final installation fee is normally £600-£1,000. If you are installing a larger system, it may take more than one day and the costs will naturally rise.

Another way to calculate the installation fee is to charge 20 pence per watt. So, for a 4kW system, you would be paying 20 pence for 4000 watts, resulting in £800.

Also Check: How Many Kilowatts Of Solar Power Do I Need

Solar Panel Cost In Canada

Thanks to the advancements in technology and the push to go green, more home and business owners are making the switch to sustainable, clean energy. A solar system harnesses the energy from the sun to power our homes. Over the years, solar panel cost has steadily dropped, making it more available and easier to install.

That said, the cost of solar panels is a significant investment that requires the right commitment and a period of waiting to see a return on that investment. While the benefits and value that solar offers often outweigh the cost, its important to understand the breakdown. Depending on where in Canada you live, the price of a solar power system will vary. What wont vary, however, are the benefits offered by going solar.

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.

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