Frequently Asked Questions About The Cost Of Solar
Solar energy cost has plummeted in the past decade. The average cost of solar panels is less than half what it was ten years ago.
As of the time we updated this page , most solar panel prices fall in the range of 60 cents to 70 cents per watt. Premium panels can climb above $1 per watt depending on their size, quality, and where they are manufactured. Our solar panel calculator uses standard size panels to estimate the cost of your system.
Solar panel installation cost varies by provider. A turnkey solution will charge 100-200% the cost of equipment to perform the installation.
If your 6.6 kW system costs $10k in equipment, they may charge you $20k for the installation, bringing the grand total for the project to $30,000.
The other option is to buy direct from a distributor and either install it yourself or hire a local contractor to do it for you. If you choose the self-install solar panels, we have instructional videos and a brilliant tech support team to walk you through the project. Some people spend less than $1000 installing their own system .
Even if you hire a local contractor, theyll charge you somewhere between 75 cents and $1.25 per watt. Theyd install the system above for around $6000-$7000, which is less than half the amount youd pay to a turnkey installer.
Thats why youre here! Our solar power calculator takes the information you provide about your energy usage patterns and returns our best guess about how much solar energy you might need to generate.
Using Solar Photovoltaic Panels To Help Power Your Home
Solar photovoltaic systems are comprised mainly of solar panels, inverters, breakers and mounting equipment. A solar panel generates power by converting sunlight to direct current electricity. Inverters are then used to convert the direct current electricity to alternating current electricity to be used in your home.
There are two main types of solar PV systems:
- Grid-tied systems, which feed alternating current electricity directly to the local grid
- Off-grid systems, which store direct current electricity in batteries for later use
It’s important to note that any grid-tied systems require complex electrical connections and must be approved by BC Hydro before installation to ensure safety and effective operation.
Learn more about net metering options for residential and commercial customers looking to connect a small electricity generating unit to the BC Hydro distribution system.
Are Any Hidden Costs Involved
No. At least, there shouldnt be.
Depending on the solar installer you choose, some of the always-required steps such as installing a solar meter, filing paperwork for local network approvals, and conducting an inspection show up as surprise costs to homeowners.
For the best experience, go with a solar energy service that includes these fees in the base price, and that provides a full appraisal and explanations of every part of the plan. This way, you can rest assured that all proper groundwork is laid, and you wont be caught off-guard by sudden expenses.
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Captain Green Solar Packages
One of the best ways to stay well and truly on top of how much does it cost to install solar panels and choose the most cost-effective route is to do your research and invest in a solar panel package. Solar panel packages mean that everything that you require for a new solar panel system is included from the solar panels to the inverters, the entire installation process and the workmanship warranty.
Captain Green are Australias leading solar panel provider. We specialise in residential, commercial and battery storage with Sydney and Regional NSW, servicing the entire state and supporting the move to regenerative energy. Established in 2010, we are one of the countrys longest-running solar panel companies tried and tested for more than ten years across the nation. We have installed over 240,000 panels across Australia and will continue to provide exceptional solar services over the coming years, as more Australians enjoy the benefits of solar power.
If youd like to learn more about what is the cost of installing solar panels, do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team at Captain Green. A CEC accredited company, were always happy to answer your questions and provide a helpful, professional, no-obligation quote on how much to install solar panels. Call us today on 1300 361 682.
How Much Does It Cost To Install Solar Panels
The average cost to install solar panels in the United States is about $12,000 after federal tax incentives. On the low end, you can install a smaller system for around $5,000, while a high-priced Tier 1 solar panel system can cost $40,000 or more.
There are additional costs that go into an installation project beyond the price of panels. In fact, only about a quarter of the installation costs are actually for the panels. Labor costs, operational costs and additional equipment, such as inverters and control circuitry, make up the rest of the price.
Solar energy companies install the solar panels, provide maintenance and offer warranties on both the panels and the work. These additional services arent free, but they are often worth it. A few additional factors affect the price of solar panel installation.
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How Much Does A Hybrid Solar System With Battery Storage Cost
When you see the average price of a residential solar system, like the one we mentioned earlier in this article, its usually talking about a grid-tied system. So, an average 7 kW system will cost $21,000 not including battery storage.
Hybrid systems include a battery backup, so with the purchase of a battery, you can expect to add another $10,000 to the cost of the installation. This would bring the average cost of a hybrid system to around $31,000 before the federal tax credit. After the tax credit, the system cost will be around $23,000.
Of course, the installation price will vary, based on the brand of battery you purchase and how many batteries you install. The Tesla Powerwall, for instance, costs $10,500 for 13.5 kWh of storage, while the LG Chem costs around $9,000 for 9.8 kWh of storage.
Why Solar Panels Are Bad
Solar panels are bad for the environment because toxic chemicals are used in their manufacture. The fabrication processes have waste products which can be harmful to human health and the ecology. Old solar panels may become toxic waste due to the heavy metal content of the solar cells and other contaminants.
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Understanding The Solar Investment Tax Credit
As we alluded to earlier, the ITC has been an overall boon to the expansion and health of the solar industry. As of 2021, the ITC reduces the cost of installing solar panels by 26%, and its a large reason the solar industry has consistently experienced a 42% annual growth rate for the past decade.
Unfortunately, the residential ITC is set to completely expire by 2024, with the ramp down already happening now. Thankfully, solar panel installations costs overall have decreased during the life of the ITC, but the solar panel industry is still preparing for a slowdown in installations in the short-term future. Therefore, if there was any time to consider solar panels for your home, the time is now. The discount is only going to decrease.
Does It Actually Pay To Go Solar
Lets do the numbers!
We are going to assume that you own the home and purchase solar .
Remember that solar increases home value at about $4.00/watt.
We sell most systems at $4.50-$5.00 per watt. Lets average at $4.75/watt. Thats before we add in the tax credit.
Lets add the tax credit in.
$4.75/watt * 70% = $3.33/watt
$3.33/watt. Thats how much you pay when you factor in the 30% tax credit
You pay $3.33/watt and your home increases in value by about $4.00/watt
Lets apply that to an average 4kW system.
Net Cost: $13,320 with tax credit
Equity Increase: $16,000
It pays to go solar
If you own the system!
And we havent even calculated the short-term bill savings, long-term returns, selling high and buying low with NEM Time of Use.
The positives just keep adding up.
I want to ask you: What is the number #1 thing you learned from this article?
Answer down below in the comments, and Ill be sure to read and reply to you.
Feel free to ask any questions you might have too!
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Cost To Install Solar Panels On A Roof
The average cost of installing solar panels on the roof of your home is between $15,000 and $21,000 for a 6kW system. Roof installations are the most common. They do not take up additional space and cost less to purchase and install. They are difficult to access and clean, however. And if you need to replace your roof, you must have the panels reinstalled. They are also difficult to expand over time, so if you need more panels, you may run out of space.
Are Solar Panels Worth The Investment
Thanks to the lower-than-ever cost of solar panels and various solar incentives, solar panels are a cost-effective investment for the majority of homeowners that will provide an excellent return on investment.
Not only do they lower your energy bills, but you also get to power your home with clean renewable energy and reduce your dependence on your local utility company.
Even though spending up to $20,000 is daunting, federal incentives eliminate 26% of solar system costs after 1 year. There are also various ways to finance a solar system – from solar loans and leases to PPAs – so you can pick whichever option that works best for you.
Plus, solar panels provide significant utility bill savings in most areas. An average home solar panel system can save between $1,000 and $1,600 per year on electricity bills depending on the states net metering policy and the homes energy consumption.
Actual solar savings will depend on the system size, the cost of electricity, home energy usage, and what net metering policies are in place, but the average solar homeowner can expect their solar payback period to be between 8 and 11 years. After that, theyll be enjoying completely free solar electricity for at least 15 more years!
If youre still not convinced, you can use our solar panel calculator to find out how much solar costs and can save you for your specific home based on your average electric usage and prices in your area.
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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.
What You Should Know About Off
- Off-grid systems are more expensive due to the added costs of the battery banks and charge controllers.
- Battery banks are one of the highest lifecycle costs of an off-grid solar PV system as they require regular maintenance and/or replacement to ensure optimum system performance and longevity.
- Depending on the type used, batteries have a life span of anywhere from 5 to 10 years. Speak with a professional to understand your battery options for your specific application.
- Off-grid systems need to be sized appropriately to ensure that the battery banks are being used at its maximum capacity throughout the year.
- Consider hybrid solar PV/diesel generator systems for remote locations to ensure an adequately sized solar PV system and reliable power even during long periods of cloudy weather conditions.
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Solar Batteries Are Expensive But May Be Worth It For Those Who Use A Substantial Amount Of Electricity
A solar battery can store any excess power generated by your solar panels that you don’t use at the time, rather than exporting it back to the grid. They aren’t cheap costing about £2,100 for a three kilowatt-hour battery.
The savings you make on your bills can be significant, though. The price you’re paid for each unit of energy you export to the grid is usually much lower than the price you pay your supplier for electricity. So, economically, it makes more sense to store the energy and use it yourself with E.on saying a household with a battery could use 30% more of the electricity they generate themselves.
Another potential advantage of a battery is that it can increase the rate you get paid for exporting your electricity back to the grid. Some firms will pay many times more than the standard amount if you buy certain types of batteries. See what firms pay.
The battery isn’t all about what you generate yourself, either. If you’re on a flexible ‘time-of-use’ energy tariff, with cheaper electricity overnight for example, you can charge the battery at cheaper times from the grid and use it to power your house during more expensive hours.
How Much Does Installation Of An Off
Off-grid solar systems are much more expensive than both grid-tied and hybrid solar systems. Off-grid systems require more solar panels and more battery storage capacity because there is no grid for you to fall back on during times of low solar generation or high electric use.
A typical off-grid system for a family home that wants to live a relatively normal lifestyle is in the range of $50,000-$70,000 before the federal tax credit and $37,500- $51,000 after deducting the current 26% tax credit.
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What You Need To Know About The Cost Of Solar Panels In Alberta Bc Saskatchewan And Nwt Solar Power System Long
How much do solar panels cost? The golden question.
The answer is its quite variable. Numerous factors must be considered such as your roof area, azimuth, pitch, budget and solar power capacity. We will discuss all of these and outline general costs of solar panels.
You might be wondering how the azimuth/pitch affects the cost of solar panels, isnt it just one lump sum cost?
It is one lump sum cost to buy a solar energy system, but how much energy the system produces over 25+ years will affect your overall economics which is arguably much more important. Lets break it into two separate categories:
The first category is the cost to buy solar panels for systems of various capacity .
The second category is more in-depth and will outline the long-term economics of solar energy systems in Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan and the rest of Canada. This is extremely important for calculating your ROI, and payback period. In this category we will work through a real example.
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.
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How Many Solar Panels Will I Need
Its very important to get the right number of panels for your home as this is the starting point to find out how much a solar pv system might cost. The number of occupants in your household will influence the size of the system required as well as the size of your property.
Below is a list of the rough amount of roof space you might need to fit a solar PV system. These sizes are not strict guidelines and this is especially important to know as different manufacturers produce panels of slightly varying sizes. A skilled solar installer will be able to give you an estimate of the size and price of a solar PV system for your home. You can get free, no-obligation quotes through our simple form.
| Solar system size |
Get Free Solar Panel Quotes: Get quotes and compare prices.
Utility Bill Rate Design
Good electricity rate design allows you to save money when you save energy. This might sound intuitive but not all provinces are same. Superior designs have low fixed monthly fees and tiered electricity rates. Inferior designs have high fixed fees and flat electricity rates.
Alberta score near last in this respect having flat rates and high fixed monthly fees averaging $40.
For example, reducing your electricity bill from 1,500 to 750 kWh per month will save you 54% on your electricity bill in British Columbia, 48% in , but only 41% in Alberta!
Note that fixed monthly fees dont disappear even if you switch to solar youll pay them as long as you remain connected to the grid. But this isnt a bad thing $40/mo is a small price to pay for using the grid as your back-up energy source!
The only way to completely remove your fixed costs is to go off the grid, something most homeowners in Alberta dont do because of high battery costs.
Disconnecting from the grid also means that you wont be able to participate in the your utilitys net billing program.
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