How Does Net Metering Work
Simply put, if your home is able to take advantage of solar net metering, solar energy that is collected in abundance and not needed in your home will run through your meter and out to the grid.
A digital meter on your house records electricity moving in either direction as it comes into the house and as it leaves. The net part of the term means that the homeowner pays the net amount for the electricity used by the house minus the extra sold back to the grid.
In states where net metering is in effect, consumers can sell the excess solar energy they produce back to their local utility. That lowers their electricity bill, shortening their payback period and raising their cost savings.
According to Solar Reviews, homeowners in Delaware, New Hampshire, Oregon and Washington, D.C. can take the best advantage of net metering because of a combination of factors including policy, inclusion, fees and rollover policies.
Installation Factors To Keep In Mind
None of us wants to invest thousands of dollars in home improvements unless we’re sure it’s the best decision for our circumstances. Homeowners considering solar panels should consider these questions before continuing their renewable energy journey.
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Do you own or rent your home? If you rent, you can inquire with your landlord about installing solar, although renters are often prohibited from making the types of changes to the property that solar panels entail. Renters may be eligible for community solar programs, such as Arcadia, instead. A community solar subscription can provide bill credits from energy produced by solar panels at an off-site location.
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What is the shape of your roof? Roofs needing repair may be subject to additional upkeep before solar panels can be applied. The size and slope of your roof can affect the placement of panels and how much electricity a solar system can create. Roofs with a slope between 15 and 40 degrees are most efficient, according to the Department of Energy. A reputable solar installer will determine if your roof requires maintenance before installation.
- Where is your home? Yes, solar panels can generate energy under cold and shady conditions. But solar efficiency is improved when direct sunlight is available for at least part of the day. Living in an area with a lot of tree cover can negatively affect the amount of energy generated by a solar array.
Solar Installation: The Big Day
The actual installation is an exciting day for every solar homeowner who wants to rely on renewable energy as opposed to a utility company. The timeline for the installation will range from one to three days, completely dependent on the size of the system you are installing. One additional factor that can add time to your installation process is putting in a power meter for net metering. If your installer needs to add a power meter, this will add a few hours to your solar panel installation.
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How Much Does Solar Panel Installation Cost In India 202: Key Factors
A thunderstorm finds its way to your city and the wind speed crosses 100 kmph what happens to your solar system?
Multiple shadows from surrounding structures keep lurking over the solar panels what of the solar power generation then?
These arent unlikely situations at all. Interestingly, they can all be taken care of if the solar system is installed in the right way. Which brings us to a couple of the most sought-after questions what is the solar panel installation cost? And most importantly, what factors affect the cost of installing solar panels for home?
Find yourself in the league of people with such questions? If so, this in-depth post will walk you through every single thing you need to know about solar power systems, their components, the solar panel installation cost, and a lot more.
Dive in!
What Is The Solar Panel Installation Cost In India
Solar panel installation cost depends on the following factors:
Since there are so many factors involved, it should be well clear that the solar panel installation cost will vary from project to project.
The overall solar panel installation cost range in India is:
- A 1 KW solar system: Rs. 45,000 to Rs. 70,000
- A 2 KW solar system: Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,40,000
- A 3 KW solar system: Rs. 1,35,000 to Rs. 2,10,000
- A 4 KW solar system: Rs. 1,80,000 to Rs. 2,80,000
- A 5 KW solar system: Rs. 2,25,000 to Rs. 3,50,000
- A 10 KW solar system: Rs. 4,50,000 to Rs. 7,00,000
Please note:
- The above-mentioned cost to install solar panels on house does not include any value-added service that you might purchase.
- The solar power installation cost would also vary according to the AMC contract you choose.
- Always discuss these specifics with the vendor before making a purchase so that you know the exact solar panel installation cost you will have to pay.
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Estimate And Compare Residential Solar Panel Costs
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 costs 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 5-kW system costs from $3 to $5 per watt, according to the CSE, which results in the $15,000 to $25,000 range. That cost is before any tax credits or 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 reduce 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.
Get Your Solar Panels Installed
Finally, the big day arrives. Your solar installer will show up and begin preparing your roof, specifically by verifying that all tiles or shingles are securely attached. Then, the installer will place the wiring thats needed to connect your residential solar system to the electrical system.
After the wires are placed, your installer will place racking, which is used to hold the solar panels in position. The panels are placed into the racks, and the inverter is connected to the panels.
If you have a battery bank, your installer will also set that up. To learn more about a top solar battery, read this article on the Generac PWRcell home battery. One of the most common questions about installing solar panels is how long the work will take. It all depends on the size of your home and the scope of the solar panel installation, but you can anticipate a timeline of one to three days in total. If your solar system is properly designed and planned out, this step of the process should actually be the most straightforward.
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Permits And Documents: The Logistical Paperwork Required For Your Solar Panel Installation
As with any big financial decision, installing solar panels involves a lot of paperwork. Luckily, most of this paperwork is dealt with by the installer regardless, its always a good idea to know whats going on behind the scenes of your solar installation. One of the main things youll be applying for will be state and federal solar incentives such as the federal ITC, local solar programs, clean energy financing initiatives like PACE, government rebates and solar renewable energy certificates .
In addition to applying for incentives, you will need to fill out other paperwork like building permits during the solar panel installation process. These permits are specific to where you live. For example, certain states require that a roof has three feet of clear space surrounding the solar panels, whereas other areas of the U.S. will allow you to install panels across the entire surface of your roof. Your installer will know the restrictions and requirements of the states in which they operate, and can help you figure out which permits you need in many cases, the installer will fill out this paperwork for you.
The time frame for this step is mainly dependent on how long it takes your installer to get it all finished and submitted. If youre eager to get your panel system up and running immediately, just make sure to follow up with your installer to check on the progress of your paperwork.
S For Solar Panel Installation
Before getting into how to install solar panels, there are a couple of caveats to keep in mind. First, installing solar panels requires intimate knowledge of solar technology, as well as basic skills in electrical work and in engineering. In other words, youâll likely want to avoid DIY solar panel installation and leave the process to professional local installers.
The second thing to consider is that solar panel installation wonât happen overnight. After you buy solar panels, there are a few steps in the installation process, and each one is essential for ensuring a reliable renewable energy system.
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What Extra Costs Should I Prepare For
There are a range of additional costs that could apply in residential projects. Fortunately as part of our online quote comparison service we ask installers to advise what they would charge for the common extras that come up. See below table to see if any of these common items would apply to your home:
| Extra Cost |
Find out about Solar Panel Maintenance and Cleaning!
How Much Will I Save On My Electricity Bill
To work out how much you will save on your energy bill, you first need to work out what the right system size is for your needs. As discussed above, you save money by offsetting the amount of electricity you are buying and by selling electricity for a feed-in tariff. As there are different rates for buying and selling energy, understanding how much solar energy you will be self-consuming is important in estimating your savings.
Using the Solar Choice advanced calculator we have created the below 5 scenarios which looks at the savings from different system sizes with some typical assumptions made on energy consumption. We suggest you have a play with one or both of our free to use calculators:
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Assumptions:
- Solar panels installed in Sydney at 30 degree slope to north. See examples of output of systems from Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart or Darwin
- Electricity price of $0.25 per kWh and a Solar Feed-in rate of $0.07 per kWh
- Electricity usage is focused in mornings and the evenings under the double peak profile
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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 daily.
Modernize recommends discussing these factors with a trusted solar contractor. For ease, bring your electric bills with you to a consultation or calculate how much energy you use per day ahead of time by taking your monthly kilowatt usage and dividing it by 30. For context, the average house in the United States uses about 900-kilowatt hours a monthroughly 11,000 kWh a year.
Ultimately, the number of panels you purchase matters because it contributes toward the amount of kW of electricity produced each day. In turn, the more of your electricity costs you want absorbed by solar energy, the more panels you will need. If you only want a portion of your power to be produced by solar panels, you wont need as many panels.
A Good Solar Installation Is Critical
A bad installer can take good brands like the ones above and make a dogs breakfast of the installation.
Such systems not only look crap but can be unreliable, under-perform and be unsafe. Remember solar systems can have up to 600 volts running through them. The install quality is critical.
To get a better understanding of how a great solar power system installation looks click here.
If you are sourcing your own quotes, weed bad installers out by:
- Checking multiple review websites. Some reviews websites are easier to game than others.
- Look at the 1-star reviews. These tell you a lot about the true culture of the company. All companies make mistakes but some companies make lots of really bad mistakes. Avoid them.
- Looking for consistency in ratings across Facebook, Google, SolarQuotes and other review sites. Look for a difference of less than 0.2 stars on their average ranking. Inconsistent average scores is a red flag they are gaming one site.
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How Do Solar Panels Work
A solar photovoltaic system changes sunlight into electricity. Sunlight is caught by the solar panels and converted into usable electricity by the inverter. This can then be used to power appliances in your home directly, or stored in a battery for use later when the sun is not shining. If not used or stored, the excess electricity is directed back to the grid. Learn more about energy storage.
Some Options For Increasing Self
Increasing your self-consumption of solar energy will reduce your energy bills. To improve your return on investment you can consider applying a timer on common household appliances, such as:
- Electric hot water system
- Swimming pool pump
- Underfloor heating system
You can buy programable wall-socket timers from a hardware store for under $50 or an electrician can install one for you.
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Solar Panel Installation: Five Main Steps
There are five major steps to a solar installation that your chosen solar company will generally follow: the engineering site visit, finalizing permits and documentation, ordering necessary equipment, installing the solar panels, and lastly, approval and interconnection.
Take Advantage Of Government Incentives
A recently passed federal law incentivizes homeowners to make clean energy enhancements, like installing rooftop solar. A substantial update to an existing energy-related tax break that was set to expire at the end of 2023, the Residential Clean Energy Credit allows taxpayers who have solar installed to recoup 30% of the cost in the form of a federal tax credit.
What that means: A solar setup that costs $15,000 would yield a $4,500 credit that you can take advantage of come tax time to reduce any federal taxes owed. The credit isn’t refundable though, meaning any money left over after your full tax bill is covered wont be paid out to you. But you may be able to apply the remainder of the credit toward taxes owed in subsequent tax years.
The credit applies to eligible equipment installed after Dec. 31, 2021, and remains in effect at the 30% rate through 2032. It decreases incrementally after that.
Depending on your state, you may receive extra incentives like cash back, property tax exemption, waived fees and expedited permits. In some states, homeowners with solar panels can sell excess power to their local utility companies. Look up credits available in your state by reviewing the database of state incentives for renewables and efficiency.
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How Much Will Solar Panels Cost For Your Specific House Based On Your Location And Energy Use
While the average price of solar is interesting, your house is unlikely to be average. What you really need to know is how much solar panels will cost to install on your particular house given its location, electricity usage, and what kind of savings and payback period can you expect.
SolarReviews has developed a very sophisticated solar panel cost and savings estimator that can answer this question for you based on your local weather, your local utility rates, and the prices of your local solar companies.
Calculate how much solar panels will cost for your house based on your location and current electric bill
We get it – $12,000 isnt pocket change. Luckily, there are many zero-down solar financing options available, like solar loans, that allow you to go solar and start saving the minute the panels are turned on, without having to worry about any large upfront costs. We recommend solar loans rather than leases because you keep the solar tax credits.
With solar leases the leasing company gets the tax credits and, if you sell your home, the buyer needs to accept the assignment of the solar lease. With a solar loan, you own the system and so this is not necessary.
Note for new solar enthusiasts: Solar system capacity is measured in watts and kilowatts. One kilowatt is 1,000 watts. The kilowatt rating of a system is a measurement of the maximum generation capacity of the system.
Install The Solar Panels
Once the frame has been attached, the installation of the solar panels can begin. The panels are clamped to the aluminium frame but not too tightly at first, in order to have some space to adjust them slightly later. Once all panels are set up in their position, they are firmly secured to the frame.
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