In the United States, there are over 2 million solar panel installations. This means that more and more people are realizing the benefits of having solar panel technology on their homes.
But how much do home solar panels cost? If you’re thinking about buying solar panels, you’ll definitely need to know about the cost and if it’s worth it for you.
Thankfully, we have a great guide on home solar panels and pricing, so make sure you keep reading!
Average Solar Panel Prices
Keep in mind that the solar panel price can vary across companies, locations, and houses. But in general, the average cost to install solar panels on your home could range anywhere from $9,000 to $28,000.
If you had a 1,500 square foot home and needed a 6kW solar panel, this could cost you around $18,500. In general, the price per watt ranges from $2.50 to $3.50. However, this will vary depending on where your home is located.
The best way to figure out how much it will cost you is to contact a few different companies and get a personalized quote.
Additional Costs
When you choose solar panels, there are normally additional costs as well. This is important to know to factor into your total budget. When you ask for a quote, make sure that these costs are included.
You’ll likely have to pay local labor costs. This will vary depending on what area you’re in and what installer you go with.
You’ll also have to pay for any fees, like local permits, inspections, or taxes on the solar panels. You may have to install a solar inverter as well. These change the direct current power from the panels into alternating current that you can use in your home.
You’ll also want to consider the cost of installing a solar mount. These mounts are racks that will hold the solar panels. There are a few different options for these as well.
This might seem like a lot of money to spend on solar panels. However, with more and more people installing solar panels, the price to install them becomes cheaper, and it may even become cheaper in the future.
Installation
There are many factors that will determine how much you’ll pay to install solar panels on your home. One of those factors is the installation timeframe.
In general, it takes about one to three days, depending on how big your house is. The installers will need to make sure that the shingles and roofing tiles are all attached properly. They’ll also have to connect wiring to your power system.
Next, they’ll install racks. If your panels are on your roof, they’ll also need to include support equipment like an inverter.
They may even install a battery, which can store extra power if your home doesn’t get any sunlight or has an outage one day. This battery ensures that you’ll still have power running to your home.
Roof
The price could also vary depending on what your roofing situation is. Your solar installer will factor in the price for how difficult it will be to install the panels.
So if you have a roof with a complex design or structure, expect to pay a little bit more.
Location
Your solar panel installation will also depend on where you live. Most solar companies will use monocrystalline panels, which can absorb energy regardless of where you live.
However, if you live in a state that gets a lot of sunlight year-round, you could use photovoltaic panels. So if you lived in Texas, for example, you would likely work with Blue Raven to get those panels installed.
The type of solar panel based on location will be an important factor. However, another important location factor to consider is the legislation. While sunnier states have more solar power output, the rate of solar investment tax credits will also make a huge factor in the total cost of your solar panel installation.
For example, California has more incentives to install solar panels than some other states, so if you lived there, your installation would cost much less.
Panels and Equipment
The cost of the system will also depend on how many panels you want to install.
On average, a home solar panel system is around 5kW. But if you have a larger home, you should get a 6kW system. The number of panels you’ll need will depend on how large your home is or how much electricity you use.
When you get home solar panels, you’ll also normally need an inverter. You could go with a generic one or have a brand name inverter, but this will also increase the cost of the solar panels.
Interconnection
You’ll also want to consider any interconnection fees. In general, you’ll have to get solar permits and pay fees on any documents to get your solar panels connected to a grid.
There could be a time lag and extra costs to do this, but the process is very easy to do. Plus, the Department of Energy has a SolarApp+ that makes it very easy to apply, and the cost shouldn’t be too high.
Learn More About: How Much Do Home Solar Panels Cost
These are only a few factors to consider when wondering, “How much do home solar panels cost?” But there are many other pricing factors to consider, especially the labor.
Installing solar panels is a very intricate process, so it’s always best to hire someone who has experience doing this.
To read more on topics like this, check out the Home Tech category
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