How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
The Most Common Question
How much do solar panels cost? This is the most common question that homeowners have when thinking about going solar. The good news is that with the increase in demand for solar power and the advancements in technology, the price of solar has significantly declined over the years. Plus, with federal and state tax incentives, solar power is now an affordable alternative to conventional utilities. There has never been a better time to go solar.
Solar panels are just one component of the overall cost of going solar. Included in this cost is additional hardware, installation fees and permits. It is important to understand that you aren’t just buying solar panels—you are buying a complete conversion to solar power.
You’ll often hear the term “solar system” when looking into solar. A basic solar system includes:
Solar panels
Mounting equipment
DC-to-AC inverters
Wiring and fuse box connections
Utility power meters
Storage batteries
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Depending on the size of your home and energy needs, the cost of a solar system can vary. Solar panels themselves are priced per watt. The watt price reflects the quality of the panel—the higher the quality, the higher the price. At Solaria, we think quality matters because we want your investment to last. Lower quality panels are more prone to failure and can be costly to fix. Investing in high quality panels, like Solaria’s, will give you peace of mind that your solar system will do its job for years to come.
Your local installer is really your best bet to get the most accurate estimate of the cost of a solar system for your home. A local installer will look at the size of your home, the positioning of your roof and shading, and your electricity bill to figure the wattage output and number of panels your home needs. Local installers also have knowledge of the climate which can impact your decision to include a battery in the system. Like panels, batteries range in price depending on the size and quality; this can have an impact on the overall cost of your solar system. We can help you connect with a local Solaria Pro Partner installer to get a quote.
Installation fees are another component of the cost of switching to solar. Generally, installers will charge based on per watt installed. Depending on where you live and the complexity of your solar system, installers charge around $2.50-$4.50 per watt. The cost of permits and other paperwork to switch to solar is also dependent on where you live. Again, your local installer will guide you through this process to make it as smooth as possible.
There are a lot of factors that go into the cost of solar. The up-front costs may seem overwhelming but remember there’s a payoff—a significantly reduced energy bill and for some, no energy bill at all. Don’t forget to factor in any federal and state tax incentives, which can lower your overall costs quite a bit. Your local installers are a great resource to better understand how these incentives work. At Solaria, we have hundreds of Pro Partner installers that are experts in solar installation, incentives and system pricing. Request a Quote from one of our installers to get all the information you need to convert to solar. Also, check out our handy Solar Savings Calculator to get an estimate of how many solar panels your home will need and the savings associated by investing in Solaria’s panels.
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