Average US House Solar Panel System Install Cost 

We all want solar, and it is the way of the future.  It's a cost saver and a planet saver.  Renewable energy is the path to a cleaner planet for our generations to come.  You may be ready to take part in this fantastic solar revolution, but you may fee prohibited by the forecasted photovoltaic (PV) solar panel cost, or perhaps fearing the installation costs.  The best way to conquer fear is to know thy enemy.  And, in many cases of research of solar energy costs, you will find that solar panel and installation costs are much more friendly than thought possible.  Let's explore some typical cost scenarios and see if we can help you feel great about jumping into the solar revolution head first.  

In the United States, a great rule to follow is that holding the understand that the ordinary house consumes electricity at the rate of 1 kW per hour (kWh). The typical month is equal to 730 hours, and the average price of a kWh of electricity is $0.10. Therefore, an average monthly bill would be approximately $73 for 730 kWh of power.

Solar Energy Cost Variation

Variation is merely an effect of multiple market factors.  So,  if you have non-standard items such as a jacuzzi, or electrical appliances like a pinball machine running ceaselessly, you may find some high energy costs and usage at the end of each month. Long-term computer use, plasma screen TVs, and video games consoles can also have a significant influence. Your usage will progress significantly at times you run an air conditioning unit. Finally, the cost of electricity varies widely across the USA, from as low as $0.07/kWh in West Virginia to as much as $0.24/kWh in Hawaii. You’ll have to modify my guidelines accordingly because they employ to an average home with average usage and average electricity prices.

Standard Solar Factors For Cost

One moderate variable to apply as a solar panel’s generating size is 10 watts/sq. ft. This factor represents a standard panel conversion capability of about 12%. So, for every kW you produce, you need about 100 sq. ft. of solar panels. If the sun was in the direct line of sight of your solar panels for a 24 hour day, you could put up 100 sq. ft. of panels and have adequate energy to power a typical home in the United States.

But, as we all know, the sun is available only during daylight hours, and the amount available per day is highly dependent on the extent of cloud cover. Also, the length of each day is dependent on the season. Fortunately, there are resources on the web to help you figure out how many hours per day (on average) you can count on the sun to shine, based on where you live.

State By State Solar Cost Differences 

U.S. averages range from approximately 3 hours per day in states such as  Chicago, and Pittsburgh.  Also, one might find the average to 5 or 6 hours per day in states like Colorado and California, to a high of 7 hours per day in Arizona. The cumulative relation is that the size of the panel array needed can vary from 400 sq. ft. to 800 sq. ft. (i.e., 4 kW to 8 kW), depending on where you live. You’ll require more panels if you live in a location that gets less sunshine per day, and fewer if you live in a location that gets more.

You may have heard of net metering for individual solar panel installations and system purchasing.  If your energy company permits net metering, then they supply you with a distinctive meter that will rotate backward when you generate more electricity than you use.  And, this indicates that your annual bill can average out at zero. As the seasons, so does energy consumption. Because of shorter days in the winter, you’ll likely be a net purchaser of electricity in that season and a net producer in the summer months. A grid-tied system like this is different than off-grid systems used in remote locations with no electrical service; those require batteries, which can significantly increase overall system prices.

At this current moment, an installed solar panel cost lies between $7-$9 per watt: A 5 kW system would cost about $25,000-$35,000. Several utility firms offer considerations, and some contribute as much as 50% of system costs. Indeed, at half the price, a system that generates an average $75 of power per month could also take a long time to pay itself off.

Here is a schema of payback to take not follow.  If you spend $18,000 on a solar panel system, and it has a payback period of about 20 years, then the cost of a solar panel today is around $3 per watt, and the extra cost of installation brings costs up to $5- $6 per watt. These are considerations to pay attention to when creating a plan for what kind of system you want to buy, and how much you want to spend.  Thinking about solar installation for the long-term is how you can achieve those savings and find your way toward making a cleaner planet for us all through your use of renewable energy.    

If you want to move into the future and join the solar revolution, or if you want to find out what solar panels are right for you, go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. You can see how much a system will cost, and how much you can save over the next 20 years. 

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.