Solar Panel Prices: How To Estimate Cost And Identify Low Cost Alternatives
You are considering a conversion to solar electricity in your home. Immediately you wonder "How much is this going to cost?" Consumers often make the mistake of thinking the cost is related to their home's size, but that is probably the least significant factor in determining solar panel prices. Granted, a bigger house will sometimes use more energy and have more roof space, but those generalities aside, the home's size is a minor consideration.
More important is the amount of direct sunlight you receive on your southern exposure (i.e. geographic location), the amount of power you consume and the amount of that consumption you plan to replace with solar power. The combination of these factors will determine the number of panels needed and therefore impact the price. Also, different panels have different efficiency ratings. Efficiency rating describes the amount of power the panels can generate per square inch. It quickly becomes clear that you must first know how many panels you need before individual solar panel prices are a concern.
With that having been said, you can estimate solar panel prices at around per watt. Do the following calculations to determine how many total watts you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
Are solar panel prices ever going to come down?
They've been around for a long time, it would be nice if ,like other technologies photovoltaic cell cost would slide.-
ANSWER:
They are coming down and more states are helping with rebates. My break even time frame is about 6 years for my system, it would have been closer to 10 without the rebates. If you consider my system is guaranteed for 25 years, I'll be getting 19 years of free energy and the electric rates go up at least 5% annually.There is anothe way to make it more affordable. Several solar companies are offering lease options. Most lease rates are based on your current electric rate. With no up front costs you lock in your electric rate for 20 years.
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QUESTION:
Solar Panel Prices - What's The Cost To Build Or Buy A Residential Solar Panel?
I'm keen on building my own solar-powered alternative energy system in place this summer.-
ANSWER:
A single solar panel with 12V electric output costs between 0-250 to buy or build. Most of these are the portable variety (which cost less) and is a good way to reduce dependence on your utility company and generate your own electricity.A residential solar panel mounted on rooftops costs more -- like the 185-watt Mitsubishi panel which costs 20. But with states like CA, MA, IL, AZ (and a lot others) giving you tax incentives up to 30% the installation cost, the reasons for going green are becoming more and more better.
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QUESTION:
What is the cheapest solar panel price per panel?
I'm building a treehouse and thought of giving it solar power, and I was wondering where to get the cheapest panels.Please include the price per panel!-
ANSWER:
here ya go, http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?category=&q=solar+panel
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QUESTION:
Will a solar panel ever pay for it self in electrical savings, at market prices? ?
I bought a solar panel, it cost about 400 dollars , when the sun is shining it makes about, 50 watts , then I have to buy the inverter and the batteries , at market prices, will it ever pay for itself? They say it will last about 10 years. And how about a windmill ?-
ANSWER:
You need in average 30 years to recover the investment of a solar energy system, this makes it economical unfeasible in most cases.The solar system will not probably last that either.The only case where solar energy is economical feasible is where you do not have access to the grid, e.g. remote location.
In some countries where government wants to promote a green politics, the hardware is provided a low cost (green benefit), this makes it economical feasible for the final user.
Another way to make it economical feasible is to start from scratch thinking solar e.g. before building your house. If you buy and build everything; appliances, walls, heat systems and so on, thinking in how to do the best use of solar energy, thus you can get a nearly economical feasible system.
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