Solar Power Cost
How Much Does Solar Power Cost?
.jpg)
Chances are you’re interested in solar power for a lot of good reasons- becoming energy independent, using an energy source that is more environmentally friendly, etc.
But at the end of the day, it’s an unfortunate fact that most of us have to make the decision about whether we are going to start using solar power for ou
r houses based on how much it will all cost us. While solar power systems are a true investment, their upfront costs can sometimes make even the most ardent supporter of the planet shy away. However, things can be much more affordable if you adopt a DIY approach for some or all of the work.
>>Learn how to keep solar costs low with this great guide<<
Solar Electricity Systems
Most people who are interested in solar power are primarily concerned with creating full solar energy systems to provide electricity for their houses. The cost of your solar energy system will depend greatly upon the complexity of the system and how much electricity you require it produces. Naturally, the amount of electricity you require for your house will depend greatly upon how energy efficient your house is. Have a look at our solar power design and solar savings pages to find out more about calculating your requirements.
On the upper end of the spectrum, a house that is not energy efficient and which utilizes conventional appliances and electrical systems will require a solar system that will cost around $40,000 to purchase the needed panels to have those panels installed. For reference, energy efficient houses are likely to only require half of that at most. If you are simply looking for a supplemental energy producing system, than you can get by paying around $10,000 total.
These figures are based on paying a contractor and buying complete solar panels. If you feel a little adventurous you can take on part, or all of the job yourself. For example, a 100 W solar panel purchased at a speciality store will probably cost you upwards of $300. If you buy your own solar cells and invest a little bit of time, you could build a panel for 1/4 of this. That means a saving of upwards of $5,000 on a 2 kW system. Even if you hire a professional to do this installation, thats quite a saving on the materials! A complete step-by-step guide to go about building a panel is available by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.
Solar Heating System
Solar heating systems are the second most popular and prevalent use of solar energy in most households, though they tend to actually be more expensive than solar electrical systems. Still, due to increasing fuel prices that are likely to continue to rise well into the future, solar heating systems often make back their increased price tag just as quickly as solar electrical systems.
The cost of a solar heating system can vary massively depending on your requirements. They can cost as low as thirty thousand dollars, and can also run over one hundred thousand dollars. The biggest considerations are the size of your home and the complexity of the system that you require.
It’s also important to remember that solar heating systems never meet a home’s total heating needs, due to both limitations of the technology as well as building code regulations.
Making it All Back
Remember what I said at the beginning of this article- the solar power cost you pay is an investment. When factoring in the savings that are given to your through tax credits and incentives, and when taking into consideration the cost savings on heating and electrical costs, most solar power systems pay themselves back well before the end of their lifetimes. The most efficient and effective solar systems can even pay themselves back within just a few years, though this number will vary greatly depending on the cost of your system and the precise savings that it provides. Simply remember that while the above prices may seem excessively high, like all good investments it will pay off in time, and a lot of the initial cost can be offset by doing some of the work yourself.