How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
How much do solar panels cost? We get this question from homeowners a lot. The truth is that the cost of solar varies based on many more factors than just the price of panels or government subsidies. The cost for you to get solar panels will likely be different than for your neighbor. Here are some of the biggest factors that will impact solar costs.
How much electricity you use
When you go solar, don’t think about it as paying for equipment; really, you’re paying for the electricity your system will produce for the next 25 years. If you use more electricity, you’ll need more panels, which means that you’ll have to pay more. Generally, solar is a great option for people with high electricity bills because you can save a lot by locking in a lower rate.
Your roof construction
You might not have thought much about the shape of your roof, but slope, direction and roof material matter for solar. If the flat parts of your roof face south-north rather than east-west you’ll get better sun and won’t need as many panels, which means it will be less expensive for you.
Certain types of roofs are easier to install on than others. For instance, if you have an asphalt roof, it will be easier to install panels than if you have a ceramic tile roof.
The amount of sun on your roof
It’s not enough to live in an area with a lot of sun. To get maximum value from solar panels, that sun actually has to hit your roof. If you have lots of trees or tall buildings near your home, check to see if and when they shade your roof. Shade on your solar panels can greatly reduce the productivity of your system. The way that solar panels work mean that even a small amount of shading on your roof can make your solar panels a lot less efficient. If you have a lot of shade on your roof it’s quite possible that it won’t make economic sense for you to get solar.
The age of your roof
If you think you’re going to need to re-roof your home in the next 5 years, it probably makes sense to do it before you get solar. If you decide to re-roof after you’ve gone solar, it’s not the end of the world. The panels will be removed, then reinstalled.
How you pay for it
You can choose to pay for your solar panels upfront, which can cost you anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the factors above. Or, you can choose one of the new financing options like SunRun solar financing which will allow you to pay less to get started (closer to $1,000) and get solar energy as a monthly service.
Government Subsidies
The U.S. government will pay you to go solar. The federal government tax credit runs through 2016, but many states have rebates set up that decline over time. The sooner you go, the more money you’ll likely get back from the government.
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[...] How Much Do Solar Panels Cost? [...]
Well, as the solar panels price is down a lot, I think many familier can afford to buy them nowadays.
Sometimes, I just don’t know what to think anymore.
yoooooooooo how much would solar panels cost for a walmart?