Residential solar panel installation cost

The whole process can be described in six steps: Purchase your solar panel equipment. The two most important pieces of equipment in any residential solar power system are the panels and inverters. Your installer will likely make recommendations about both, but most people find that understanding how solar panels work makes it easier to decide which solar panels are the best for them.

A solar installation engineer will visit your property. After you sign a contract, the first sign of progress in your solar panel installation is meeting an engineer at your home. They will make sure that your roof can support solar panels' weight and check your circuit breaker or electrical panel. Fill out paperwork. Your installer should handle most of the complicated paperwork — federal and state tax incentives and rebates, PACE and other clean energy financing initiatives and solar renewable energy certificates SRECs — but you should be aware of what is getting filed where.

In addition to helping you apply for state and federal incentives, your installer should also be knowledgeable about local building permits and restrictions and may even fill out this paperwork for you. Let the pros do all the heavy lifting.

The actual solar panel installation takes only a few days at most. Next, electrical wiring is installed that connects your panels to your power system. Racking is then attached to your roof to support the panels, which go on top of the racking. Finally, inverters and control circuitry, which convert solar power into usable electricity, are connected to the panels.

One last check. At this point, the inspector looks for faulty wiring or violations of electrical and roof setback codes. Flip the switch. Finally, your local electric company sends a representative to officially connect your new solar panel system to their grid.

Find a Solar Energy partner near you. Zip code. Take a quiz, get matched with an Authorized Partner! Did you find this article helpful? Read More. As the summer heat starts taking its toll, the idea of installing a home solar panel system starts to make more sense for many homeowners Going solar is one of the best ways you can personally combat climate change and make a positive impact.

But with climate change comes more The process of transitioning to a solar-powered home can be overwhelming for some. From identifying the right solar panel hardware to ensuring that you are taking The solar industry waits with breath abated. Asking a solar installer the right time to buy solar is much like asking a real estate agent when to buy a house.

The answer But if the industry does not police itself better and make sure the search for profit is Zero Upfront Cost. Best Price Guaranteed. Why Use a Solar Calculator?

But the consumer gains other advantages. At the end of the contract, homeowners can renew, purchase the system, or have the solar panel equipment removed.

Solar power may be simple in concept, but in application it can be bewildering. Take the time to gather the pertinent information —about house size, local solar insolation, existing electric rates, and consumption.

How it works. Plan Your Project. Home Accessibility. Home Security. Home Warranty. Hot Tubs. Kitchen Remodel. Medical Alerts. Stair Lifts. Walk In Tubs. Find local contractors. I'm a contractor. Manage your Project. Ready to start your project? Enter your zip to find local pros. Tell us about your home improvement project.

Answer a few questions about your needs and preferences for your upcoming project. However, a good rule of thumb is that you should expect a solar installer to charge roughly one dollar per watt to install your system. Of course, these rates should only be used as a rough guide — your actual solar panel installation cost can vary considerably. There are a couple of ways to reduce the overall cost to install solar panels on a house. First off, as we mentioned earlier, there are several different methods of financing a solar installation.

If you find a good deal with a low down payment and a reasonable APR, for instance, you can drastically decrease your solar panel installation cost. Additionally, choosing a trustworthy solar installer will reduce future costs related to incorrect installation methods, and most reputable installers will also provide a warranty on their services. These in-depth articles will help you make informed decisions.

Take more control over your power bill and see how much you can save with solar! Your Name required. Your Email required. Your Message. Consider How Much Sunlight Your Home Receives Peak sun hours are another aspect in which your location determines the average cost to install solar panels.