Cost of Installing Solar Panels (Real Cost) Home Solar Installation, Storage

Instead, the cost of installing solar panels relates to the actual installation process of your overall PV system.

The total cost can be described as a ratio… the panels themselves are about one fourth of the total cost. The rest of the cost is installation and storage (batteries).

By understanding these expenses, you can steer clear of going over your budget for your new solar energy system without making major compromises on your equipment.

To assist you with this journey, this complete overview of the cost of installing solar panels explains the full expense (real cost), which includes home solar installation, storage, and other requirements.

How Do You Learn the Cost of Installing Solar Panels?

When you are looking for the general price information for a PV system, it’s important to know how these costs are calculated in the first place.

This helps you understand the general mechanism of solar installation prices.

From there, you can explore options for saving money without undermining your needs. This way, you can reap all the benefits of residential solar energy while staying within your budget.¹

Solar panel costs are generally divided into two categories. These include:

• Panels and equipment
• Installation

The following sections give you a quick overview of how each of these costs are calculated.

Solar Panels and Equipment

This section of solar panel cost includes your solar panels as well as associated equipment that helps you generate, store, and utilize energy. These costs may vary according to how many solar panels you purchase and which type of equipment you require.

The additional equipment costs include accessories such as battery, inverter, and charge controller.

Generally, the panels will be about 25% of the total cost, with addition equipment running about another fourth. So, while technically, you can save a huge amount by installing solar panels yourself, unless you are a certified electrician and experienced contractor, you’ll need to pay the pros to do the installation work.

Your solar panel and associated equipment cost is mainly tied to your energy requirements. This means that if your household has high energy consumption, you may need more solar panels with higher wattage as well as pricier energy storage equipment.

Because of this reason, you can only do so much to reduce the costs of your solar panels and equipment. With that being said, shopping around for low prices in your area, choosing between different types of solar panels, and looking for available tax breaks can go a long way toward saving you some money.

For this purpose, you can speak to PV system providers in your area or check local solar installation prices online.

Solar Energy System Installation

This category covers expenses that let your solar energy system become functional through proper installation.

This ensures proper exposure to sunlight for your solar panels, safely transfers the energy to your associated equipment, and goes a long way toward proper energy storage.

These costs may also vary due to factors such as the structure of your home and the location of your solar installation. For instance, if you have ample space in your backyard with direct sun exposure, you may easily install your solar panels on the ground.

But if a nearby structure blocks sunlight to your backyard or if there’s little to no free space in it, you might need to install your solar panels on the roof.

As a result, choosing different installation methods or performing the installation yourself can be an effective way to reduce costs. You can decide which approach is the best for you after having a detailed consultation with a local PV system provider.

Due to these factors, when you want to learn the cost of installing solar panels, you have to figure out the collective price for both of these categories. Generally, when you reach out to a solar energy system provider, the price that they outline to you covers both of these aspects.

Which Factors Influence the Cost of Solar Panels?

The factors that influence the cost of solar panels include but are not limited to:

• The overall energy requirements of your property
• The size, wattage, and amount of solar panels that you need
• The associated energy equipment for your PV system
• The installation requirements for your property
• The area that you live in

You also need to understand that the upfront costs of solar installation may always come down to a high amount. But that is where you can consider the life-cycle cost of solar panels.²

This way, you can determine how much money you can save over the years through a PV system.

Does the Cost of Installing Solar Panels Vary by Location?

Your location certainly affects the cost of solar installation.

It’s because factors such as cost of living, standard rates of service, and available state tax credits can influence the overall cost of a PV system in a significant way.

By talking to local PV system providers and getting personalized quotes, you can get an idea about the average cost of installing solar panels in your area.

The place where you live also affects the rate of return that you get from your solar system. For example, if you live in Idaho, you may get your electricity at the rate of $10.79 cents per kWh.²¹

But if you live in Hawaii, the rate increases to $42.26 cents per kWh. That is why, if you use your PV system in Idaho, the overall money that you save each month will be less than what you might do in Hawaii.

What Is the Average Cost of Installing Solar Panels in California?

The average cost of installing solar panels in California may range a bit over $12,500 and $17,000.

You can further lower this price by benefiting from the federal solar tax credit that reduces 30 percent of your solar installation costs to you in the form of a tax credit.

While California does not have a state tax credit program, the California Solar Initiative does offer net metering that lets you distribute generated solar energy to the grid and earn energy credits in return.²⁸

Is the Cost of Installing Solar Panels on Roof Different From Installing Them on the Ground?

The average cost of installing solar panels on roof is different from installing them on the ground.

Roof installation is usually better for the environment and less money, if your roof pitch will accommodate the panels.

With that, you might also be interested to know that the cost of installing solar panels on certain types of roofs is higher than others.

For example, if you install a PV system on a flat roof, solar panel costs may be higher than installing them on a traditional shingle roof.²² If you are aiming for the right angle to get the most amount of shade, the use of movable mounts might also add to your costs.

By speaking to a local PV system provider, you can get personalized suggestions on which installation angles are ideal for your property and your roof’s exposure to sunlight. Once you approve these recommendations, your provider can manage the process for you.

Is Solar Energy Expensive?

Solar energy installation can seem expensive due to its upfront costs which may range between $15,000-$25,000 in most cases.¹³ But the life-cycle cost of these solutions makes up for this hefty investment.

When you install a solar energy system, it cuts down your electricity bills to a significant degree and also saves you from the cost of investing in additional backup generators.

With the availability of federal solar tax credit, you can also enjoy the return of 30 percent of your solar installation costs in the form of a tax credit, while the availability to finance or lease your PV system also adds a layer of ease to the mix. When you compare the cost and benefit, the seemingly expensive solar energy systems more than makeup for their initial cost.

Why Are Solar Panels So Expensive?

The answer to the question, “Why are solar panels so expensive?” is that they are made from costly materials such as silicone. The specialized manufacturing process further elevates these costs and ends up putting a hefty price tag on top of these solutions.

But due to their ability to cut down energy costs year after year, solar panels remain a sought-after solution for you to live a more affordable lifestyle. You can learn how much do solar panels cost in your state to determine how soon you can make a return on your investment.

Are Solar Panels Worth It?

When you plan to install solar panels on your property, the first question that comes to mind is about the long-term value of a PV system. T

he short answer, buying solar panels for your home is completely worth it.

The long answer, solar panels provide you with an array of benefits that go beyond cost-saving.

Fulfilling your energy needs through solar installation allows you to enjoy the following perks.

Reduced Energy Costs

When you don’t use power from the grid all the time and utilize the energy that you store through your PV system, you can immediately see a stark difference in your energy bills. You can start noticing this cost-saving benefit from the very first month of installing your solar energy system.

Lower Carbon Footprint

Solar panel installation can reduce your carbon footprint to a significant degree. While solar panel manufacturing results in high carbon emissions, these emissions are offset by the constant use of solar panels to produce renewable energy.

You can also learn about the carbon footprint solar panels bring to the table and understand how they make up for it for years after their installation.

Backup Power Supply and Off Grid Power

If your grid power supply gets interrupted due to faults, breakdowns, or weather-induced issues, you can rely on your PV system to cover your energy requirements for a noticeable period.

This can save you from spending extra money on other solutions such as backup power generators.

Moreover, you won’t suffer from rolling blackouts.

Increased Property Value

If you find yourself asking, “Does solar increase home value?” The answer is a big and resounding ‘Yes.’

As long as you are mindful of all the factors that make an increase in home value possible, you can easily benefit from this perk of installing a PV system before you sell your home.

By considering these advantages, you can understand that the cost of installing solar panels is definitely worth it for most homeowners. This can give you the confidence that you need to move forward with buying and installing your very own PV system.

Cost of Installing Solar Panels: Average Solar Panel Price, Equipment Expense, and Labor Spend

The overall cost to install solar panels depends upon your panel’s price, your equipment expenses, and your installation spending.

This means that in order to calculate the total costs of your solar installation, you have to consider various factors that are integral to a PV system.

Solar Panel Installation Panel Cost

When you are installing your own PV system,³ your biggest concern might be the solar panel cost itself. But before you look for a specific number, you need to learn that this price is not that easy to determine.

For instance, while a single, 400W solar panel typically starts from $250 and can go up to $360,⁴ it is not enough to fulfill a home’s overall needs. Depending upon your energy requirements, you might need 20-25 of such solar panels.

In addition to the cost of multiple solar panels, you also need to be mindful of how the cost of solar panels may vary depending on the state you live in. Due to this reason, solar panel cost is a highly fluctuating part of a PV system installation.

Solar Panel Installation Equipment Cost

Even after you purchase a bunch of solar panels that fulfill your requirement on paper, they cannot produce or store energy without the right equipment. This includes the following devices:

• Inverters
• Mounts
• Performance monitors
• Storage devices
• Wires and cables

The cost of these solutions not only depends on your energy requirements, but also gets influenced by your home’s structure, your location, and other system setup needs.

For example, if ground mounts are not enough to meet the daily sunlight exposure needs of your solar panels, you may need to invest in rooftop mounts. Similarly, if there is a big distance between your residential building and your backyard’s solar installation location, the cost of your wires and cable installation may be higher than usual.

Other factors such as the availability of net metering, which is the option to offload surplus energy to the grid and receive energy credits in return, may also influence your cost for installing solar panel system. Once again, these expenses are affected by the area you live in due to differences in the cost of living between different states and cities.

This holds true for both residential and commercial solar installation.

Solar Panel Installation Labor Cost

When you set out to calculate the cost of installing solar panels, you cannot complete the process without factoring in labor costs. These costs are usually provided to you by PV system providers at the time of your solar installation.

But if you want to get a general estimate beforehand, you can consider different ways to calculate these costs.

The first method is to calculate the labor cost per watt. This depends upon the total wattage of your PV system.

Once again, you can get an accurate quote for your solar installation from a PV system provider. But for a general idea, these costs typically start from $0.59 per watt for a 5kW PV system.⁵

The second way to calculate these costs is on a per-panel basis. Depending upon the state and city where you live, you can expect to pay anywhere from $255-$391 in labor costs per solar panel.⁶

This also brings about the national average of these labor costs to $304 per panel.

Solar Panel Installation Overall Cost

After you go through this information, you can easily understand how the overall cost to install solar panels is made up of a variety of factors. In 2023, this cost may range from $10,000 to well over $30,000.⁷

This range is so wide because the overall expense of PV system installation depends upon various aspects such as your energy requirements, your chosen equipment, and your area of residence. This is where choosing between rooftop solar,⁸ ground solar, and community projects can also make a difference.

How To Reduce Solar Panel Cost for Installation

Once you speak to a local PV system provider, you can get a more accurate idea of the average cost of installing solar panels in your specific area.

While you should not lower the amount and wattage of solar panels that fulfill your energy needs, you can still consider other effective methods to reduce your solar system installation expense.

These include but are not limited to:

• Leasing instead of purchasing your solar energy system⁹
• Benefiting from the federal solar tax credit (only on purchased systems, either on cash or loans)
• Taking advantage of available state solar tax breaks
• Choosing between different types of solar panels and equipment
• Finding the best quote among different PV system providers
• Performing the solar energy system installation yourself

By following these approaches, you can reduce the cost of installing solar panels (real cost) home solar installation, storage, and other requirements.

How Does Leasing Lower the Cost of Installing Solar Panels?

Leasing solar panels instead of purchasing them has its own pros and cons. On one hand, you bear little to no upfront cost to install solar panels, but you can still produce your own renewable energy immediately after completing the installation.

On the other hand, you do not own the equipment, cannot benefit from tax credits, and have to pay a monthly fee to the provider.

If you cannot afford thousands of dollars in solar installation costs, you may find this approach to be ideal for embracing renewable energy. However, you need to remember that leasing instead of purchasing your PV system does not qualify you for the lucrative federal solar tax credit.

How Do Tax Breaks Reduce the Average Solar Panel Cost?

The federal solar tax credit allows you to save 30 percent of the total cost of your solar energy system.¹⁰ Since there is no upwards limit to this tax credit, it serves as a massive benefit and a surefire perk that helps you shave off a significant chunk of your cost to install solar panels.

However, you need to pay for your solar energy system first and claim the tax credit in your tax filing the same year. If you take out a loan to pay for the system, you can still claim the credit in your tax filing.

For example, if the total cost of your solar panel comes up to around $20,000, the federal solar tax credit can give you a tax credit of up to $6,000. You can then use this credit to reduce your tax bill, even when the total reduction takes your tax obligations to zero.

The tax credit does not expire within the year either, which means that you can use it year after year, for 5 years, to keep reducing your tax bill until it is maxed out.

Apart from the federal solar tax credit, you can also look into state tax breaks. These tax breaks vary from state to state, which is why you should check which programs are applicable in your home state.

These programs can noticeably reduce your cost for installing solar panel system.

How Do Different Types of Solar Panels Differ in Costs?

If you are tight on budget but want to install renewable energy, you can opt for more pocket-friendly options in solar panels. However, you need to be aware that the lower you go on costs, the less energy-efficient your options for solar panels become.

Being mindful of this fact, you should look at other cost-reduction options before making compromises on solar panel prices.

But if you want to keep this option open anyway, you can consider the following price differences between popular types of solar panels.¹¹

• Monocrystalline Solar Panels: $1-$1.50 per watt
• Polycrystalline Solar Panels: $0.90-$1 per watt
• Thin-film Solar Panels: $1-$1.50 per watt

Out of these choices, monocrystalline solar panels provide you with top-of-the-line energy efficiency.

This not only helps you get the best results out of your PV system but also goes a long way toward preventing performance issues in the long run.

Why Do Providers Offer Different Costs for Solar Panel Systems?

It is no secret that the cost of installing solar panels differs from state to state. But similar to many other products and services, the quote for getting your own PV system also varies between providers.

This is simply because of competitive pricing between businesses.

Due to this reason, you should make it a point to reach out to different providers of PV systems in your area to get personalized quotes for your requirements. After a consultation and inspection, each of these providers outlines their specific costs to you.

You can then decide which vendor to go with according to the price, ratings, and reviews that they bring to the table.

How Can a DIY Installation of Solar Panels for Home Reduce Your Costs?

Considering that installation and labor costs make up a significant portion of your PV system prices,¹² installing the system by yourself can make a world of difference. This requires you to have some technical knowledge at hand.

But if you are confident in your skills, you can move forward with a DIY installation for your solar energy system.

From learning how to install solar panels on roof to knowing how to fix a PV system in your backyard, you can gather quite a bit of knowledge from online guides and experts. This saves you from making compromises on the quality of your solar panel or equipment and lets you reduce costs with elbow grease.

But whether you want to do a solar roof panel installation or a backyard PV system setup, you need to bear in mind that solar energy systems are highly intricate solutions that need to be installed with the utmost care. Due to the level of expertise required for a solar installation, watching a few YouTube videos to learn the process but having no prior experience in electric work may not cut it.

If you have a little wiggle room in your budget, you should choose to get your solar power installation done by professionals.

What Is the General Cost To Install Solar Panels?

The cost to install solar panels may range between $255-$391 per panel.⁶ These costs may largely vary due to your location.

For specific quotes, you should reach out to local PV system providers for a detailed consultation and cost breakdown. This takes the guessing game out of the picture and provides you with a personalized list of costs for your solar installation.

Are Residential Solar Panels Different From Commercial Solar Panels?

Residential solar panels are indeed different from commercial solar panels. Besides the stark contrast in price, the biggest difference between them is that residential solar panels are smaller in size as compared to their commercial variants.²⁷

The technical and performance difference comes in the form of the number of cells. Where residential solar panels typically have 72 cells, commercial solar panels usually carry 96 cells within them.

This makes both types of panels quite different from one another. Depending upon your needs, you can get either type of panel from a reliable PV system provider with ease.

What Is the Average Cost of Installing Solar Panels for Home?

The average cost of installing solar panels for home largely depends upon your energy requirements. With that being said, installing a 6kW PV system in California may not cost the same as purchasing one in Texas.

It is because factors such as sun exposure, weather conditions, and cost of living can influence the cost of solar panels and their installation by a significant margin. That is why, where you live has a huge impact on the cost of your solar installation.

In 2023, the average cost of installing solar panels ranges between $18,000-$35,000.¹³ Some platforms mark these ranges from $10,000 to over $30,000.⁷

The actual cost for your PV system will depend upon factors such as your specific energy requirements and location. These estimates also do not factor in the federal solar tax credit, which could easily shave off 30 percent of the total costs of your solar energy system installation.

You can also combine the federal solar tax credit with available state tax break programs.

In order to get an accurate quote for your solar system installation costs, you need to speak to a local provider who can understand your needs and inspect your property. This way, you can get a personalized cost estimate with a detailed price breakdown for your PV system.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost for a 1,500 Square Foot House?

Considering that a 1,500-square-foot house typically requires a 6kWh PV system, the solar installation for a home of this size may cost around $18,500.²³

With that being said, the cost to install solar panels may still vary significantly between states. The fluctuation in price might be so great that you could be looking at a range between $8,000-$25,000.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost for a 2,000 Square Foot House?

The energy requirements for a 2,000-square-foot home may typically be a bit over 1,300 kWh.²⁴ This may bring your overall cost of installing solar panels to $20,000.

But you need to keep in mind that this energy consumption requirement and the cost estimate is just an example. Depending on your energy consumption needs and the area where you live, you might be looking at a different figure when you get a personalized quote.

What Is the Average Price of Solar Panel Installation for an Apartment?

If you live in an apartment and want to install a PV system for renewable energy, the lack of space may keep you from achieving this goal. But you can still utilize renewable energy by either using a portable solar panel system that provides you with a small amount of renewable energy or switching to a community solar project that supplies electricity to your apartment unit.

Another option is to get your electricity through a provider that uses 100 percent renewable energy.

What Is the Average Cost of Installing Solar Panels for a Commercial Property?

The average cost of commercial solar installation ranges between $50,000-$600,000.¹⁴ These costs are determined by the overall size and energy requirements of your business or commercial property.

Similar to residential installations, the location of your commercial property also stands front and center for deciding the costs of your PV system installation.

Seeing that commercial installations are more intensive, extensive, and demanding, reducing their installation costs requires you to take a more sophisticated approach. This may include having the required consultations and analysis performed by professionals, as well as receiving costs from a variety of vendors to see who offers you the best price in the market.

The tax incentives for commercial solar installation also reduce these costs further.¹⁵ But in order to benefit from them, you need to be mindful of a few prerequisites.

These requirements include but are not limited to your business not being a charitable organization; the PV system not being used to heat a swimming pool; and the installed equipment to either be new or fall under applicable pre-owned standards.

Solar Panel Installation Cost Breakdown: Understanding PV System Expenses

After going through the cost of installing solar panels (real cost) home solar installation, storage, and other requirements, you can learn about the intricacies that contribute to solar energy setup expenses.

But if you want a more in-depth look at the cost distribution, the following information can help you further understand these aspects.

While the following figures are not an exact representation of the cost to install solar panels, they give you a pretty good idea of how big of a part installation expenses play in the process.¹⁶

• Solar panels and other equipment: Around 55 percent
• Installation and labor: Around 25 percent
• Taxes, permits, and grid connection requests: Around 20 percent

While shopping around for better prices can somewhat lower the cost of solar panels and associated equipment, this category still holds the largest share of the expenses to install a PV system. Additionally, you cannot reduce the expense of taxes, permits, and grid connection requests.

This leaves labor costs as the only category where you can actually make a major difference by handling this part on your own.

By looking into guides for installing solar panel in apartment, homes, and commercial units, you can determine if the project is easy enough for you to handle or not. If you don’t feel confident in moving forward with the complex process all by yourself, you should reach out to a professional provider of PV systems.

After getting a detailed view of the cost of installing solar panels (real cost) home solar installation, storage, and other requirements, you can move forward with understanding more cost-saving tips with more confidence.

How Much Is a Solar Panel?

A typical solar panel of around 400 watts may cost between $200-$315.²⁵ But a single solar panel is not enough to fulfill your home’s energy needs.

Besides more solar panels, you also need other energy production, storage, and transfer equipment to build solar PV systems.²⁶ This may take your costs between $15,000-$25,000 for the entire PV system.¹³

Then again, this is just an estimate and you can only get the actual quote by consulting with a PV system provider and having them inspect your property.

How Much Are Solar Panels With Tax Breaks?

The average cost of installing a solar panel may start from $18,000 and go all the way up to $35,000.¹³ It is because the specific costs fluctuate due to aspects such as the state where you live, the energy consumption of your household, and the sun exposure that your home gets on a usual day.

But with federal solar tax credit, you can reduce 30 percent of your total cost for the PV system. You can save even more money by looking into available state tax credits.

Can I Install Solar Panels Myself?

You can install solar panels by yourself. But you need to be technically proficient in order to pull off the installation without any issues.

If you don’t have prior experience in working with electric devices, it is best that you reach out to a professional. Otherwise, you can use this consultation to get answers to questions such as how many solar panels do I need, and then move forward with the installation yourself.

Installing Solar Panel System With Reduced Costs: Tips for a Budget-Friendly Solar Installation

The real cost of solar panels, storage equipment, and associated materials fluctuates on a case-to-case basis. From your specific requirements to your installation location, this comprises various aspects that affect your solar installation expenses.

But whether your general quote comes down to $15,000 or $20,000, you may still follow choice tips to reduce your overall spending.

The following information sheds light on these practices.

Consider Lowering Your Energy Consumption

The average U.S. household consumes around 10,632 kWh per year.¹⁷ But this figure changes pretty fast when you zero in on different locations.

For example, the average household in Hawaii only uses 6,369 kWh per year; while the same rate for Louisiana households goes up to a massive 14,302 kWh. This marks a stark difference between both ends of energy usage costs.

Depending on the area you live in, your energy consumption may fall between these figures. You can consider lowering it further by the use of energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and structures.

By making an effort to use more sunlight and natural ventilation, you can reduce the amount of energy you may use per month.

Once you see a consistent reduction in your energy consumption for a few months, you can reach out to a PV system provider for a revised solar installation quote. This increases your chances of receiving recommendations that come at a reduced price, which can help you significantly lower your overall cost of installing solar panels.

Compare Leasing vs Owning Your PV System

In case you cannot muster up thousands of dollars at once or don’t want to pay interest on loans for installing your solar energy system, you don’t have to give up on your commitment to live more sustainably. In such instances, you can turn to leasing your PV system equipment instead of purchasing it.

While the equipment that you lease is still owned by the lender, you can use it to produce, store, and use renewable energy. Many leasing providers can help you rent a PV system at zero down payment, while others might offer minimal down payment terms.

The arrangement typically requires you to pay for the equipment on a monthly basis, with the typical charges being around $200-$250 per month.⁹

This is where you need to weigh the advantages and drawbacks of this practice: When you make an upfront investment in purchasing your own solar energy system, it reduces your energy bills without adding ongoing monthly costs.

In contrast, leasing the equipment lowers your energy bills, but it does require a monthly commitment. However, leasing does not let you benefit from programs such as the federal solar tax credit.

Calculate Available Tax Incentives

You can lower your solar energy system installation costs by availing of the federal solar tax credit. This program provides you with a tax credit that is equivalent to 30 percent of the price of your newly purchased PV system.

You can then use this tax credit to reduce your tax obligations.

However, before you avail of this federal solar tax credit, you have to spend your own cash on the PV system installation. The credit is also non-refundable, which means that you cannot get the IRS to give you a cash payment against it.

In turn, you can use it to only pay off your tax obligations. But you can use any leftover amount in the future (for up to five years) to reduce your ongoing tax bills.

This makes it an ideal perk if you have a high taxable income.¹⁸

In addition to the federal solar tax credit, you can also benefit from state tax credits for solar energy system installation. Each state brings its own requirements and eligibility criteria to the table, which makes it important for you to reach out to your local government institutions for more information.

Browse Different Options for Solar Panels and Equipment

If you want to lower the overall cost of installing solar panels, you need to invest some time in the process and shop around for different types of solar panels and equipment. It’s because different solar equipment brands sometimes have variable prices in place for similar solutions.

When you do side-by-side comparisons, you may find a few ways to spend less money on the same type of equipment.

In some instances, you may also choose between different types of equipment. For example, if you are buying mounts for your solar panel, you may find that static mounts cost way less than movable mounts.

In case your solar energy setup does not call for movable mounts, you can easily make the more affordable choice without compromising on the system’s performance.

On the other hand, if you want to take the cost-saving route to an extreme degree, you can also look into choosing less-efficient solar panels that are available at reduced costs. But if you want to get the most out of your solar installation, you should steer clear of this approach.

It’s because if you go with lower-quality solar panels, you would not receive optimal performance from them. With that being said, you can still consider this option if you are on a tight budget.

Get Quotes From Different Providers

If you want to compare solar installation prices side by side, you can get personalized quotes from local PV system providers. You don’t have to move mountains to receive these price lists.

Instead, you just need to call solar installation providers in your area and discuss your needs with them. Most of these providers may visit your property in a day or two, and take about just as much time to give you a personalized price for solar equipment and installation.

The process can definitely be time-consuming. But it does give you accurate quotes that you can then compare against one another.

This lets you make an informed decision while purchasing your solar energy system.

When you are going through these solar installation quotes, you have to make sure that you are not comparing apples and oranges. There might be times when providers with little to no experience may give you a quote that sounds too good to be true.

If you compare this offering with a vendor that has rave reviews and ratings, their pricing might seem a bit high at first. But when you dig a bit deeper, you can discover that the higher quote might be justified due to the vendor’s positive reviews, experience, and credibility.

By following shopping best practices,¹⁹ you can stay away from fraudulent or low-quality providers. This helps you strike a balance between price and quality.

As a result, you can get high-quality performance from your solar energy system without breaking the bank.

Do the Installation Yourself

The trend of DIY solar panels might not be that sought after yet,²⁰ but growing solar installation costs and rising living costs are working wonders for its popularity. If you have the technical knowledge and experience, you can also follow this practice and take a significant amount of money off of the total cost of installing solar panels.

By doing the installation yourself, you can do away with the labor costs to handle every aspect of the process through a DIY approach. However, as exciting as this task might sound at first, it remains a technically demanding and often unforgiving process.

If you incorrectly handle manual equipment such as mounts or electric equipment such as inverters, it may hurt your safety and your wallet alike.

That is why, you should only follow this path if you are completely confident in your ability to handle complex systems on your own. To make the process easier, you can also ask for help from your friends or family who have experience with electric work or solar installation.

Otherwise, you can simply leave this suggestion of cost-saving behind to have a professional manage these requirements for you.

Understanding How To Lower the Cost of Installing Solar Panels Makes It Easier To Adopt Renewable Energy

Once you determine the expenses behind PV systems, you can also find ways to lower them according to your comfort.

You don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket in order to switch to renewable energy and lower your carbon footprint on the planet. This makes sure that the time you spend understanding the cost of installing solar panels does more than brushing up your knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of Installing Solar Panels