Average Solar Panel Cost
The average cost to install solar panels is from $15,000 to $30000 (before tax credit) for a 6kW to 12kW system to power an entire house and charge an Electric Vehicle. The average solar panel payback period is 4 years, and solar energy saves, on average, $2,200 – $4,400 per year on electricity costs.
Although all solar panels sold in California must have, at least, a 25-year warranty, many of the original solar panels are still producing after 40 or more years.
If using one of our $0 down financing options, we have never seen a case where the savings are not immediate. So the cost of using $0 down financing is less than paying the utility (Ex SDGE). And if you choose to pay cash/ACH, on average, the return on investment is, on average, 4-years.
Solar panels generate electricity approximately 90% cheaper than utility electricity over their lifetime. Over 25 years, solar panel savings range from a low of $50,000 to over $100,000, depending on your kWh consumption.
The first step in calculating the cost of going solar is to calculate how many panels you need. The average residential installation is 6 kW (15x400W panels), but it all depends on your home’s size, location, and energy needs.
Prices exclude the 26% Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which reduces your overall costs by 26%. And this is the main write off. Additional solar incentives and rebates are available from individual states, utilities, and local governments, which further reduce your total costs.
For example, a solar install Zero Down Solar has done using 18×400 Watt Hanwha Q cell panels (7200W) on a normal (comp shingle) roof. The cost: 20,700, or $1150/panel. After the 26% ITC (tax credit) the cost was reduced by $7,452, meaning the net cost to this homeowner was $13,248. This system will produce over 11,400 kWh in the 1st year, which is more than enough annual power for this family’s home and also drive their Tesla 12000 miles/year.
Once we get a recent energy bill, we can calculate accurately the number of panels needed on any roof space. Going Solar is a great choice and we like to show how you will save money in month 1.
To be accurate, we want to see a recent utility bill so we can see how much solar you need to eliminate the power you are currently getting from the utility company.
To receive an accurate proposal of how much going solar will save, send a recent SDGE bill so we can start working on something and show you how much going solar will benefit you. Or SDGE and other major utilities allow us to download usage with the customer’s permission so if you have an online account, clicking this may be easier for you: https://utilityapi.com/authorize/simon_zerodownsolar
