One of the questions asked by many shoppers of solar panels is how much do solar panels cost? But the downside of it is that it does not have a straightforward answer that you can use or give. But according to categories and usage, we decided to do a compilation of their prices and come up with the price ranges.
Residential solar panels
The price of solar panels has reduced by over 70% in the last decade. Also, the cost of solar panels has declined by 99% since 1977, when the price of a solar PV cell was $76.67/ watt. In the last decade, the solar cost rated at $8.50 per watt compared to today’s price of about $3 and $4 per watt.
For residential systems, the size of residential solar systems ranges from 3kW – 10 kW, and their cost will vary anywhere between $15,000 and $40,000 depending on system size and availability of incentives.
This cost is also dependent on solar PV parts, the labor, overhead, and permitting fees. In general, you will realize that the bigger the system is, the cost per watt is also low.
Different solar panels
It is not an easy thing to come up with the best kind of solar panel to use in your home because of the differences in performance, efficiency, price, and quality. Thousands of solar manufacturers now manufacture solar panels; thus, decision making is becoming even harder when choosing solar panels for your home or business.
LG energy solar panels
LG energy has been known to be a leader of top-selling solar panels in the world. Solar panels that come from LG have a range of quality, high performance, and are reliable. LG offer excellent warranties for their solar panels, up to a 25-year warranty. It comes with Neon 2 and Neon R modules that use quality grade N-type cells. Many customers have rated them highly not because of the impressive look that they had, but because of their quality construction of the highest standard.
Many manufacturers have found it useful to produce both the mono and also the poly-crystalline panels. But to LG, they manufacture mainly monocrystalline cells. These solar panel cells are efficient and have a lower degradation level. Other than that, LG also uses Lily technology, which is not used by different types of panels.
The panels have been designed with durable double-wall aluminum frames on all its modules and fitted with a 6000 pa rating and an impressive 5400 rating on the side of wind loading.
Panasonic solar panels
When you talk about Panasonic, you are already talking about a great brand known in the industry. Panasonic had invested about 40 years of research and innovation that has gone beyond to reflect the best quality of solar. You will find four types of solar panels and are all made of monocrystalline silicon, which will maximize efficiency and quality. You will also get a 25-year warranty to take care of you when you need it most.
When you look at the temperature coefficient of -0.258% / °C, what this means is that for every 1°C above 25°C, Panasonic solar panels decrease in efficiency by 0.258%.
Canadian Solar Panels
With this solar panel, you are going to find a wide range of solar panels, in fact, including six lines; that is Dymond, Ku modules, All-Black, standard, superpower, and also Maxpower. You will have the best types of panels that have stable control and even a stable financial position. Their warranty is a bit different when you compare it with others. At year one, you will get a 97.5% and their degradation rate of 0.5% for the subsequent years until year 25.
The panels are efficient when it comes to energy production. They are also readily available and affordable too. At least, when you compare it with others, you get a $2,80 per watt.
Sunpower solar panels
Sunpower is also one of the top solar manufacturers that exist in the market. They are known to have a higher price but their outstanding efficiency of between 19.5 – 21.5% with up to 25 years of warranty is what makes them one of the best in the solar industry. They produce up to 70% more energy compared to others in the same space.
Maxeon technology allows it to absorb more light. You don’t have to accommodate a lot of them in the roof. With just a few, you will have managed to provide more energy from them than others. That’s is why it is rated 60% greater when it comes to durability. The company has significantly invested in the panels to make them better and better each day that comes and goes. Although they have a price tag that is a bit higher, it is worth it because its service will last longer.
Solarworld solar panels
Solarworld is a Germany based company that is responsible for selling solar panels both locally and also internationally. They are unique because of their monocrystalline technology. This technology has both the mono and also the bifacial features. The product warranty that you will get is 20 years. That is even double what many solar manufacturers offer for their solar panels.
The efficiency of the panels always varies according to the type of modal that is manufactured. But generally, efficiency can range from 14.9% – 17.6%. That is why we always say that they are cost-effective when you compare them with the many others out there. Their performance is also one of the best as they are rated to have a low-temperature coefficient.
The EnergySage Solar Buyers guide
The market has thousands and thousands of solar panels. A question arises on how to know which one will suit you and your needs. In a nutshell, you need to consider the cost, efficiency, wattage, the warranty given, among others. These are essential aspects that you will have to look at before making that big decision.
- Efficiency
When a solar panel has higher efficiency, it is going to produce more energy using less space compared to those that have low solar panel efficiency. Check on the efficiency of your solar and make the comparison before you make a choice there.
- Cost
The cost is not always constant because it will vary according to location, the type of property, and also the panels used. Solar panels that have a higher efficiency are rated to have a higher price than others but are better because they will give you long term savings.
- Warranty
Warranty exists in two ways, and we have the equipment and also a performance warranty. The equipment part is used to cover the visible part of the solar panels. For instance, if you encounter manufacturing defects, if you encounter wear and tear problems and even those damages that are caused by the environment. The companies cover all this. The performance part of the warranties includes the real and actual electricity that comes from the panels. The performance of the solar panels degrades over time, and the warranty is vital as it protects you from excessive degradation rates.
Solar panel calculator
A solar panel calculator like the one from the EnergySage is essential in helping to figure out how much a solar panel cost or the amount of solar energy needed to go solar. The idea of a solar panel calculator is to help you make your solar decision.