Welcome!
You can google Solar Reviews for more regionalized details and even vendor bids. But in general, for a standard residential grid tie system, with roof mounted panels, using a Solar Edge or Enphase solution, from a reputable, local installer. You're looking at anywhere from $2.50 - $3.25 per Watt DC for a complete turnkey solution. This is to purchase outright (cash or loan -- never lease or sign a PPA) before any tax deductions or incentives.
Price per watt of course depends on region of the country/market conditions, panel selection (mid range versus high efficiency), and the size of the system (larger systems (>7.6kW) usually have lower cost per watt). Ground mount is more than roof mount. The exact roof arrangement (unless it is metal, slate, or tile) doesn't have a huge impact.
Most jurisdictions require rapid shutdown of some ilk or another (e.g. NEC 2014 vs 2017, vs. specific AHJ requirements), and Solar Edge and Enphase command ~90% of US market share in this regard.
2019 was really hot as it was the last year to get the full 30% Federal rebate. Now should be a good time to haggle/negotiate as 2020 demand (except California) will be softer. You're probably looking at ~$2.65-$2.85/W unless you go with a really high end panel (Panasonic, LG Neon R, SunPower) or have a very small (<5kW system). So a 10kW system, for example, will be ~$26-28K.
What state do you live in? How many MWh do you use per year? Do you have a perspective yet as to how large of a system you want? Any specific aesthetic requirements (costs more). How much roof area do you have and which way(s) does it face?
I live in NJ, have a 12.2kW Solar Edge / Panasonic system, which offset 91% of my usage in 2019 (I made 12.34 MWh and consumed 13.53MWh). My system was ~$3.28/W (in 2017) as I recall. Given Federal incentives, savings on consumption, and NJ market specific SREC's, I expect to break even in 7-8 years (from installation - June 2017).
-
I would guess it comes down to what you feel is a good payback number. For me a final installed cost of < $2/watt gets me about a 10 year payback. That is because the cost of power is only $0.11/kWh for me and my usage is low. For others their cost is in the $0.20/kWh range with a high usage.
The simple math is to determine what you would save each year in kWh and multiply that by what your POCO charges you per kWh and then divide that value into your total installed cost.
Going DIY would certainly be cheaper then having a Contractor do the work but you still have to provide drawings for the permit and get the AHJ to approve the installation. You also are the person responsible for a DIY system so you have no one to blame or call to get a problem resolved. Take your pick and determine what you want to gamble on a pv system.Leave a comment:
-
If you want a ballpark figure of average costs there's a tab (Solar Panel Costs) near the top of this page that tabulates the average costs based on the size of your system. On that page, you can even drill down to your specific state (assuming you live in the USA) and perhaps even your city. Of course you will have to decide if the average cost represents a bargain or not as there's lots of factors that bob-n mentioned that go into a cost estimate.Leave a comment:
-
Unfortunately, it is never so simple. Each situation is different. Ground mounts can be more expensive than roof mounts. Some roofs are easier than others. Some electrical situations are easier than others. Premium panels produce more power per square meter of roof space, but cost more per watt. Microinverters cost more per watt than string inverters in exchange for other advantages. In addition, there are alternatives to save money that some consider risky. Do you want the security of a premium brand or can you accept a slightly higher risk in exchange for a lower cost? Are you able to DIY the electrical or will you need a licensed electrician? Then there's the possible cost of site work, like taking down trees. Solar works really badly in the shade.
Leave a comment:
-
What is considered to be a good $/watt OTD (with all taxes/fees minus the rebate)?
I am new to the world of solar and am planning out my system, but I am not sure what a good deal is. Also world of DIY vs paying a contractor to do it would have different "good deals". So what is considered to be a good deal after all is set and done and you are sitting on your couch with everything around you powered by solar?
Location: Southern California
Utility: SCELast edited by Duxa; 01-17-2020, 03:47 PM.
Leave a comment: