Estimate Solar Power Cost

How much will it cost you to install a solar power or thermal system? The cost of a photovoltaic (PV) system depends on the system's size and components, but also scales somewhat with the system size or rating and the amount of energy produced.

There are numerous requirements, variables, incentives, and efficiency factors. To get a rough idea, here are some ballpark number for your reference.

- A small singer-PV panel system with built-in inverter that produces about 100 watts of power may cost around $1,200 installed or about $12 per watt

- A medium-sized system of 2kW (2,000 Watts) may cost $16,000 or $20,000 installed, or $8 to $10 per watt

- A larger residential system of 5kW may cost $37,500 to $45,000 installed, or $7.50 to $9 per watt

- Systems with batteries (grid-tie or off-grid) cost even more. The batteries and required safety equipment add 20 to 30 percent to the equipment cost and double the installation cost.

- Typical solar power system installation costs are $1.50 to $2 per watt without batteries or $3 to $4 per watt - double - with batteries.

These estimates above did not include deductions for any rebates or other incentives. Remember, after the system has returned your initial investment in savings, it is working virtually for free. And solar power systems can keep on paying you back for 25 years or more!

Before you get too excited about solar costs, you might price a utility line extension for new construction. Utility companies give very little in the way of free footage anymore, and most line extensions will cost in excess of $1 per inch. If you have to extend more than 300 to 400 yards, solar may actually cost you less initially than hooking up to the local utility.

The real point of this article is estimating costs is not to put you on blood pressure medicine. It's help you know what factors are most important as you retrofit your home for solar.

However, the above estimation might also scared by most homeowners because they might not want to invest so much money on such newly solar power system. Therefore, in the marketplace today, many experts wrote many different programs that teach homeowners how to DIY solar panels which can reduce the solar power cost for the initial stage, and the cost to build up the entire solar power system for residential will be under $200.

Recently, I have purchased two programs online for comparing which one will be better off for a new homeowners who plans to build their own solar panels, and if you are interested, please visit my website Solar Power Cost for more information!

Do you know you can design your house to minimize heat transfer at little relative expense?  Many experts do know lots more about how to do this than our parents knew when they shopped for housing.

What you are looking for as you consider which building materials to buy are those materials with the highest R value.  If materials have an R value, more is better.  That is, 4 inches of fiberglass has an R-13 value.  6 inches is rated at R-23.  That's why 2 x 6-inch insulated exterior walls are more energy efficient than 2 x 4-inch walls.

Local code and building practices will dictate the minimum R values you should have in your house.  Obviously, you don't need the same value for a home in San Diego as you do for one in Minneapolis.

Please note that sometimes it may cost more to increase the R value to its upper limits than the amount of energy it will save.  Therefore, a SMART PLANNING is critical!

Here are some ideas to consider as you plan your house to be more energy efficient:

1. Build your house with 2 x 6-inch exterior walls if you need a higher R value and pack it with thicker insulation

2. Use the most efficient insulation you can afford

3. Install low-emissivity (low-e) glass coated to reduce heat conductivity without reducing light

4. Insulate ceilings well, even higher than the local recommended R value.

5.  Ventilate the attic above well-insulated ceilings to allow trapped heat to escape

6. Install radiant barriers under the rafters to greatly limit heat infiltration during warm weather

7. Check walls as they are built to fill up any air leaks from the outside

8. Include a supplier-recommended moisture barrier in walls to keep them from sweating

9. Place heat registers near the floor and return vents near the ceiling because heat rises

10. Buy the most efficient model fireplace you can afford if you must have one in your home.  Fireplaces in general are very inefficient heat sources

11. Buy a 92-plus percent efficient heating furance rated in Btus to match or exceed your house's needs

12. Make sure your thermostat is computerized and can be set to make multiple temperature changes during the day.  Every degree you turn down your heat setting can save you about 2% of your fuel bill

13. Include double-glazed or low-e windows in your budget for long-term energy savings

14. Insulate any heating ducts that run through unheated basements or crawl spaces

15. Remember to use weatherstrippin and apply caulking around exterior doors and windows

What's next?  There are many effective programs which will teach you step-by-step on how to set up the entire solar power system with a power solar cost of less than $200.  If you want to start making your own solar panels for cutting 80% of your next utility bill or if you want to protect our environment by using green energy, you might want to check out Solar Power Cost Program for your information.

If you are simply adding a generator to your existing solar power system, probably not much more than the cost of the generator and wiring.  Of course, if you have to re-size the system with a new inverter/controller, the cost goes up.  A small battery bank (four 24-volt batteries), 2.4kW inverter, AC panel, monitor, and a fused disconnect will set you back about $3,500.  Add to that the cost of the generator.

Electric generators range from small 3kW units to all-you-need 15kW generators.  The rating is the maximum power output.  Generator manufacturers suggest that you double your required wattage to come up with the maximum unit you need.  Of course, they are in the business of selling generators.  You may not have to double your needs, but the unit should provide at least 150% of your requirements.  The "rated" or watts are typically 10 to 20% less than the maximum watts.

You can purchase a small portable generator for about $500.  However, one that will help power your house will cost much more.  A 10kW stationary generator, for example, will cost about $3500 plus shipping and wiring.  Diesel generators of 15 to 20kW start at about $9,000.  Most households need at least 5kW to charge batteries and run the washing machine or well pump simultaneously.  Generators of more than 10kW are expensive to run.  Do not go bigger than you really need or can use.  Generators run most efficiently at about 70-80% of full load.

So, how do you choose the right generator for the job?  Here are some questions to consider:

1.  What is the total wattage of appliances and equipment that I need to operate?
2.  Will the generator be used in conjunction with solar or other power system?
3.  Should the generator be stationary or portable?
4. Should the generator have a manual or automatic starter system? (Automatic is best unless the generator isn't used often)
5. What's the best fuel for this generator: gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, natural gas, or propane?
6. How will fuel be delivered and stored for lowest cost and optimum running time between refills?
7. Do I need more than one power outlet on the generator itself?

In adding up the total wattage of equipment you need to power, double the wattage of anything that has a motor or compressor that turns on.  Remember to plan for the future.  It will get here very soon!