How Much Do Solar Panels Cost
Get the latest prices for solar panels. Compare top brands like Sunpower, SolarCity, Trina, Yingli, LG, Canadian, SolarWorld and more. SunWatts sells all types of solar panels for the lowest possible cost. Do the research from an independent source. Our solar power systems are custom designed for your home. Getting a price estimate is easy: you can start with a quick online solar quote, or talk with one of our experts.
Example Pricing For The Average Home
Just looking for a ballpark price? For a 3-bedroom home with a current electricity bill of $150 per month, we might recommend a small sized 4,000 watt (4 kW) solar system with 15 or 16 solar panels.
| DIY Purchase (4 kW) | Installed Purchase (4 kW) | Solar Lease (4 kW) |
| $5,800 Retail Price | $13,000 Retail Price | $110 / month |
| $4,060 Net Cost After tax credit |
$9,100 Net Cost After tax credit |
$30,000 Lifetime Cost No tax credit |
| Learn More | Learn More | Learn More |
WANT A CUSTOM DESIGNED SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM AT THE LOWEST COST? START DESIGN
As you can see, there are several ways to get solar panels to power your home or business. The lowest cost approach is a do-it-yourself solar panel installation. A 4kW PV system could cost under $6,000 including professional design and all components. You still get the manufacturers warranty and keep all the tax credits or rebates.
The next approach is to use professional installation for your solar panels. By adding permits, installation and warranty for labor, the net price could be around $10,000. We can provide you with a custom solar panel design, all the hardware components and technical support. Then you can find your own contractor. Our solar prices are 42% lower than the industry average with this approach.
The most expensive price for solar panels is with a solar lease or power purchase agreement. Here you have no upfront cost, but you will be locked into a $110 monthly payment for up to 20 years. The total price for a 4kW leased system could be $30,000 over the lifetime. This lease estimate is based on a Price published by SunRun.
Industry Average Price Is $4.10 Per Watt Installed
Based on a survey of 17,000 residential and small commercial solar projects from July through December, the average system cost $31,700 and had a DC watt rating of 6,600 watts or 6.6kW. By dividing these numbers, the average cost per watt for a solar panel system was $4.10 per watt.
In comparison, the average system installed by SunWatts costs $20,000 for a price per watt of $3.
You could save $12,000 or 42% compared to the other contractors.
See the chart below for price rankings of solar installations from companies like Sunpower, SunRun, REC, Vivint and more. Compere their prices to calculate how much you could save.
Compare Prices Of Top Solar Companies
Want to know how much do installers charge for their solar panel systems? Follow these links to review the pricing details about top solar companies based on their actual real-world projects.
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How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
What is the price cost for Do-It-Yourself DIY Solar Installation
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What is the price cost for a SunRun solar PV system?
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What is the price cost for a Vivint solar PV system?