How much does solar installation cost?

Installation labor accounts for around 5.5% of the total cost of a residential solar project, according to a 2022 report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. That amounts to $1,375 for a $25,000 solar project.

What are soft costs for a solar and battery project?

Soft costs include administration costs for the company, customer acquisition and marketing, system design, permits and fees for connecting to the grid, and labor for installation. Here’s the NREL’s latest soft costs breakdown of a solar and battery project:

How much does a 5000 watt solar system cost?

A fully installed solar system typically costs $3 to $5 per watt before incentives like the 30% tax credit are applied. Using this measurement, 5,000 Watt solar system (5 kW) would have a gross cost between $15,00 and $25,000. The price per watt for larger and relatively straightforward projects are often within the $3-$4 range.

How can I reduce the cost of installing solar panels?

Short of installing the solar panels yourself (which we don’t recommend for safety and many other reasons), one of the only ways to reduce these non-labor soft costs is to use the solar.com marketplace to compare quotes.

Are solar panels a good investment?

If you don’t have the upfront cash, you can take out a personal loan, home equity line of credit or use a solar loan offered by your solar company. Because you have to pay interest and additional fees, solar panels purchased with loans have lower lifetime savings but are still a worthwhile investment.

How many solar panels are enough to power a house?

One solar panel is not enough to power a house. Home solar systems typically feature 10-20 panels to produce enough power to offset 100% of the average household electricity consumption.