There are two main ways to calculate the cost of putting solar panels on your home: Price per watt ($/W) is useful for comparing multiple solar offers; Cost per kilowatt-hour (cents/kWh) is useful for comparing the cost of solar versus grid energy; Let's dive a little further into each measurement. What is solar price per watt?.
Why is solar energy cost per kWh important?
For one, the cost per kWh can be informative because it allows you to compare the cost of solar to your utility costs. The solar energy cost per kWh can also help you compare two system proposals because two systems of the same kW size could produce different total kWh because of design choices.
How much does solar energy cost per watt?
The cost per watt is what you pay for each unit of power of your solar energy system. Think of it a little like “price per square foot” when you buy a house. It helps compare the value of solar energy systems in different sizes. As of publishing, the average cost per watt is $2.84.
For example, the average cost of a solar system purchased through solar.com is 6-8 cents per kWh, depending on the size of the system, type of equipment, and local incentives. Let's compare that to the average cost of utility electricity in each state. How Much Does Electricity Cost in 2024?
How much does solar energy cost in 2024?
As more homeowners and businesses embrace solar power, the demand for solar panels has surged, driving down manufacturing costs and making solar installations more cost-effective. In 2024, the average residential cost per kWh of solar energy hovers around $.14, while commercial installations enjoy even lower rates at around $.07 per kWh.
How much do solar panels cost per square foot?
On average, solar panels cost $8.77 per square foot of living space, after factoring in the 30% tax credit. However, the cost per square foot varies based on the size of the home. For example, the post-tax credit cost of solar panels for a 2,500-square-foot home is around $20,000 for a rate of $7.96 per square foot.
This is the historic minimum price. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a typical U.S. household installs a 5kW solar system. The solar panel cost is a portion of the total price you have to pay for installing solar panels. At the current average cost of $2.71 per Watt, a typical 5kW system will cost you $13,550.