You have probably done some research on the cost to make solar panels and found out it is painfully expensive. Well, the fact is they are not cheap, but there are so many things you should take into consideration before deciding solar panels are too expensive for you. If you think about solar panels as an investment, and not a purchase, it will surely help you reinterpret their value. In addition, there are ways you could save money and reduce the cost to make solar panels for your home, provided that you put enough effort into finding the best solutions.
When talking about solar panel costs, you could want to know what the costs of brand solar panels are, what it would cost you to install enough solar panels to provide all the energy your house needs, or the cost to make solar panels yourself. We will try to address all these questions and find smart ways of saving money, no matter the solution you choose.
What are the costs of solar panels on the market?
In case you are thinking about buying solar panels, the costs vary depending on the brand, the size, or type of solar panel you decide on.
For example, mono-crystalline solar panels, the ones that use a single silicon crystal for every cell, are usually more expensive than polycrystalline solar panels. The process of making single silicon crystals is very complex, therefore, the higher price. Compared to the cheaper polycrystalline alternative, mono-crystalline solar panels last longer and are more efficient. However, you can always find quality, reliable polycrystalline panels, especially if you choose top brands like Sharp, Kyocera, Sunforce or Solartech. Also, those who prefer the efficiency of mono-crystalline solar panels, are likely to find affordable offers at Instapark, BP Solar Panels or HQRP.
Besides the panel’s price, you also have to think about the costs of installing solar panels and maintenance costs. Including these costs, you should prepare yourself for an investment of $6-$12 for every watt.
How much does it cost to install enough solar panels for my house?
But of course, in order to fully understand the necessary costs, you first have to calculate how many watts you need in order to provide all the energy for your house. A bigger house needs more energy than a smaller house. Then, depending on the location of your house, you can enjoy more or less sunlight every day, and this also affects the cost to make solar panels.
There is a simple way to calculate how much energy your house needs, and, therefore, the necessary investment. First, you have to see how many KWH (kilowatt hours) you use every month. You can find this number on your monthly electricity bill. Divide the number by 30 and you get your daily usage. Divide that number by the number or hours of sunlight you get every day. Now you know how many kilowatts you need to generate per hour to power your house. Multiply the number by 1000 (to get the number of watts) and the average cost (let’s say $8), and you have an approximation of the total costs of powering your house.
If the costs turned up higher that you expected, don’t lose your enthusiasm. There are several ways you can save money on solar panels. One way would be to look for tax credits, incentives and rebates in your local area. These incentives could help you reduce costs by as much as 50%.
What is the cost to make solar panels myself?
Another way to save money with your solar panel project is building the panels yourself. You can save a lot of money on the tools and materials, plus what you can save on installation.
DIY Solar panels will not only save you money via the energy they generate, you can use the plans to build solar panels for your friends thus earning money.
If you are not confident with your do-it-yourself abilities, don’t worry. Building solar panels is not an extremely complicated thing. Search the internet and you will find stories of ordinary people who managed to build panels that turned out as reliable as Solarflat or Ramson solar panels. If they could do it, why can’t you? And the cost to make solar panels is incredibly small, comparing to the costs of buying pre-made panels. With a little effort and perseverance, you can build an effective solar panel for about $200. So, the small cost to make solar panels yourself will definitely convince you that it is worth all the effort.
Then, you do not have to build all the solar panels at once. Save some money, and when you have enough for one solar panel, start building. You can build another one after you save some more money. This is a great way to diminish the impact of a big investment on your family’s life.
Another way of looking at the cost to make solar panels
Even though there are many ways you can reduce the cost to make solar panels, it is still a pretty significant investment. However, you shouldn’t forget the reasons that made you consider solar panels in the first place. Besides saving money on your energy bills, you also help save the environment, and that is an invaluable benefit to the world. With the money you save on electricity, you will be able to recuperate your investment in about 5-6 years. It might seem a long time, but don’t forget your solar panels keep producing energy and you continue saving money even after those 5 years have passed.
On top of that, installing solar panels will increase your house’s value. For every $1 you save on electricity, you add up $20 to the value of your house. Green houses are extremely appealing to buyers because of the small energy costs and tax breaks. Knowing this, can you still consider the cost to make solar panels expensive? If saving money on bills, adding value to your house and reducing your house’s carbon footprint are important to you, you will find solar panels to be an excellent investment for the future.
Therefore, if you don’t have any problem thinking long-term, you will find the cost to make solar panels to be unexpectedly small.
