Did you know that the cost to install solar panels has dropped by over 60% in the last decade?
The entire solar industry has seen exponential growth over the last decade as over two million homes in the United States have made the switch to solar. This growth has led to more solar companies across the country offering lower installation costs and shorter installation times.
Understanding how long it would take to install solar panels in your home can help you plan well in advance. This can help guide the renovation plans for your home.
Are you thinking of making the switch to solar? Here’s everything you need to know about the solar installation process.
What Are Solar Panels?
Solar panels are special panels that can absorb sunlight and convert it into an electrical current. These panels make use of the photoelectric effect to generate a current from the electromagnetic radiation from the sun.
While there are different kinds of solar panels available, all work in a very similar way. These panels have evolved over the years to be more efficient, effective, and affordable at the same time. The cost of solar panels has managed to decrease by over 80% since 2010, making them more accessible than ever before.
Benefits of Installing Solar Panels
There are tons of benefits that come with installing solar panels in your home. Here’s a quick look at some of the most notable reasons to switch to solar.
Reduced Energy Bills
Installing solar panels in your home can help supplement your energy consumption every month. This allows you to live the same lifestyle while reducing your monthly utility bill. The average American household can save over $100 a month, making solar a great investment.
Increased Property Value
Investing in solar can help you increase the value of your property. Prospective buyers actually look for homes with solar panels as they know the home will be cheaper to maintain every month. This can also help real estate investors trying to upgrade and flip homes for a bigger profit.
Reduces Your Carbon Footprint
While solar panels are not enough to go completely off the grid, they can help you reduce your overall carbon footprint. Installing solar panels can help you reduce strain on the grid, with some states even letting you sell clean electricity back to the grid.
The Solar Installation Process
The solar installation process starts with a professional consultation. This is the most important step as this initial consultation will help you develop your solar plan. A solar plan for your home includes the kind of solar panels you need, how many panels you need, along with the ideal places to install the solar panels.
Solar installers will also help you make the most out of available incentives that your state may provide. Federal solar incentives offer a tax credit of 26% for systems installed between 2020 to 2022. However, this rate goes down to 22% in 2023, making it the perfect time to switch to solar.
How Long Does It Take To Install Solar Panels?
After your solar plan has been approved, the installation can take place. The installation itself can take anywhere from one day to multiple weeks depending on the system that you want to install. The average solar panel system is around 4kW to 6kW and only takes a day or two to install.
However, if you want to rewire your home or add more complex additions to the system, it can take a bit longer to finish up. Commercial buildings tend to take a lot longer than residential homes, but this is mainly due to the fact that commercial property is much larger.
Solar installers are experienced professionals that know exactly what they are doing. In most cases, these professionals will also help you rewire parts of your home so that your new system can seamlessly power the essentials in your home if the grid were to ever go offline.
This showcases another major benefit of solar energy as it can serve as a great source of backup power whenever something goes wrong with the grid.
How Much Does It Cost to Switch to Solar Power
The cost to switch to solar energy can be broken down into a few different costs. This includes the solar panels, additional equipment, and the installation costs.
There are different kinds of solar panels available. The most expensive solar panels can cost between $1 and $1.50 per watt while the most affordable options come in at around $0.90 per watt. This means that the most affordable 6kW system can set you back around $5,400.
This price can go up if you want to include a backup battery and an inverter to help you store and power your appliances in the home. While these costs are significant, the most notable expense is the installation costs. These costs range from installer to installer, but average around $10,000 to $15,000 for the average residential property.
Solar Power Is the Future
Solar panels can help you reduce your reliance on the grid and save you money every month on your energy bills. Despite not being powerful enough to go completely off the grid, installing solar panels can help lower your maintenance costs and increase the value of your property.
This makes switching to solar energy one of the best investments you can make to upgrade and future proof your property.
Want to learn more about going green? Check out the rest of our solar panel related blogs for more information.
