The majority of PV modules in use and for sale are monocrystalline panels. They are the best type in terms of efficiency/price ratio at the moment. In this section youll learn some details about them.
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Monocrystalline solar panels differ from polycrystalline in the way they are produced. To make them, engineers get cells from one silicon crystal instead of melting together several of them. The difference in color between mono- and poly- panels is explained by the antireflective coating. The modern technology called black silicon is used to make monocrystalline panels.
Most manufacturers focus primarily on monocrystalline panels as an efficient and modern type, but still affordable at the same time. While many see great potential in thin-film panels, rigid PV mono-modules currently have a larger scope of application.
Efficiency of your panel determines how much sunlight it can actually turn into energy. Obviously, the higher it is, the better, and it is especially important when you dont have much space. Mono-modules have the highest efficiency of three most prominent types. Best monocrystalline solar panels on the market have 20 %. Apparently, Jinko Solar has set a record of 23.25% conversion rate with their n-type mono-panels in summer of .
When it comes to advantages that monopanels have before other widespread types, they include:
Mono-panels are slightly more expensive than polycrystalline modules. However, prices have already dropped by 80% in the last 10 years and we expect them to keep falling. The brand and the number of watts that a panel provides are what determines the price. The cheapest and relatively weak Chinese panels can cost around $100-$120. High-quality super-powerful Panasonic modules reach $450-$500 in price per unit. We provide a variety of monocrystalline solar panels for sale from brands all over the world so you can find the one model that fits your preferable price range.
The lifespan of a PV module is said to be around 25 years on average, but they usually live much longer than this. A panel doesnt explode or crumble to pieces after the warranty runs out it just keeps on slowly losing power year after year. Some manufacturers even issue a 30-year performance warranty that ensures that the output of your panels wont drop below a certain threshold even after three decades. To prolong the lifespan of your panels we recommend regular checkups by an electrician and occasional cleanup.
When it comes to choosing panels, you need to think about their purpose and their working conditions. Ask yourself following questions:
The average cost for a 6-kilowatt (kW) solar panel system is $17,852. That price drops to $12,497 after the full federal solar investment tax credit (ITC), which gives you a federal income tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of your solar energy system.
Your actual solar panel costs vary based on local labor rates, available financial incentives, equipment quality and other factors. Depending on the size of your roof and your energy needs, you could pay anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 or more. On the high end, we talked to a solar customer in Hawaii who spent $100,000 going solar.
6-kW system*
10-kW system*
Estimated ITC value**
Average cost per watt***
Typical payback period****
Alabama $14,700 $23,510 $4,410-$7,053 $2.45 10 years Alaska $14,430 $23,060 $4,329-$6,918 $2.41 9 years Arizona $14,640 $24,400 $4,392-$7,320 $2.44 7 years Arkansas $17,100 $28,500 $5,130-$8,550 $2.85 11 years California $18,360 $30,600 $5,508-$9,180 $3.06 7 years Colorado $20,640 $34,400 $6,192-$10,320 $3.44 11 years Connecticut $19,200 $32,000 $5,760-$9,600 $3.20 7 years Delaware $17,100 $28,500 $5,130-$8,550 $2.85 10 years Florida $15,180 $25,300 $4,554-$7,590 $2.53 8 years Georgia $17,700 $29,500 $5,310-$8,850 $2.95 10 years Hawaii $16,000 $25,580 $4,798-$7,674 $2.67 6 years Idaho $18,060 $30,100 $5,418-$9,030 $3.01 13 years Illinois $19,080 $31,800 $5,724-$9,540 $3.18 5 years Indiana $21,960 $36,600 $6,588-$10,980 $3.66 12 years Iowa $20,940 $34,900 $6,282-$10,470 $3.49 12 years Kansas $17,220 $28,700 $5,166-$8,610 $2.87 10 years Kentucky $19,140 $31,900 $5,742-$9,570 $3.19 12 years Louisiana $18,900 $31,500 $5,670-$9,450 $3.15 9 years Maine $21,420 $35,700 $6,426-$10,710 $3.57 9 years Maryland $18,060 $30,100 $5,418-$9,030 $3.01 10 years Massachusetts $21,180 $35,300 $6,354-$10,590 $3.53 7 years Michigan $20,220 $33,700 $6,066-$10,110 $3.37 10 years Minnesota $19,740 $32,900 $5,922-$9,870 $3.29 12 years Mississippi $15,830 $25,310 $4,750-$7,593 $2.64 12 years Missouri $16,920 $28,200 $5,076-$8,460 $2.82 10 years Montana $14,540 $23,240 $4,361-$6,972 $2.42 10 years Nebraska $16,970 $27,110 $5,090-$8,133 $2.83 12 years Nevada $15,420 $25,700 $4,626-$7,710 $2.57 8 years New Hampshire $21,900 $36,500 $6,570-$10,950 $3.65 8 years New Jersey $18,000 $30,000 $5,400-$9,000 $3.00 7 years New Mexico $19,680 $32,800 $5,904-$9,840 $3.28 9 years New York $20,100 $33,500 $6,030-$10,050 $3.35 7 years North Carolina $16,680 $27,800 $5,004-$8,340 $2.78 12 years North Dakota $14,538 $23,240 $4,361-$6,972 $2.42 12 years Ohio $16,500 $27,500 $4,950-$8,250 $2.75 10 years Oklahoma $15,360 $25,600 $4,608-$7,680 $2.56 9 years Oregon $18,300 $30,500 $5,490-$9,150 $3.05 13 years Pennsylvania $18,300 $30,500 $5,490-$9,150 $3.05 8 years Rhode Island $21,660 $36,100 $6,498-$10,830 $3.61 8 years South Carolina $16,800 $28,000 $5,040-$8,400 $2.80 8 years South Dakota $14,320 $22,880 $4,296-$6,864 $2.39 11 years Tennessee $19,380 $32,300 $5,814-$9,690 $3.23 13 years Texas $15,840 $26,400 $4,752-$7,920 $2.64 8 years Utah $15,720 $26,200 $4,716-$7,860 $2.62 10 years Vermont $19,800 $33,000 $5,940-$9,900 $3.30 10 years Virginia $18,240 $30,400 $5,472-$9,120 $3.04 10 years Washington $18,300 $30,500 $5,490-$9,150 $3.05 16 years West Virginia $17,100 $28,500 $5,130-$8,550 $2.85 11 years Wisconsin $20,040 $33,400 $6,012-$10,020 $3.34 11 years Wyoming $15,400 $24,590 $4,620-$7,377 $2.57 9 years* Before the federal tax credit (ITC) and other financial incentives; ** Average ITC value for a 6 kW to 10 kW system; *** Cost per watt may vary by system size; **** How long it takes to break even on solar panel installation costs with cash purchase
Switching to a home solar system could reduce your energy bill by 75%. The savings you see will vary based on your electricity rates, the climate and your particular energy needs.
Like a lot of solar energy customers we talk to, Brandie in Texas took their electricity bill down significantly, so even with the price we're paying for the solar panels and the amount of electricity we're using it's still much cheaper than what we were paying before we had them. Diana in Pennsylvania told us their electric bills are between $0 and $10, even in the summer, after going solar.
Depending on your out-of-pocket costs for a solar power system, it could take seven years or longer to break even, according to Wayne Turett, the founder of The Turett Collaborative, an architectural firm that specializes in sustainable designs.
The average U.S. electric bill is $80 to $178 per month, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The good news is we expect to see solar hardware continue to get cheaper, thanks to advancements in technology and increased competition in the market.
» LEARN MORE: The most common solar myths and misconceptions
Keep in mind that maintenance, including panel cleaning and occasional repairs (depending on the warranties), adds to the overall cost. Most solar energy companies offer monitoring apps that help you see how much energy your system is producing and when maintenance may be required.
Some people do see their electricity bills go back up if they run into a problem with their system like Eunice in Nevada, who didn't realize their inverter needed to be replaced, which led to an unexpected increase in their utility costs.
Everything had been going well and my energy bill had averaged $13 to $15 a month, Eunice said. Until I received a bill at the end of September in the amount of $429 from NV Energy.
» COMPARE: Solar energy pros and cons
Are solar panels worth it in your state?People often use loans, solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs) to pay for or avoid paying upfront costs. You might also consider a cash-out refinance or HELOC.
Solar loans work a lot like any other kind of loan: Theres an application and approval process, and you repay the loan amount in installments over time. Financing solar panels makes sense as long as the loan payments are cheaper than your existing electricity bill.
A solar customer we talked to, Christian in California, said he did the math, and everything worked out. Instead of paying $100 or $200 for the electric bill, if I use the same amount of energy or less, I will end up paying just the financing, which is $150, he said. But only for six years, and then after that, the panels will be mine and I don't have to pay anymore.
Just remember to pay attention to the interest rate. Another reviewer in California said hes paying more for the loan payment than I save from the utility. Interest payments alone are over $1,000 per year and this will continue for a long, long time.
If you can pay for the system in full upfront, its usually cheaper in the long run. For example, consider this review from David in California:
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Financing it was $18,000, he said. But if I paid cash, it was $15,000 and they gave me a $1,000 debit card. It only cost me $14,000. I'm totally satisfied. I haven't paid any electric bills in six months now. I'd recommend it to anybody.
It typically takes five to 15 years to break even on installation costs. Solar panels pay for themselves faster in states where electricity costs are high.
» MORE: What is solar panel ROI?
A power purchase agreement (PPA) is another way to get solar panels installed on your property without paying for them upfront.
An energy service company (ESCO) installs the panels for you but owns and maintains them. You then purchase the electricity generated by the solar panels from the ESCO at a fixed price. You can still save money on your electricity bills with a PPA, but some reviewers said they've felt stuck with a company.
» COMPARE: Solar lease vs. solar PPA
With a solar lease, you dont own the equipment. Instead, you make monthly payments to use the solar energy system for the duration of the lease term. Your leasing company is responsible for maintaining and repairing the solar panel system during this time.
You wont be eligible for the federal tax credit if you lease equipment or enter a PPA.
Another solar power customer, Dan in California, said he opted for the lease approach instead of a purchase. So, we did not have to put any money upfront at all. Zero. I work in finance/accounting and generally feel that if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. But in this case, it truly has turned out even better than we could have hoped for.
At the end of the term, you typically have the option to renew the lease, purchase the system at fair market value or have the leasing company remove the system from your property.
Do you own or rent?
Studies show that homes with solar panels sell for more than homes without them, and that increase in value can be significant.
How much value the solar panels add depends on your system's quality, location and other factors.
» EXPERT TIPS: How to save energy at home
How many solar panels do I need?How many solar panels you need varies based on your energy usage, the efficiency of the panels and other factors.
The average household uses 886 kWh per month in electrical power, according to the Energy Information Administration.
A solar panel typically produces about 1.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day, so if your daily kWh usage is 30, you would need 20 solar panels to generate all of your energy needs.
» WHATS THE DIFFERENCE? kW vs. kWh
How does net metering work?Net metering is a system that lets you send the extra power your panels produce back into the power grid (the big network of wires that carries electricity to everyones houses). In exchange, you get a credit on your electricity bill.
This also means that if your solar panels dont generate enough electricity (like on cloudy days), you can still use electricity from the grid without paying for it because youve already earned credits through net metering.
A reviewer in Texas explains how it worked for them: When I first signed up, my contract was a net metering, so I paid a certain cost of kilowatt-hours used, and the utility company purchased back from me at that same price. If I generated 200 and consumed 200, my net usage was zero, and my bill was essentially zero. My contract ended and I had to renew it."
They continued: Now, I'm paying 21 cents a kilowatt-hour for usage, and I'm only getting back 10 cents a kilowatt-hour for anything I push back to the grid. There's another $40 a month service fee from the utility company as well. So the incentive isn't quite what it was a year ago. Still, it's a good value.
Its a win-win situation: You save money on your bill, and the power grid gets more renewable energy to distribute to people who need it.
» MORE: Greenest states in the U.S.
How are solar panels installed?Installing solar panels typically takes only a few days. The technicians install wiring connecting the panels to an inverter, which converts the DC power generated by the panels into AC power for use in your home.
One of the most common misconceptions is that going solar is a complicated process that involves a lot of work and expensive equipment, said Alan Duncan, founder of Solar Panels Network USA. In reality, the process of buying and installing solar panels is relatively straightforward, and many companies offer turnkey solutions that take care of everything from the design to the installation of the system.
Once the solar installation is complete, an inspector checks the system to ensure it meets local safety and building codes. The system is then connected to your utility's power grid. If youre not grid-connected, youll need to get a battery to store solar energy.
Once thats done, your solar panel system is activated and ready to generate electricity. You can monitor the system's performance and energy production using a monitoring system provided by the installer.
After solar incentives, the general range is $10,000 to $30,000 for an average American household to invest in solar panels. This includes the cost of the panels themselves, installation and any additional equipment needed.
Whether or not its worth it for you depends on how much you can save on your electricity bill. If you arent financially ready to install solar panels yet, you still have options to incorporate solar technology into your life with solar chargers and passive solar home design.
» NEXT: 7 steps to going solar
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