How Much Do Solar Panels Cost Per Square Foot?

Solar panel installation depends on several factors, cost being one of the major ones. This post will explore solar panels’ cost per square foot to determine how much money you need to install that desired solar system.

Everyone now wants to go green and live sustainably. For this reason, the demand for renewable energy sources continues to grow.

In fact, according to iea.org reports, the use of renewable energy increased by 3% in 2020. This resulted from an increase in electricity generation from renewable sources by almost 7%. In contrast, the use of other fuels declined significantly.

Solar energy is one of the major contributors to renewable energy that is also quite accessible to everyone. Installing solar panels in our homes, offices, and even on large commercial or industrial properties is easy.

However, before installing a solar power system on your property, you should ask yourself a few questions.

• For instance, how much do solar panels cost per square foot?
• What other costs does the installation attract?
• And, is it a feasible solution to your energy problems?

If you wish to install solar power on your property, here is a comprehensive cost breakdown guide on everything you’ll need.

Solar Panels Cost Per Square Foot Guide

So, how much do solar panels cost per square foot? Well, this is not always a straightforward situation as many of us might want it to be.

The cost of solar panel installation is influenced by various factors. For example, you might want to look at the size of your house and its energy needs, location, solar panel brand, etc. Labor costs will also determine your total installation costs, as some professionals might be more expensive than others.

This means that even with the cost of a solar panel, so many other things influence the overall installation costs. Generally, the average solar panel installation cost ranges between $10,626 and $26,460, after tax credit. These are costs for a system between 6kW to 12Kw, capable of powering most average homes.

As for the return on investment, it takes between 7 and 12 years to cover that cost. This is considering that solar energy will help you save $600 to $2,000 annually on electricity costs.

Factors Affecting Solar Panels Cost Per Square Foot

Understanding the factors that influence the cost of solar panel installation per square foot. It helps you to determine how much money it will cost you to install that solar panel.

Let’s take an in-depth look at each of these factors;

1. Size of the System

This one goes without saying! The bigger the solar system you wish to install, the more money it will cost you. The size of a solar panel is usually measured in kW (kilowatts). And kilowatts represent the amount of power a certain solar panel delivers in perfect conditions. One kilowatt is usually 1,000 watts (W).

The more kilowatts on a panel, the bigger the panel. This means a 6 kW solar panel will deliver less power than a 12 kW one. On the other hand, a kilowatt-hour, abbreviated as kWh, stands for the number of kilowatts consumed hourly.

This is used to measure how much power your home or property requires. Typically, the more power you need in your home, the bigger the solar panel size required and the higher the installation cost.

Therefore, before buying a solar panel, you should know precisely how much electricity your home consumes and by how much you need your electric bill reduced.

Here is a breakdown of the cost of solar panel installation depending on size:

Looking at this table, you’ll note that the cost per watt reduces as the system size increases. However, since bigger systems mean more panels, the overall cost increases as the size increases.

See Related: How to Store Solar Energy for Later Use

2. Location

The location also matters significantly regarding the cost of installing a solar system. But how?

• Available sunshine (irradiance): How sunny is your location? An average system will suffice if ample sunlight is available in the area. However, a small amount of sunshine means you’ll need more panels to produce enough electricity. Subsequently, this leads to higher costs.
• Incentives (federal, state, and local): The federal solar tax credit (26%), or ITC, significantly reduces solar prices. Other solar rebates and taxes from the state and local governments also exist. Different locations will have different incentives.
• Market factors: The average cost of solar panels per square foot or watt will also be affected by numerous market factors. These include installation competition, labor costs, policies, job volumes, etc. All these will determine the end cost of a solar panel and the installation cost.

The table below shows how location can lead to differences in the cost of solar panels and installation. The figures are based on a 6kW system:

3. The Brand and Model of the Panels

It’s no secret that some solar panels are more expensive than others. Some brands are well-known and have gained customers’ trust over the years. For this reason, they tend to ride on their good name and popularity when setting up their prices.

While most have quality products, other smaller and less-known brands produce just as good products. For instance, popular brands like LG, Panasonic, and SunPower are significantly cheaper than Jackery solar panels.

Therefore, before making your purchase decision, consider quality and benefits more. The brand name should come after.

Does Home Size Determine Solar System Prices?

In most instances, larger houses mean more solar panels, due to higher electricity consumption. However, you might still find some smaller houses that consume more power monthly than larger ones. Also, even same-sized homes might have different energy demands.

For this reason, it wouldn’t be factual to state that the home’s size entirely determines solar panels cost. But which factors will influence the type and size of the solar system you install?

1. Electricity Demand

The amount of electricity your home needs every month dictates the type and size of the solar system you need. Homes with high electricity demands require larger solar systems than others. This will mean more costs to cater to the higher power consumption.

For example, take a 1,000-square-foot home that has two occupants. Assume these people are always at home, working from home, watching movies and playing games, doing their laundry thrice a week, and the dishwasher is constantly in use.

Also, take another house of the same size but with a single occupant. The person living here loves traveling and works in the office, rarely spending much time in the house. Also, despite the homeowner here having a laundry machine, it’s only used once a week.

While these two houses might have the same size and design, their power consumption differs. Therefore, when shopping for a solar system, they will look for different specifications depending on how much power they consume. 

In our case, the first house requires more energy than the second one. Subsequently, the solar cost per square foot will be more for the first house than for the second one.

2. Roof Space and Material

Solar panels are mostly installed or mounted on the roofs of residential properties. These are referred to as roof-mounted systems. A roof-mounted system is relatively cheaper and doesn’t take up any space in your yard, making them quite popular.

However, roofs are also different. Even two 1,000-square-foot houses might have different roof spaces. Roofing materials also vary.

For example, a two-story building will have a different roof space than a 1,000-square-foot barn house on a large ranch.  The design of your roofing determines how many solar panels it can hold. This means that one house might easily hold a larger system than another one despite having the same square footage.

Different roof types will also demand different installation equipment and labor. For instance, a solar array can be fitted on metal roofs, flat roofs, shingle roofs, etc. However, different equipment and labor are required for each of these roofs.

All this will translate to varying solar panel installation costs despite installing the same system or having the same square-footage roof.

3. Equipment Costs

Solar panel cost will also be influenced by the type of equipment you choose. As we said earlier, various brands offer different pricing for their solar panels.

This usually depends on quality and brand name. It’s, therefore, quite important that you do thorough research before buying a solar system. That way, you are sure you bought a system that most affordably meets your energy needs.

Solar Incentives and Grants

Cost is a major hindrance when it comes to installing solar panels. Most homeowners, around 97%, are held back from installing a solar system due to perceived high costs.

However, solar incentives and federal, state, and local government grants somewhat reduce that cost. The only challenge comes when pinpointing the best incentives for you.

Here are some good examples of incentives, discounts, and rebates you can try.

1. Federal Government Incentives

The federal government is the first major advocate for renewable energy. For this reason, all taxpayers can claim part of the expenses incurred in installing a solar system, up to 26% (solar investment tax credit).

This program is managed by the Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit, and you can only claim expenses for your own home, where you also live.

Some of the qualified costs for the claim include system assembling and installation, on-site labor, wiring and piping costs related to the installation, etc. The good thing is that if the tax credit exceeds your tax liability, it can be carried forward to the following year. 

This tax credit is designed to decrease to 22% by 2023 and, after that, to a permanent 10% only for commercial solar installations. This means by 2024, ITC will no longer benefit homeowners.

2. State Incentives

Like the federal government, many states offer residents various incentives to encourage the shift to renewable energy use. These incentives work similarly to those the federal government offers, and you should find out what your state offers.

While various states have different incentives, almost all range between $500 to $5,000. Some cities will also offer extra rebates encouraging solar system installations by reducing the average solar panel cost per square foot.

3. Solar Panel Rebates

The states, solar panel manufacturers, and utility companies offer these rebates. They are designed to reduce the burden of solar system installation on the final consumer.

The rebates are paid to the installer, who passes the savings to the homeowner.

4. Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)

Homeowners receive these tax credits for every megawatt-hour (MWh) their solar system produces. Therefore, if a homeowner has a system generating 6 MWh, they receive six annual credits.

But how do you benefit from the credits? Homeowners can sell these credits to utility companies in an open market. How much the credit goes for is determined by prevailing market conditions (supply and demand).

One thing you should, however, note is that SRECs should be reported to the IRS. They are part of the property owner’s income for that year.

Here are some states with active SRECs:

• Delaware
• New Jersey
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Pennsylvania
• Washington D.C.
• Illinois
• Ohio
• North Carolina

Massachusetts, however, is not accepting new installations.

5. Net Metering

For homeowners, net metering is one incentive that reduces the long-term solar installation cost. It is specially designed to benefit homeowners with their residential solar panels.

Each kWh your system produces earns you one kWh deducted from your electricity bill. Net metering ensures that you benefit from every kWh your system generates.

The excess electricity from your system is transferred to the main grid.

6. Tax Breaks

Tax breaks are tax incentives that aim at reducing the cost of solar panel installation, although indirectly. This one differs from other incentives that benefit residential solar owners with direct credits.

On the contrary, tax breaks help homeowners avoid sales and property taxes they might have paid. The tax breaks don’t offer any additional savings in the long run. They usually include sales tax and property tax exemptions.

Sales tax exemptions lower the initial solar panel’s cost. On the other hand, property tax exemptions help owners void extra taxes on their property due to increased home value resulting from the solar system’s installation.

7. Performance-based Incentives (PBIs)

PBIs are ongoing incentives for electricity generation. They are performance-based, meaning that they benefit the solar system owner directly for the amount of electricity generated.

They are paid as bonuses to the solar owner, although the amounts are not big.

See related: Community Solar vs Rooftop Solar: What’s Better?

Actual Solar Panel Cost Per Square Foot

The average solar panel cost per square foot ranges between $4 and $10. However, many installers estimate solar costs regarding the watts needed to feed your home energy needs.

This usually ranges between $2.53 and $3.15 per watt. The cost is estimated before tax incentives and credits. Besides the home size, solar panel cost per square foot also depends on the roof size and design, as well as the type of panels and your energy needs.

Here is a cost estimation of installing a solar system based on your home’s size.

Generally, the more energy you need to run your household, the higher the costs of installing the solar system. If you don’t have many appliances that keep running or are not always in the house, your energy needs will be reduced, and so will the cost of a new solar installation.

Commercial Solar Panel Cost Per Square Foot

The size and the type of your commercial solar system will determine the solar panel cost per square foot. The larger the solar system, in kW or MW, the higher the cost.

For example, a commercial solar system between 10 kW and 2 MW will cost around $1.83 per watt. Larger systems beyond 2 MW cost a bit lower, around $1.06 per watt.

If you want to install a solar system for your small or mid-sized business, it will cost you around $43,000 to $175,000 for systems between 25kW and 100 kW.

With commercial solar systems, you will likely recover up to 45% of your solar panel costs in one year from rebates and tax credits.

Types of Solar Panels

There are four main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, shingles, and thin film. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages.

Exploring them will help you decide which best fits your home or business.

1. Solar Roof Shingles

Solar roof shingles are a type of solar panel designed to look like regular roof shingles. They are made up of small solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity. Solar roof shingles can be installed on top of an existing roof or used as the primary roofing material.

These solar panels have been around for decades. Many homeowners choose to install them in their homes because of their aesthetic appeal and durability.

Generally, they can withstand high winds, hail, and other extreme weather conditions. Also, they have a longer lifespan (up to 30 years), which is quite impressive.

Each solar shingle can generate between 13 and 17 watts of energy. Installing these panels will cost around $21 to $25 per sq. foot.

2. Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Monocrystalline solar panels are made from a single piece of pure silicon. They are the most efficient type of solar panel and can convert up to 22% of sunlight into electricity.

These solar panels are typically more expensive than others but produce more power per square foot. They also have a longer lifespan (up to 30 years) and come with longer warranties.

To top it all, Monocrystalline solar panels are less likely to be damaged by extreme weather conditions such as high winds, hail, or heavy snowfall.

3. Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Unlike Monocrystalline solar panels, Polycrystalline panels are made from several pieces of silicon molten. However, they are less efficient than monocrystalline solar panels and less expensive. On average, these solar panels can convert up to 17% of sunlight into electricity.

The solar panels tend to be larger than monocrystalline solar panels. They are also significantly heavier than their counterparts.

Polycrystalline solar panels have a shorter lifespan (20-25 years) than monocrystalline solar panels. But, at least they are cheaper than monocrystalline ones, covering for the lower efficiency level.

4. Thin-film Solar Panels

These are the newest kids on the block. And while they are not as popular with home users, their use has continued to grow.

These solar panels are made by rolling several layers of semiconductor materials such as silicon, copper indium gallium selenide, and cadmium telluride.

Thin-film solar panels are the least efficient than other solar panels. They only convert up to 14% of sunlight into electricity, producing less power per square foot.

However, they are less expensive than most other solar panels. Their lifespans range between 20 to 25 years. They are an excellent alternative to solar roof shingles.

See Related: How Much Does a Solar Battery Cost?

Best Solar Panels for Home

So, what are the best solar panels for home use? The answer to this question depends on your needs and budget. SunPower continues to outperform in average efficiency, according to our compiled data.

Also, Tesla makes for a great option given the ability to pair the panels with a high-efficiency Powerwall battery storage system.

If you want the most efficient solar panels, then monocrystalline solar panels are the way to go. However, if you’re looking for lower solar panel cost per square foot, polycrystalline or thin-film solar panels are good choices.

Some of the best names when it comes to solar panels for your home include:

The first four brands are the most popular, and it’s not without a good reason. They are known for their high efficiency, durability, long warranties (25 years), and competitive pricing.

Best Solar Panels for Business

Like residential solar panels, the best solar panels for businesses will also depend on the level of energy consumption and budget.

Some excellent options here include:

LG450S2W 450w

This solar system contains 144 solar cells, producing a maximum power of 450W. It is a monocrystalline type of solar panel with an efficiency level of 20.2%.

Generally, it comes with a 25-year warranty on performance and a 15-year warranty on the product. This is certainly a great product to check out.

BLUETTI PV200 200W Solar Panel for AC200P/EB70/EB55/AC50S Portable Power

A high conversion efficiency, reaching 23.4%, makes this an excellent solar panel choice for your business. This conversion rate is slightly higher than the market’s average, which falls between 20% and 23%.

These solar panels are covered with durable ETFE material, which makes them significantly hard to scratch or tear. They are also waterproof, meaning you can even use them for camping or fishing.

SunPower Performance 3 420w

SunPower is a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency solar panels. Their Performance Series solar panels are some of the most efficient on the market, converting up to 22% of sunlight into electricity.

This specific solar panel can generate a maximum of 420w from its monocrystalline PERC cells. Its efficiency level stands at 20.4%, which is high compared to many models in its range.

The best thing about this solar panel is that it offers a 25-year warranty for both performance and the product.

Canadian HiKu 450w

Canadian solar panels are quite popular in the commercial sector. This is mainly because of their efficiency, reliability, durability, and affordability.

The Canadian HiKu 450w solar panel system offers an average efficiency of 20.4%, generating around 450w maximum power. It comprises monocrystalline PERC cells with a 0 ~ + 5w power tolerance.

When it comes to warranty, it offers a 12-year warranty on the product and a 25-year one on performance. So, this one wouldn’t be a bad choice for solar panel installation.

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