How much do Solar Panels cost?
Two 100 watt solar panels
My inspiration about solar power systems began in the 1980’s, at Disney’s EPCOT theme park in Florida. There were pavilions/ rides that were powered by solar panels, and that blew my young mind. If there was free power from the sun, why not take advantage of it?
Roughly 20 years ago, we purchased a vacant lot with dreams of one day building our dream home. Our modest budget required us to shop around in an undeveloped area away from the sought after waterfront property. With our deep love for gardening, astronomy, and nature, this location suited us just fine. The catch was that power was nowhere close to our property. To run power to the property would cost us at least $60,000. You can likely see our inspiration to go off-grid. Our thinking was that if we were going to spend that kind of money, instead of paying the power company for power poles - why not own what we paid for, and be more independent without a power bill each month. The environmental benefits of living off-grid with solar power also spoke to us.
Multiple children, new jobs, and life doing as it does meant postponing that dream a bit. Nevertheless, the dream remained a constant source of comfort and inspiration.
As the years passed, technology advanced, and prices dropped. What was impossible became possible, then practical, and now wise. Many solar systems pay for themselves in 10 to 15 years. And most solar power components have no moving parts and are designed to last a long time. They don’t require fuel, oil, or other consumables - just sunshine.
So, how much does a solar power system cost? I’m sure you guess that it depends on how big it is. But here’s a very rough guide:
A small solar power system can cost under $1,000. With such a system, you can charge phones, flashlights, and other small devices. You will NOT be able to run your fridge or freezer however. Even this modest system sure helps during a power outage.
A medium sized solar power system will cost roughly $25,000. With such a system, you can run your fridge and freezer. If you are mindful of your battery levels, you can run your washing machine too. You will NOT be able to run your furnace and air conditioning, however. If done strategically, this system will reduce your power bill, and pay for itself over time.
A large sized solar power system will cost roughly $100,000. With this system, you can go fully off grid. You’ll be able to run your entire house.
Systems can be designed to scale up beyond a house, but, chances are, you are considering the above options.
If you would like to learn more, we encourage you to take our Introduction to Solar Power course. It is conveniently offered online via. Zoom. This course will teach you how to assess your needs, develop an understanding of solar power systems, and save you much time and money in your journey towards solar power systems.
