How much does a solar panel installation cost?

The best way to evaluate the price of a solar panel installation is in dollars per watt ($/W). Similar to comparing dollars per square foot when shopping for a home, $/W helps standardize the cost of solar by showing the cost of solar on a per watt basis. Currently, the average price of a solar panel system install in the U.S. is $2.91/W.

What is a polycrystalline solar panel?

Polycrystalline solar panels are also made from silicon, but their cells are made by melting together many fragments of silicon rather than from a single silicon crystal. While polycrystalline panels usually have lower efficiencies than their monocrystalline counterparts, they often have a lower price point.

What happened to Photovoltaic prices in October 2024?

Overview by technology of different price points in October 2024, including the changes over the previous month: Only tax-free prices for photovoltaic modules are shown. The prices stated reflect the average offer prices in retail and on the European spot market (customs cleared).

What is a 'solar panel rate' scam?

This is a common scam used to gather personal data and/or trick people into signing long-term solar lease agreements that are far less favorable than owning solar panels. For example, in February 2023, a Facebook page called “Solar Panel Rate” ran multiple ads claiming Elon Musk was paying homeowners $2,500 to test out new solar technology.

What are the different types of solar panel warranties?

There are two types of solar panel warranties to be aware of: the equipment (or materials) warranty and the performance warranty. Equipment warranties cover the physical integrity of your solar panels. For example, manufacturing defects, premature wear and tear, and environmentally-caused damages are covered by panel equipment warranties.

Are monocrystalline solar panels better than polycrystalline panels?

In general, monocrystalline panels are capable of higher efficiencies than polycrystalline panels. Polycrystalline solar panels are also made from silicon, but their cells are made by melting together many fragments of silicon rather than from a single silicon crystal.