You’ve probably heard that solar is a lot cheaper than it used to be.
That would be an understatement.
In fact, when Solar Market started in 2010, a baby-sized 1.5kW solar system would have cost you close to $10,000.
Since that time, the cost to install has plummeted as huge gains were made in the manufacturing process along with a wave of manufacturers flooding into the market from China, pushing prices down.
If you’re wondering how dramatic these price drops were, take a look at the graph below.
It plots the price of one million thermal units of various fossil fuels against solar.
For those looking for a simple ballpark figure on prices.
If you’re very price conscious, then there are entry level 1.5kW systems on the market for as little as $2,000. For a 4kW system, which would suit a medium to large family’s needs, then you’re looking at around $5,000 – $7,000.
For those who want the longer answer though.
It’s important to know first that solar isn’t a one size fits all proposition.
While the system size and brand of panel you choose will obviously have a huge influence on the price you pay, there are also a number of other factors which can make a huge difference on your final figure.
In fact, the installation cost can vary thousands of dollars based on a number of factors, not limited to:
- Framing and other system components required
- Accessibility of roof
- Whether the roof is tiled or metal
- And, too many more to list
This is the reason why Solar Market started our quote service, to help those interested in getting solar find Clean Energy Council accredited installers in their area and arrange quotes. So far, we’ve had over 100,000 people use our service.
Never trust the first quote
Now we’ve mentioned that a lot of different factors can influence the cost of installing. Another factor that you need to be aware of is who you talk to.
Different installers charge different prices, even for the same product.
Installers all buy their products from different places, have different margins and offer varying levels of service. The price you are quoted, even for the exact same product, can vary by hundreds of dollars depending on who you talk to.
You might be wondering why we offer 3 quotes from 3 different installers.
This is to give shoppers the chance to compare different products, get a 2nd and 3rd opinion and gain some bargaining power in the negotiation process.
Our system works by locating the installers who service your local area and then arranging for them to quote you. Just enter your details in the form below along with a few details about your situation and our system will do the rest. Try it out now for free!
