Solar panel prices – How much does a solar panel cost to install? Installation cost of a photovoltaic system installation are vary depending on your situation. If you are buying PV panels and like to save on your energy bills, you have to prepare your project. Have good overview of your electricity bills. Not only the total year consumption, but also the consumption per month. Not sure how mutch panels you need? First a renewable energy calculation!
Solar panel prices – How much does a solar panel cost?
Are panel prices changed in recent years? Yes, very much, but we are on the bottom price of monocrystalline and Polycrystalline modules. In the next years, the price will not change allot per panel. The efficiency will improve, so the total WP per panel will rise! Also our electricity use will increase. The total price of a solar panel system installation is already stabilising for years.
Everyone who wants to install photovoltaic panels has the big question. Do I wait until the prices drop or not? And with good reason.
In the last five years, the price for a installation is halved. This decrease is mainly due to a better and cheaper production process. However, this sharp decline is now a thing of the past. The prices of a PV panel installation fell from 2017 to 2018 only 3%.
It means that the market is maturing and is now an ideal entry moment.
How much does a solar panel cost?
When you are considering installing a photovoltaic panel installation. One of the first questions is of course about buying solar panels for the lowest price. PV panels are ideal to lower your electricity bills. And to become independent of national grid suppliers and their rising prices. Besides, choosing photovoltaic modules also means a better and green world. For many, the initial cost will be the ultimate factor.
How many panels do I need to zero out my electric bill?
To meet your electricity use with renewable energy, it depends on where you live on this earth. Here in Portugal, it is critical that your panels do not get too hot. When they get warmer than average 40 degrees, the energy yield decreases sharply. There is not so mutch to do here. You have to take into account, that 4 to 5 months per year, the return is halved. Very often in these warm months the electricity use is higher, because of the air conditioning. You need some help to calculate how mutch panels you need? Read first about the feed in tariff scheme.
Furthermore, it’s important to think about storing the surplus from the photovoltaic panels systems into solar batteries. You can have 30% more efficiently and save your electricity bills. The sunny storage series is an excellent additional product for realising this.
Solar panel prices – How much does a solar panel cost?
The total price on the basis of the components:
- PV array and their yield
- Inverter and power
- Cabling, how many meters are needed and the thickness of the cables
- Carrying structure
In addition to the photovoltaic panels, the inverter is the essential part of an installation. The inverter ensures that direct current is converted into the alternating current so that it is usable for household appliances. Inverters come in all sizes, weights and above all, prices. But the most important thing is that buying PV panels depends on the size of the installation and the necessary solar power. The power of the inverter is ideally between 90% and 110% of the Watt peak of the solar panel installation.
Many other brands have the same solution and quality. But not the distribution across Europe. Depending on one dealer in your area is a risk. For the best price is also a bit of competition helpful! To save on your energy bills is not a short-term decision! Before you earn money, you have to invest wisely.
Solar panel prices – How much does a solar panel cost?
Electrical cable dimensioning.
You have to connect the collector to the inverter via DC cables. The thicknesses of the wires are calculated based on the power that runs through the cables and the length of the cabling. Try to find a place for the inverter within 15 to 20 meters of the panels. The losses over the cabling then always remain below 1%.
If electricity flows through electricity cables, losses occur. Due to the resistance of the cabling. How significant these losses depend on some factors such as the length of the wire, the thickness or diameter of the cable, the material, the size of the current and the voltage.
We have two types of cables (this, of course, does not apply to microinverters). One cable runs from the panels to the inverter, and DC runs through (= Direct Current = DC cable). The other cable runs from the inverter to the meter cupboard. This cable is the 230-volt alternating current. The alternating current (= Alternating Current = AC cable) runs through this cable.
The electro-technical standard is a maximum of 5%. Every loss costs kilowatt hours, so that’s what we want to prevent. But this is also a cost consideration. The thicker the cable, the fewer losses, that also means more costs for the wires. With a medium-size installation, you need at least a DC cable of 4mm2 thickness. For the AC wire, you also need a diameter of 4mm2.
Solar panel prices – How much does a solar panel cost?
Carrying structure.
Solar panels get a lot to endure. Strong wind, rain and other thermal influences. Good assembly material is essential to guarantee a long service life. The right material affects the safety, speed and storm resistance.
For sloping roofs;
People will usually work with brackets and beams. You place them over the roof tiles. A convenient rail system makes the installation easy and fast. They are light profiles on which the PV collectors have there grip. They must be durable and weather-resistant to last a long time.
For flat roofs;
Panels that are set up in a landscape (lying) position on a flat roof usually has a better yield than panels in portrait (standing) position. The internal string distribution in the photovoltaic boards makes that different. When, for example, a drop shadow appears on the bottom of the array, the solar panel will not work in portrait at all. When this happens in landscape position, the panel will work for 2/3. Boards in landscape position, therefore, start earlier and last longer, throughout the year.
In practice, it means that panels on a flat roof often have a higher yield than on a sloping roof. The heat under the boards is disappearing better by the influence of wind or thermic.
The most important thing with all mounting solar PV systems is the installation. The material can still be so solid and well tested, but if it is not properly fastened, it does not help. The system is as weak as the weakest link.
Solar panel prices – How much does a solar panel cost?
How much does a solar energy home system cost?
Cost of solar panels is very variable. It starts with buying photovoltaic panels for a reasonable price. Here you can read which types are all there and which is essential to you. Do not buy too expensive, but panels that are most suitable. Then you choose an inverter that has the power to convert at least 90% green renewable energy from your photovoltaic system into usable alternating current.
If you find a dealer for your inverter, also look at the dealer. Look around in the shop. Google them on the internet for more information. Make sure that he is reliable for the next ten years. Place your inverter as close as posible by the installation for the shortest DC cables.
Buy cables that are thick enough. Take care for a minimum loss of electricity! It’s better to have thick ones than to thin. A perfect fitted frame to cary the panels is essential for a peach of mind in the next 20 years. Place the boards in the right angle. Here in Portugal and especially in the Algarve, it is better to have them in the right position for the winter sun than for the summer sun.
The return of your investment is also depending on the feed in tariff rates. Read more about it, at energy service for your home.
The attitude of “Who makes the cheapest panels?” will the cost of solar panels saving you money in the long term? Your system has to produce the next 20 years and to provide your electricity need.
Cheap is Cheap, and there is mostly a good reason for. A free solar panel is not existing!
Plan your solar project in an early stadium. Like to have some help with that?
