The Cost of residential solar systems

The average American household uses ~ 30 kWh of energy per day. Most residential solar systems will attempt to match the size of the system to the your home's energy usage. A 5 kW system will produce about 20 kWh of electricity on a day with good sun exposure. A 10 kW system will produce double that, 40 kWh per day.

Solar panels are measured by the number of watts they produce in optimal light in an hour. Good reliable brands produce between 370 - 430 watts per hour. Keep in mind that the watt ratings of solar panels are under lab conditions. Typically a home owner can expect new solar panels to perform between 85-95% of their rating in real world conditions.

Solar system energy output is heavily dependant on how much sunlight the panels are exposed to. This can vary broadly by location. 

A 5kW solar system will produce A 5kW system will need 15-20 panels and will produce about 20 kWh of electricity per day. and how they are positioned on a home's roof will have impact the level of energy produced

A 10 kW solar system might be a good fit for larger houses that use more energy and have more available roof space. 27-35 solar panels will make up a typical 10kW system and it wil produce about 40 kWh of electricity per day.

Net metering is an important factor in most home solar systems. Under a net metering program your house is still connected to the grid. The energy from your solar system is used to power your house and any extra energy produces goes to the grid to power your neighbors. If your home is using more energy then your system is producing which is often the case at night then your home will use power from the grid.

Solar systems produce between 80 - 90% of their total energy output during their peak sunlight exposure. This means that for most during these peak hours they are producing more energy than their home is using. While at night your home is using energy without producing any energy. Batteries bridge this gap and allow your solar system to store energy during the day to be used at night. 

Here are a list of things customer should look for to explain price differences in solar systems

1. The size of the solar systems is the main variable. Larger systems are more expensive.

2.Equipment quality and warranties

3. Local and state tax credits and renewable energy incentives

4. Reliability and customer service of their solar installer.

5. Maintenance & repair plans 

 Determining the price of solar panels for home installations involves various factors. The size of the system, panel quality, installation complexity, and additional equipment, influence the overall costs. Typically, residential setups range from $12,000 to $35,000 on average. For an accurate estimate, be sure to work with  reputable solar companies that will evaluate your home’s energy usage and various federal and state incentives to customize your quotes. It's important to note that on top of the positive environmental impact of going solar, customers should also aim to save money on their monthly energy costs and see a significant return on their investment with residential solar.