Solar Cheat Sheet: Your Guide to Getting Solar Panels
In recent times, residential solar panels have become an increasingly attractive way to meet your home’s energy needs. Rising energy costs in the U.S., coupled with falling solar panel prices thanks to federal tax credits, have made the economics of solar not only feasible, but also beneficial to homeowners in the long run.
“If you looked at solar a few years ago, the cost has only gone down since then,” said Ben Delman, communications director at Solar energy United Neighbors“It depends on your situation, but more and more homeowners and families are deciding that solar is a logical way for them to save money by taking control of where their electricity comes from.”
Below, you’ll find CNET’s expert advice to help you buy solar panels.
Solar panels are suitable for many different climates and are not only used in the sunniest areas.
How do solar panels work?
Buying a solar panel system means buying a lot of equipment that the average person has no reason to know about. In the most basic terms, photons from the sun are absorbed by the solar panels and converted into direct current, or DC, electricity. In order for this energy to be used in American homes, it must go through an inverter attached to the solar panel to become alternating current, or AC, electricity.
Find out what you’re actually buying with the help of the stories below:
Is there a solar panel option that is right for me?
Fortunately, for those interested in solar energy, there are many options available that allow homeowners and even renters to cover some or most of their electricity needs with energy from the sun.
The most common way for homeowners to go solar is to install panels on their roofs. These systems can be purchased directly from an installer (or installed for DIYers) as a large cash purchase or through relatively affordable financing (such as a 1.99% APR 15-year loan). There are also rooftop solar options for those who may not have the capital to start a project. These include solar leases, in which a homeowner pays a fixed monthly fee to a company that retains ownership of a solar system; or a power purchase agreement, in which a homeowner pays for the electricity generated by the solar panels instead of the system itself.
Finally, in many places, both homeowners and renters have access to community solar. This option allows people to sign up for a nearby solar farm to take advantage of energy savings.
Regular cleaning can improve the output of solar panels, especially in dry, dusty climates.
How much do solar panels cost?
The cost of solar panels depends on a number of factors, including where you live, how much of your energy needs you want the system to cover, whether you install it yourself, and whether you want a battery (which can cost as much as the system itself). average costs was about $3 per watt for an 8 kW system through an installer in 2022, according to consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.
How you pay for your system is vital. You will see the biggest hit to your bank balance if you pay for solar outright, while financing will spread the cost over years but with added interest. A lease or PPA is the most budget-friendly option, but you won’t get the long-term benefits of owning a system outright.
How much do solar panels cost in my state?
Here is the average total cash price, cost per watt, and system size for a solar panel system in your state, according to data from FindEnergy.com. These prices do not include tax credits or state incentives. Certain states do not have FindEnergy solar data and are grayed out on the map.
How much money do I save with solar panels?
If you purchase or finance a system outright, you will receive a 30% tax deduction through the Inflation Reduction Act.
To get a better idea of when you can expect to see a return on your investment, look at how much energy you’ve used over the past year or two and how much it’s cost you. Then work with an installer to determine how much of your energy you’ll want to offset with solar and how much the system will cost. Ultimately, the savings from not having to buy electricity from your utility will be greater than the cost of the solar system itself.
“In terms of payback time, seven to 12 years is a reasonable average if you see a return on your solar investment after purchasing a system,” Delman said.
For some homes, ground-mounted solar panels may be a better option.
Can I install solar panels myself?
It is possible to install most of a solar panel system yourself: mounting the panels on your roof and connecting them together. However, if your home is connected to a grid, you will need to hire a licensed electrician to make the final connections needed to deliver electricity to your utility.
“Another thing to keep in mind if you’re doing it yourself is whether the warranties for the panels you’re buying require them to be installed by a professional,” Delman said. “Oftentimes, people who do it themselves will hire an electrician to do the finishing work so it can be certified. It’s also good if you’re not an expert to have someone with expertise go over the wiring and make sure everything is in the right place.”
Where can I buy solar panels?
If you want to buy panels directly, most hardware stores and larger retailers have them available. If you want to get them through a professional, a good place to start, according to Delman, is the website of your local solar industry association (for example, the New York Solar Industry Association). These organizations should have a list of members, which often includes installers and suppliers. Typically, installers work with one or two brands of solar panels.
“Find an installer who has experience, especially with the type of situation you have in your home,” Delman said. “Have they worked with the same roofing materials? Are you looking to have a ground mount system installed? Check reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List, Google and others, and ask for references, too.” (Solar United Neighbors also offers Resources for Switching to Solar Energyfree.)
The best way to ensure you get the best deal on your solar panels is to get multiple quotes and ask as many questions as you need to of your potential installers. CNET has reviewed many of the national solar companies, but it’s a good idea to check local installers as well, who can sometimes offer lower prices.
How do I maintain solar panels?
Solar panel maintenance is generally minimal and fairly simple, but we have the information you need to keep your panels in the best possible condition.
Does solar energy work where I live?
Solar panels generally work in a variety of climates, even those with cold winters. The most important questions to ask are: Is my roof getting enough sunlight? Are there trees shading my roof? And most importantly, does my utility offer net metering?
Net metering is perhaps the most important aspect of solar energy, because it ensures that your utility pays you for the energy that is generated by your solar panels and that you do not use. Net metering ensures that the return on your solar investment is financially sound.
Learn more about solar energy in your state
not defined
Do I need a spare battery?
For most homeowners, buying a backup battery is an expensive proposition, costing nearly as much as a solar system itself. Solar batteries can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $22,000, according to the US Department of EnergyIf your home is connected to the electricity grid, then the price of batteries is high and the home falls squarely into the non-essential category.
That said, there are cases where a battery may be worth the cost. If your area is prone to frequent blackouts and/or you have medical needs that require things like cold insulin or medical equipment, a battery is a good investment. Batteries are also a necessity if you live off-grid.
You need a battery to go off-grid with solar panels. A bigger one than this one.
Does solar energy increase the value of my home?
Solar has another benefit for homeowners: it can boost the value of their properties if and when they decide to sell. According to studies by the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab And ZillowHomes with solar panels often sell for about $10,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Are solar panels a scam?
No. Solar panels are a proven technology that can help you shift some of your energy consumption to cheaper, greener electricity. But that doesn’t mean that scam companies (although apparently rare) don’t exist. The company discussed in the story below recently went out of business, but a little caution is a good thing.
What is netting?
Net metering, the process by which you are paid for the electricity generated by your solar panels but fed back into the grid, is an important factor in whether homeowners should go solar.
“Let’s say you’re at work on a nice sunny day, the lights are off, the TV is off, the dishwasher is off, so you’re probably generating more electricity than you’re using,” Delman said. “When that happens, that electricity goes through your electric meter and into the grid to be used by your neighbors. Net metering makes sure that you get credit for that electricity, so your investment is still getting a return even if you’re not using the electricity yourself.”
You can see what your state’s policy is regarding net metering is here.
Should I switch to solar energy?
Solar isn’t an option for everyone. If your home doesn’t get enough sunlight due to shade on your roof, you live in a state without net metering, or there’s no community solar, solar may not be feasible for you.
But with rising energy costs and the price of solar panels dropping, there’s never been a better time for many people to go solar. There are options for going solar that should meet most people’s needs, whether that’s through financing, a solar lease, PPA, or community solar, which can help you see almost immediate savings on your energy bills. Most estimates say that a solar system will start to pay for itself after seven to 12 years.
When you power your home with solar energy, you not only get electricity from a clean source, you also get an unparalleled return on your investment, saving you money on your energy bills and increasing the value of your home.
