We’ll skip the technical details of how semi-conductive materials generate power via the photovoltaic effect. In a nutshell, a solar panel generates direct current (DC) power when it collects sunlight. The power that comes out of your home or business’s outlets, on the other hand, is alternating current (AC). To match, you’ll need a solar inverter to convert DC electricity from your solar panels into usable AC electricity to power your home or business when you go solar.

Over the lifetime of a solar panel system (25+ years), most people can save tens of thousands of dollars on electricity costs. The actual amount you can save is determined by a variety of factors, including how much you spend on electricity bills, how much electricity your solar panel system generates, local incentives, and so on. Comparing personalized solar quotes on our Marketplace is the best method to acquire accurate savings estimates — your quotations will take all of these aspects and more into account.

The cost of solar has reduced considerably in the recent decade (by more than 70%!). In 2020, the average cost of a solar panel system will be between $10,000 and $20,000, although it may cost more or less depending on your state, subsidies, the size of your system, the type of equipment you install, and the firm you choose. Fortunately, going solar does not require a large upfront investment: similar to buying a new car, there are affordable financing alternatives for both leasing and ownership that allow you to install without putting any money down.

More than ten, but not more than forty. We realize that’s a big range, but there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to solar: the number of panels you should put is determined by how much sun your property receives, your energy consumption, and the amount of space you have available for the installation. The majority of people create a system that can generate as much of their electricity as feasible (this is how you save the most money!)

Need? No, most individuals who go solar stay connected to the grid, which means you can use electricity from the grid if your solar panels aren’t producing enough. Solar batteries, even if you don’t need them, have some pretty significant advantages: if you live in a location where power outages are common, a battery will assist keep your solar-powered home going when the grid goes down. Installing a solar battery can also help you save money if your power company has demand charges or time-of-use pricing.