| “How much does solar energy cost” is a difficult | | | | heating system is $2,000-$4,000. |
| question to answer but this article will hopefully give | | | | Photovoltaic System: The price of a solar panel |
| you some good pointers. | | | | depends on its wattage. A 1 kW system costs |
| The cost of using solar energy is next to nothing after | | | | between US $8,000 and $10,000. For an average |
| the initial investment of setting up your solar power | | | | sized family, 1.5 – 3 kW solar panels are required, |
| system for your home. The amount of money that | | | | which cost between US $13,000 and US $27,000, |
| you will pay for the equipment is determined by a | | | | without rebates. |
| number of variables. | | | | You can save a lot of money on solar panels with the |
| Factors that determine the cost of solar energy | | | | help of government rebates and tax credits. For |
| include your electricity requirements, the amount of | | | | example, say you live in California and have purchased |
| sunshine that is available to charge the solar panels, | | | | a 2.5 kW system for $22,500. |
| size of the place where the panels will be used and | | | | The government rebate on this system will be $7000 |
| incentives given by the government to people using | | | | (2500 watt x $2.80 per watt rebate = $7,000). Also |
| ‘green’ technology. | | | | subtract the tax credit amount of $ 1,163 from the sale |
| And governments and states are recognizing the | | | | price (7.5% of system cost after rebate. $22,500 – |
| benefit to society at large to encourage the use of | | | | $7,000 x 7.5% = $1,163). |
| renewable energy sources. Clearly this would also | | | | It should be kept in mind that the example given above |
| have the effect of reducing the obligation on | | | | is an estimate and other factors will play a part in |
| government to provide power which is an increasingly | | | | determining the final cost price of a solar energy |
| onerous task because of the depletion in fossil fuel | | | | system. |
| supplies. | | | | You can reduce these costs enormously though by |
| Taking into account the above mentioned variables, | | | | building your own solar panels which can be built at a |
| here is a rough estimate of the cost of solar energy. | | | | fraction of the cost of buying ready made units. |
| Water Heating System: The cost of a solar water | | | | |