Powering Your Future

How much do solar panels cost for a 3000 square foot house?

Feb 1, 2021 9:15:34 PM / by Elise Vue

When it comes to sizing the right solar system for your home and the costs associated, there can be a lot of uncertainty and confusion. We get it. It’s a big decision. 

While it may seem like a big ticket item, what other sales consultants don’t tell you is that the actual cost is a lot less than what you sign up for. Let us break it down for you.

As of July 2020, the average cost of solar in the U.S. is $2.91 per watt. 

Solar panels are quickly taking over the clean energy space and becoming more affordable for commercial and residential customers every year. They are actually quite affordable now, and it’s easy to find the best options for your home at the best prices in the industry. 

We know you’re probably doing a lot of work and research to find the best solutions for your energy needs. Let us take some of the pressure off and walk you through how to determine the cost of your solar panels.

There are a few things to consider when estimating the cost of solar panels for your 2,500-3000 square foot home. Here are some of the questions you’ll need to ask yourself.

 

Solar panel installation cost breakdown

What size solar system do you need? How much power do you use on a typical day?

The easiest way to determine how many kilowatt hours of power you’re using is to check your utility bill. PG&E and SMUD outline how much power you’re pulling from the grid at various points in the day. This number will tell you how big your solar panel system needs to be to satisfy your needs and keep your home powered during the busiest parts of your day. 

Check out the sample PG&E bill below. Under the “Electricity usage” section, you’ll see your kilowatt hours for the billed period under energy charges. This tells you how much electricity you needed during that period, and will help you determine the size of your solar panel system.

 

What type of solar panels do you want?

There are lots of different types of solar panels out there. Some are more efficient than others, some are sleek and black, while others are blue with a grid pattern on them. Some brand names you may recognize, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re more efficient or powerful than a standard solar panel from a brand you’re unfamiliar with. 

You obviously want to be happy with the look of your solar panels, as well as the amount of power they produce. If brand and style are important to you, that’s totally understandable, but there will be less wiggle room to get your cost down. Check out which panels Westhaven Power offers - we’re happy to walk you through your options and help you pick the best option for your particular needs.

Will you finance the system or pay cash?

This decision will evidently have the biggest impact on how much your solar panels cost. If you decide to pay with cash, you’ll be paying for the full system upfront. This will be a bigger chunk of cash in one go, but if you have the means, this option means you will no longer have to pay a full monthly bill. 

If you decide to finance your solar panel system, your credit score and length of the finance agreement will determine how much you pay per month. Westhaven Power offers prices as low as $67 per month with a 0.99% APR, some of the lowest rates in the industry. Financing your solar system will help you see an instant ROI on your solar system. If your typical utility bill is $300, you’re now paying only $67, and you’re reaping the benefits of more reliable, safe power.

 

One last immediate factor to think about is the solar investment tax credit (ITC). In 2021, you can get 26% of your solar system paid for by the federal government. That means on a $20,000 system, you’d save an extra $4,400. The future of the ITC is not 100% certain, so it’s smart to take advantage of this incentive while it’s available.

 

Choosing the right company and looking forward

Choosing your solar provider will make a difference in cost because you will need to pay for the labor cost to install solar panels. Every company pays their installers differently, so this is a factor that will play into the overall cost. 

You should also think about the future of your solar panels. Your solar panel system isn’t just a purchase, it’s an investment. It is crucial that you pick the right company to install your solar panels to make sure that they are installed correctly, and checked regularly for quality assurance.

At Westhaven Power, our installers are well-trained, experienced, and make sure your panels are operating properly before leaving your property on installation day. We also have Power Guard, our power production guarantee, where we monitor your solar panels’ production to make sure they are continuing to operate effectively. If your solar panels are losing production, we can even perform a solar detailing to get them squeaky clean and functioning at their best. Most solar panels come with a 25 year warranty from the manufacturer, as well. It’s just as important to think about the future of your solar panels and the upkeep of your system as it is when considering the initial design of your system.

Once you have all of this information compiled, there’s a bit of variance that goes into how much it will cost to outfit your home. At Westhaven Power, we’re happy to conduct a hassle-free, no-obligation call to walk you through all your solar options and find what options will work best for your home and your budget. You can book a virtual call here.

We are also excited to provide a brilliant new service to get you a quick ballpark solar estimate. All you have to do is enter your address into our solar calculator, and using satellite technology, Ally will estimate the size of your recommended solar panel system and your estimated cost per month. You’ll also see an estimate on your home value increase, your environmental impact, and 25 year savings with solar. 

 

So, what are you waiting for? The time to go solar is now and we’re here to help you find the best options. Book an appointment with us, bring your utility bill, and we’ll handle the rest, from helping you design the best system for your needs, to permitting, installation, and activation. Book an appointment with us today to learn everything you need to know. We look forward to meeting with you. https://westhavenpower.as.me/schedule.php 

Tags: solar, solar panels, solar systems, energy savings, electric bills, Rooftop solar

Elise Vue

Written by Elise Vue