Average Solar Panel Cost

The average cost of solar panel is influenced by several factors, output of the panel, brand, type of panel, efficiency, etc. Cost being one of the biggest obstacles to widespread use of solar cells, the price of solar panels and the photovoltaic cells tend to differ a lot. On the whole, if you are planning to install a solar panel, you are looking at a considerable price which can be described as affordable to gigantic, depending on your requirements. For example a solar panel that has an output of 50 watts, will cost about $215 to $250. While a gigantic system of 8 kW to 10 Kw will cost you about $35,000 or so, depending upon the pricing factors that have been mentioned above. In addition to that if you are planning upon creating a solar panel setup that will take you off the grid, then you will also need to consider the solar panel installation cost.

Average Solar Panel Cost

There are several ways in which the average cost of the solar panels is computed. One of the common ways to view the cost faction of solar panel is to calculate the per watt cost. As of today, the total per watt cost of one solar panel ranges from $5 to $12 and sometimes even more. As of 2011, solar energy experts, derived that solar panel systems (actual panel plus the storage system) would become cheaper with a value of $3 to $5. This range also consists of the installation and storage facility. Now the big, problem is that, how does one compute the recovery. It is in fact, really difficult owning to the fact that solar panels tend to have a variable outputs due to natural and climatic conditions.

Another way of analyzing the cost of the panel is to assess the number of cells that are present in it. The estimate is that an average solar cell delivers a 70 milliwatts performance per square inch. As a result you will need a 41,000 square inch big solar panel for an average home that consumes 600 watts in 24 hours. A solar panel of such a size would cost about $16,000 to $17,000. The bigger the solar panel, the greater is its output. Plus, the greater the panel performance, the greater is the cost.

Average Cost by Type

When you get into researching price and efficiency of solar panel, you will realize that both of them depends on the grade of the photovoltaic cells. There are three types of such cells, namely, Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline which is sometimes also known as Multicrystalline and Amorphous cells which are arranged in the format of costliest to cheapest. Note that a common comparison of 1st second from installation has been provided to give you a better idea.

• Monocrystalline cells: Monocrystalline cells are cut from a single silicon crystals. These are most expensive of the three and are also the most effective, that is, they will deliver the maximum electricity. For example, a 2 watt, 0.5 volts 125mm by 125 mm solar cell will cost you about $275 to $300.
• Polycrystalline: Polycrystalline or Multicrystalline cells which are cut out from a block of silicon are a bit less efficient and thus a bit less costly. A panel that uses 125mm by 125mm cells to give a 33 watt output costs about $260 to $300.
• Amorphous: Amorphous solar cells are the least productive, least costly and also least effective. A 5" by 12.5", gives a 2 watt output, and costs about $16.

Please note that the solar cell's life, spans over 20 to 25 years hence, no need to worry.

Average Cost of Products

Here are some products which are quite prominently used. Let's have a look at their details and prices.

• A Polycrystalline Solar Panel by Sharp Electronics that gives an output of 123 Watt, costs $650.
• The BP Solar 215 Watt solar panel costs $585 or so.
• Ever Green Black Frame solar panel, which gives an output of 210 watts, costs $581.
• Sunforce 39310 Sharp Polycrystalline solar panel, which gives a 130 Watt output costs about $788.
• Smaller phone chargers which work on solar energy cost about $70. There are some models that come in for about $15 and also $50.
• On the other hand solar panels that charge laptop batteries cost about $250.
• Solar energy operated water pumps tend to have a price of about $60 which goes on increasing with the capacity of the pump.

On the whole ascertaining the recovery cost of any solar panel is difficult. Hence several people also use the energy calculators that are available on several websites to compare efficiency of solar panels.