Overview

The cost of a standard home solar electric system can be anywhere from $25,000 to $70,000 depending on these factors:

System size: Larger systems will of course be more expensive. The size of the system needed will be determined by how much energy you require the system product.
Brand of equipment: Prices for panels vary from brand to brand.
Equipment quality: As with brands, there are different levels of panel quality which vary in efficiency.
Cost of Labor / Rebates / Special Offers

Larger state rebates make for a less expensive system. Most solar installation companies will let you pay the after-rebate price and then they'll take the rebate when it comes. In other cases you may have to pay the full price of the system and wait for the rebate yourself . The costs of solar energy can be high. Overall, the cost of a solar system is usually between $8 and $10 per AC watt and this adds up to a high total price tag. But, when you buy a solar system, you're paying in advance for 25-30 years of power.

When you think of it that way, the cost of solar energy is not much compared to what this power will cost from the utility company over the next 25-30 years. This is especially true when you think about solar as an investment in your home. Plus, with new and innovative options for home solar financing, solar power can be surprisingly affordable.