Home Solar Prices Increase Again – SEIA Solar Report (September 2022)

The Solar Market Insight Report is a quarterly publication that describes the current state of the US solar industry, providing the latest data on installation volumes and costs.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and leading consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie work together on each edition of the SMI report, and the Q3 2022 edition was published on September 8.

Here we will summarize the main points from their latest report, focusing on the residential solar market.

  • Across all market segments, the US solar industry deployed 4.6 gigawatts (GW) of capacity during Q2 2022, and the accumulated solar capacity throughout the country now exceeds 130 GW.
  • To put this figure into perspective, the US now has enough photovoltaic capacity to provide electricity for 23 million households.
  • Residential solar panel system costs increased by ~6% in Q2 from Q1, averaging $3.25 per watt installed, before incentives.
  • A typical 6-kW PV system now costs $19,500 before the incentives.

Solar PV remains the fastest growing electricity source in America, representing 39% of power generation capacity installed during the first half of 2022.

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5 Best Roof (Attic) Insulation Options: Cost, Pros & Cons, Comparison

Space heating and air conditioning are the top energy expenses in US homes, representing 51% of total consumption according to the US Energy Information Administration.

However, this also means there is a major opportunity for energy efficiency measures that reduce your heating and cooling costs. There are three main ways to achieve this, which can be combined for greater effect:

  • Upgrade to newer HVAC equipment with a higher nameplate efficiency and a lower operating cost.
  • Use smart controls and thermostat setback to optimize the operation of heating and cooling equipment.
  • Improve your insulation level and seal air leaks, which reduces the workload on your space heating and air conditioning system.

As a rule of thumb, your home loses 25% of its heat through the roof during winter, and gains 25% of outdoor heat through the roof during summer. This means you can greatly reduce your annual heating and cooling costs by improving roof insulation.

In this guide, we will discuss the best roof insulation options available for homeowners.

  • Foam board or rigid foam insulation
  • Loose-fill or blown-in insulation
  • Spray foam and foamed-in-place insulation
  • Structural insulated panels (SIP)
  • Batt and roll insulation

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CertainTeed Roofing Shingles: Landmark Shingles Costs, Pros & Cons

CertainTeed is considered one of the asphalt shingle industry’s top-tier manufacturers for quality and performance. But is it?

Lines like Presidential Shake and super-premium Grand Manor shingles live up to CertainTeed’s reputation; the brand’s largest line, the mid-level Landmark shingles, don’t get the ratings you might expect – ratings are discussed below.

Overview of Options and Cost

CertainTeed carries a huge selection of shingle products from their luxury, mid-grade dimensional or designer shingles, to their standard strip shingles, aka 3-tab shingles.

CertainTeed products tend to be slightly more expensive than most other brands at the top end. But these premium shingles do get generally high marks for durability and longevity. And they are backed by Lifetime warranties.

Asphalt Shingles

$8,500
Average Cost
Metal Roof

$15,500
Average Cost
Flat Roof Membrane

$11,500
Average Cost

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All lines considered; CertainTeed shingles typically cost between $4.00 and $8.50 per square foot installed – that’s the same as saying $400 to $850 per square (100 square feet of roofing) installed.

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