Residential Solar Panel Cost Guide: All You Need to Know in 2022

Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular in US homes. More than 500,000 home solar systems were installed in the US last year, for the first time, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Electricity is also becoming more expensive each month: there was a 12% increase in average kilowatt-hour prices between May 2021 and May 2022, making solar power an even more attractive investment for homes and businesses.

A solar panel system can seem expensive when you only consider its upfront cost, but the savings achieved over time are much higher. Also, a home solar system has minimal maintenance requirements, and you can get excellent warranty coverage if you use high-quality brands.

In this guide, we will discuss the typical cost of installing solar panels in a US home, based on the data provided from three reliable sources:

The exact cost of going solar depends on several factors, including your location and the condition of your roof. However, US homeowners can normally expect to pay between $2.50 and $3.50 per watt of installed capacity. Your out-of-pocket cost can be much lower if your state government or utility company has an incentive program for solar panels.

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Are Solar Panels Worth the Cost? All You Need to Know

If you’re a homeowner who is considering a solar power system, you probably have a few questions to get out of the way before reaching a final decision. Getting familiarized with the technical features of solar panels is a good start, since you will know what they can do and what they cannot.

You should also consider the decision from a financial standpoint: having an idea of typical costs and savings is helpful.

There are many solar panel brands in the market, and their products look similar. High-quality solar brands are more expensive, but their benefits outweigh their higher price:

  • A typical service life of 25 years or more, covered by a warranty.
  • You get solar panels that meet international standards, which have been tested for electrical safety and fire safety.
  • There are many qualified vendors and installers, approved by the top solar brands.

Unlike many other home improvements, solar panels are characterized by their predictable costs. The exact price will depend on the brand and installer, but many home solar systems fall in the range of $2.5 to $3.5 per watt of installed capacity. This means that prices between $15,000 and $21,000 are typical for a 6-kilowatt installation.

In the US, you get a percentage of this investment back as a federal tax credit, depending on the installation date: 26% for 2022, and 22% for 2023.

The savings achieved by solar panels are much more variable since they depend on external factors. Solar savings are determined in great part by local sunshine and electricity prices. Each PV module generates more kilowatt-hours if the local weather is sunny, and each kWh is worth more when electricity is expensive.

Here we will discuss solar panels from an investment standpoint, comparing their typical costs and savings. We will also discuss their pros and cons, providing useful facts for homeowners who are considering solar energy.

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Ground Source Heat Pump Cost – The Ultimate Buying Guide

Ground source heat pumps, also called geothermal heat pumps, are your most efficient central HVAC option – and your most expensive one.

geothermal heat pump system
source: Energy.gov

And that leads to…

Geothermal’s Big Question: Is cutting energy use and operating cost every month by 15% to more than 60% compared with an air source heat pump worth the upfront cost of a geothermal heat pump system?

There is no universal “right answer” because each situation is unique. So, the information provided here will help you answer that question within your own context.

“15% to more than 60%”? Yes, when comparing the efficiency of traditional split system heat pumps to geothermal heat pumps. Air source units are available in SEER ratings of 14 to 26 SEER.

Ground source heat pumps are produced with efficiencies of 18 to 58 EER, which is equivalent to 20.5 to 67 SEER. For further comparison, mini split ductless heat pumps range in efficiency from about 16 to 42 SEER.

OK, with that groundwork done, let’s get to the details.

Cost Range

$14,000 to $42,000 for most systems. The most expensive can exceed $50,000, but that’s rare.

Geothermal heat pump cost varies widely – some would say wildly – because of your system options, which are outlined below.

The price of a complete, new system is $14,000 to $42,000 – that’s the “wild” range. Most homeowners pay closer to the middle of the normal range of $21,500 to $32,000 based on the system size and the type of loop system used. If your cost estimate is in the upper-$20,000s, it will be close to average.

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