If you are new to alternative energy and solar power then you are probably wondering, how much do solar panels cost? The cost of solar panels alone is often enough to send most people running for the hills. But the dollar figures that everyone throws around are typically only for commercial solar panels. There are many other solar panel options that most people do not talk about which can help you to drastically reduce the price.

How Much Do Commercial Solar Panels Cost?

Like I said earlier, most people only discuss the cost of commercial solar panels which are the most expensive way to go. The price depends on the solar panel power output or wattage. You can expect to pay anywhere between $5 and $7 per watt. So a typical 100 watt solar panel will cost you between $500 and $700. But typically the price goes down with quantity so if you are only looking to buy a few, you can expect to pay more towards the higher end.

How Much Do Homemade Solar Panels Cost?

Homemade solar panels are what I use for my own home solar power system. This is mostly because I enjoy the satisfaction of being able to build everything by hand but also because they are very cheap. However, there can be a little variation in the cost of building homemade solar panels.

Typical you can expect to pay around $1 per watt for a homemade solar panel.  I have seen people build a 60 watt solar panel for under $30 or a professional looking 80 watt solar panel for under $150. But the typically the cost for an 80 watt panel will be around $100.
Personally, I build the more professional looking and higher quality homemade solar panels because I have found that they last longer.

How Much Do Solar Panel Kits Cost?

You can also save a little bit of money with a home solar panel kit. These kits come with everything you need and all you have to do is assemble the parts. Again, the price of these kits depends on the wattage of the panel. There is some cost savings compared to the commercial panels but not a lot.

You can expect to pay between $4 and $5 per watt for these home solar panel kits. One downside of these kits is that they tend to be smaller wattage panels. For example, you can get a 42 watt solar panel for around $170.

How Much Do Used Solar Panels Cost?

Used solar panels are another great option for getting cheap solar panels. One word of caution though is to watch out for how long the solar panels have been used before you purchase them. The typical lifetime of a solar panel is 20 years with proper maintenance.

You can expect to pay between $2 and $3 per watt for a used solar panel. So it really depends on how old it is as to whether or not it is a good deal. For example, if you purchase a 10 year old panel  with 10 years of life remaining for $3 per watt then that is equivalent to a brand new panel with 20 years of life remaining for $6 because the new panel will last twice as long. So you want to be careful.

I hope I have answered all of your, how much do solar panels cost, questions and showed you how you can generate your own solar electricity for much cheaper than you may have thought. I highly encourage you to pursue your interest in solar energy. It is a great feeling to be part of such a good cause by going green and using renewable energy.

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