Before starting with the prices, let me first remind of the positive and the negative aspects of the solar energy.
The PROS:
There are certainly numerous pros to having solar energy. The first and perhaps best thing about solar energy is that it gives off no pollution as it is clean and renewable. So it is very environment friendly. Another wonderful pro is that it saves you money on your utility bills. You definitely can't go wrong there! The panels for your home are also maintenance free and will last for years to come. And lastly, you will become less dependent on things like fossil fuel and will not have to worry about the constant increase of prices!
The CONS:
As with everything, there are cons to solar energy as well. The biggest con of solar energy is the start up costs. These panels are generally quite expensive including installation fees. It is definitely a long term investment that will more than likely take a few years to pay off. Another con is that the weather affects the effectiveness of the solar panels although there is storage devices that you can buy to get you through these times; however, the amount of solar energy will be considerably less.
It's important to consider the solar energy pros and cons before purchasing solar panels to make your home energy efficient. For those who cannot afford the start up costs, consider building solar panels. I've come across many websites that can tell you how to make your own solar panel for less than $200. It certainly would reduce the burden of the start up costs and make solar power for homes more advantageous.
Solar panels prices and cost per watt
The prices of the panels vary slightly depending on the company in which you buy the solar panel from and how many watts you need. A DuPont panel has 95 watts and will cost approximately $160.55. Now averaging that out per watt is $1.69.
For a panel with more watts, there is DM Solar. This solar panel is 140 watts. The cost will run you approximately $280.00 which equals to be about $2.00 per watt.
Bigger solar panels prices
For those who are looking for a bigger panel of around 230 watts, there are a few different brands you can purchase including REC and DM Solar. The prices range from $425.50-$662.00 which is approximately $1.85-$2.88 per watt.
Now, those prices don't seem so bad right? But when it comes to solar power for homes, you must realize that you may need more than one solar panel. Furthermore, you have to consider the costs for installation. Installation can be pretty expensive. For a complete solar panel system installation can run you about $6.00-$8.00 per watt. That's pretty crazy!
Fortunately, for those who cannot shell out that kind of money, there is a more cost efficient alternative. And that is building solar panels! You can make your own solar panel that would be 100 watts for between $100.00 and $150.00! That is only $1.00-$1.50 per watt! You could even install the panel yourself! By following this route, you will not only save thousands of dollars but you will save money on your utility bills as well!
Before purchasing these panels, consider all the prices as well as home solar panels cost and see if it works for you. If not, try making your own and installing it yourself and see for yourself how much money you can save!
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