The Solar Cost Guide Your Resource for Solar Cost Information

19Jul/090

Solar Information Center – Kyocera Solar Panels

Solar Information Center Kyocera Solar Panels

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Component costs

Let me begin by saying that I do not think it's a good idea to go out and try to build a system of individual components yourself. Unless you have experience in electrical work or are already a professional site, this can complicate what is already a complicated process. I also get calls from people who have inherited some solar panels or an investor bought on eBay. Certainly you can improvise a system, along with used parts, but keep in mind that the efficiency progress is being made in this industry so fast that even the panels are made 4 years behind the times. The best way to start is with brand new products.

Panels

Solar panels vary in cost, but are now rapidly becoming a commodity in terms of pricing. You can find many Chinese manufacturers offering $ 2/watt panels. But what will you do when you have a warranty issue? Chances are your company panel is missing or impossible to achieve.

We recommend using a brand name for the panels. In my opinion, Sharp, Sanyo, Mitsubishi, and Kyocera are all excellent panels. Evergreen panels, which are American made, and REC made in Norway, the panels are good, but less frequently. For these brand of solar panels can to pay between $ 3.00 to $ 4.00 retail per watt. Obviously, the more you buy the better price per watt will be.

Investors

There are three major investor makes the lion share of solar: SMA (Sunny Boy line is one of the most popular in the world); Fronius (SMA as a German firm) and Xantrex (which makes a variety of electrical gear). You really can not go wrong with these brands, but of course that means that cost a little more too. For pure sine wave inverters, which is what you want for 99% of American homes, you can expect to pay about $ 2,500 by a 2000 watt inverter.

There are many other brands that you can get investors for about $ 2000 (PV Powered, Outback, and Samlex come to mind) and could be perfectly acceptable for your system. One thing to consider is that since it connects to the network, its usefulness, probably has a list acceptable investors. Be sure to check with them before buying anything.

Racking

There are so many manufacturers of shelving and types (eg, roof, ground, pole) appears that every day I learn of a new manufacturer. Generally not too demanding on the shelf companies. The key part is making sure you are buying the right panels and racks for the type of installation you have. Uni-Rac, Iron Ridge and the Department of Public Works are all reputable brands and can handle 90% of installation specifications. For a 2000 watt colored roof mounting system you can expect to pay about $ 800-1000 for the rails, brackets and clamps. Floor and tilt mounting systems get more expensive because there are more parties involved.

Wiring, disconnects and accessories

This is a difficult part to estimate because it depends on the installation and the distance between the panels and inverter. A key concept is to realize the greater the distance between panels and the investor, the bigger and more expensive than the wire will be. DC power supply, as water must travel through the largest cable more amperage to maintain efficiency. For a 2000W system would budget about $ 400 for a typical wiring, disconnect, fuses, lighting arresters and installation ducts.

Complete System Costs

Ok, so it was difficult to estimate how a system. The fact is that companies have recognized that most people want an all-in-a-system. These kits can be customized to the application of the particles and come with the parts you need and, most importantly, instructions and drawings! However, this is like putting together the entertainment center of Target, but with a little patience, tools, and a little help from an electrician, These kits are really feasible.

The best part of the kit is cost. If you do the math in the system before they're talking about $ 12,000 - $ 14,000 and you must match all components. Kits generally range from $ 5 - $ 6 per watt. So our example system 2000 watts would be closer to $ 10,000. And its a complete package, some customers have to add duct and some wires, but for most of its key systems.

Micro-inverter Systems

We played at the micro-inverter system before, but I wanted to talk about the cost quickly. These inverters are intended to be connected directly to a panel of around 230W. Then, the inverter may be connected to the network. This changes the economics of the system significantly because you can get a 230W panel for about $ 700, an investor in small businesses for $ 230, and a small rack system for $ 100. Add in some wires, a fuse and a disconnect and you just go solar network connection of about $ 1300. Not bad eh?

Next week we will start the installation.

Kriss network Bergethon lives with his wife in Colorado. For more information, visit: Solar Panels thin film.

Kriss Bergethon is a solar expert and writer. For more of his useful articles on solar power, please visit Solar Panel Kits.