At Black Hills Solar, we're committed to helping you make informed decisions tailored to your needs. Dive into our Pricing page or click "Get Started" for further guidance.
Comparing Solar Power Systems
Price-Per-Watt:Â This metric divides the total installed price (excluding battery components) by the system's total power rating in watts. For instance, installing a 6,000-watt (6 kW) solar power system at $15,000 equates to $2.50 per watt. This method offers a straightforward way to gauge and compare the costs of solar installations, primarily from an energy investment perspective.
Price-Per-Panel:Â Particularly useful for assessing the cost of expanding your solar system, the price-per-panel method helps estimate the investment required for additional panels. Typically, our rooftop solar installations are between $800 and $1,100 per solar panel.
Factors Influencing Pricing
Several elements affect the final price of a solar power system:
Product Capabilities: Higher efficiency systems (i.e. microinverters) have additional equipment and installation costs.
Roof Type: Complex solar panel layouts, second-story rooftops, and certain roofing types (i.e. tile) require extra labor.
Electrical Work: Breaker panel locations and wire lengths needed affect material and installation costs.
Economies of Scale:Â Larger installations tend to lower the price-per-panel due to fixed costs like wiring remaining relatively constant.
Special Considerations
Ground-mounted systems often incur an additional $5,000 to $8,000 due to the need for excavation and infrastructure work (more info).
Battery power systems:Â Unlike solar panels, batteries are evaluated differently since they store rather than generate energy. The power capacity (kW) and energy storage capacity (kWh) of a battery can help compare costs between options, but each battery system has distinct features and installation requirements that make a straightforward comparison less tenable.
Federal Tax Credit: Our pricing/quotes do not include the federal investment tax credit. You claim the tax credit when you do your taxes for the year that the system is installed. The tax credit amount is 30% of the total installed price (qualifying solar electric and energy storage property costs). The credit balance also carries over each year until fully utilized. See IRS form 5695 to learn more.
Making Solar Work for You
At Black Hills Solar, we believe in a future where solar energy is accessible and affordable for everyone. Whether you're considering adding solar panels to your rooftop or integrating a state-of-the-art battery system, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process. Visit our Pricing page or click "Get Started" for more information.
