As solar price continues to get cheaper, more and more people are deciding to install bigger solar system sizes. 10 kilowatts (kW) solar systems are becoming increasingly popular alternative energy options for large homes and small offices.
However, a 10kW solar system remains a substantial investment, so let us have a look and see if a solar system of the size is ideal for you.
How much does an ordinary 10kW solar system price?
With the average solar price in $3.18 per watt of installed solar, a 10kW solar power system in the United States will cost around $31,800. When you take the federal solar tax credit into consideration, that cost drops down to about $23,500.
Solar system prices will differ from state to state. Additional state or utility-based solar rebates and incentives may decrease the installation cost even more in some regions.
Can you fund a 10kW solar system?
The high price tag of a solar panel system can be intimidating. If you don't have the upfront money to put in a 10kW solar system, several financing options are available.
If you are eligible, a zero-down solar loan is a superb way to fund your solar system. Solar loans enable you to have your system and still find substantial long-term electric bill savings.
In some states, solar firms may offer solar rentals or solar energy purchase agreements (PPAs). With solar loans and solar leases, you do not cover the upfront costs of solar. Rather, the solar company owns the solar panels on your roof, and you pay them a monthly payment for the solar energy that the machine generates.
Although they decrease the amount you will need to pay upfront, both solar rentals and solar PPAs have reduced long-term electric bill savings compared to if you had bought the system outright.
Number of Solar panels in a 10kW system
A 10kW rooftop solar system has between 31-40 solar panels. The true number of solar panels needed to power the system depends on the solar panels' wattage.
For instance, if you're setting 300-watt solar panels, you will need 34 panels to generate a 10kW system. Whereas if you set up 350-watt panels, you will only need 28 panels to reach 10kW in size.
30 to 40 solar panels are a lot, so you want a good deal of roof space to put in a 10kW solar grid.
How much Roof space do you require to get a 10kW solar system?
A 10kW solar installation will often require between 600 and 700 square feet of roof area.
Ideally, you would need at least 600 square feet of south-facing roof space to set up your solar panels. But remember that the actual square footage required will depend on the wattage and the dimensions of the panels you set up.
If you require a 10 kW system but do not have space, you may need to find high-efficiency solar panels, producing more energy in a smaller region. You can also consider installing a solar carport, which will protect your car - and provide you with additional space for solar panels.
Can a 10kW Solar system power a house?
A 10 kW Solar system could produce between 11,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 15,000 kWh of electricity each year, which is sufficient to cover the normal U.S house's electricity usage of 10,972 kWh each year.
However, it's important to remember that energy use and solar generation can vary greatly between states. Homes in Wyoming and Louisiana, for example, tend to use more power than homes in other countries. Therefore, while a 10 kW system may be ideal for a home in Louisiana, it may be too large for a house in a country like New York, which typically uses much less power.
If you're on the lookout for an off-grid solar system, a 10 kW system could power your house - however, it may exceed your energy requirements. In cases like this, you may want to pair the machine with solar battery storage.
So, if your yearly energy usage is a lot lower than 11,000 kWh, you should estimate installing fewer solar panels.
How much can you save a 10kW solar panel system?
However, the electric bill savings from a 10-kW solar system differs widely from state to state. You will always have a considerably lower utility bill.
That is why your utility bill savings depend on:
For instance, A 10-kW solar system that generates 1,000 kWh per month in Florida will save you around $110 on your monthly electricity bill. If a system installed in Massachusetts generated the same amount - 1,000 kWh - would save you $190 per month.
This difference in savings is because of the fact that power is much more expensive in Massachusetts than it's in Florida.
The average payback period for a 10kW solar system can be 8 years to 20 years, based on the location where it is installed - be it your home, state, town - even the country you reside in.
Your return on investment maybe even better if you reside in a place with additional solar options like Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). Use our solar panel to learn the payback period for a 10kW solar system on your dwelling.
Finding the ideal installer for a 10kW solar system
It is possible to purchase a DIY solar kit to put in a 10kW solar panel pattern. 10kW solar DIY kits usually sell from $12,000 to $23,000, which is somewhat less expensive than the installed cost you'll get with a solar business. But, DIY solar may be harmful if you do not know what you are doing.
You'll often need the support of a solar business professional or a certified electrician to correctly install the system and pass inspections. This could actually enable you to spend more than if you'd gone with an installer in the first location.
Whether you're trying to set up a DIY solar kit or receive a professional setup or trying to remain on-grid or go off-grid, you must always find multiple solar quotes from various solar companies so that you can perform a quote comparison. This can allow you to get the best price you can for installing solar panels on your terrace.
Start with Local installers with experienced contractors in your area since they can provide you with more personalized service. They have a better comprehension of what incentives can be found in your region. We make it easy to find the best local Solar firms and certified contractors in the area due to hundreds of customer testimonials.
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