Cost of Solar Panels

The Cost of Going Solar In Arkansas

Solar panels have a broad appeal. Some people want to install them to generate power in a more environmentally responsible way. Others want to use them to reduce the amount they need to pay for electricity. This raises an important question, what are the cost of solar panels? or how much does it cost to install solar panels in Arkansas?  

The amount that you can expect to pay will depend on the size of the system that you want to put in. In general, though, installing solar in Arkansas will cost somewhere between $15,000 to $50,000. If you want to add a battery to this system, you might want to be prepared to pay around $15,000 – 35,000. 

Whether solar panels make sense for you will often depend on how much they cost to install. Keep reading to learn more about how much solar power costs in Arkansas.  

Figuring Out How Much Solar Panels You Need 

Before we can ascertain the approximate cost of this system, we need to figure out how many solar panels you will need to purchase. This will depend on your aim. Some people are only interested in partially offsetting their electricity use. Others will want to get all their electricity from the sun. When making this calculation, there are four areas that you will need to consider. These are:  

  1. Current electricity usage 

  2. Rating of your solar panels 

  3. Production ration 

  4. Amount of shade 

 

Current Electricity Usage 

If you are planning on being fully reliant on solar power, you’ll need to examine your current electricity usage. This will be measured in kilowatts. It should be listed on your monthly electricity bill.  

Rating of the Solar Panels 

The next element that you will need to consider is the type of panels you are installing. These will be given a rating. This will be in either watts or kilowatts per hour.  

Production Ratio 

You will need to consider the production ratio. This will often be expressed as a fraction, like 1.4. In this case, a one-kilowatt solar panel will produce around four kilowatts an hour. This will depend on the area that you are living in. If you have a sunny area, you will be able to produce more power.  

Amount of Shade 

Finally, you might want to think about the conditions in the area. More specifically, the amount of time that your roof will be in shade. If there are trees or other obstacles that cause your house to be in shade, you will need to order more panels to compensate.  

Average Number of Panels 

For the average American family, it will take between 20 to 25 panels to be able to generate enough electricity to power their home. When in doubt, it’s best to get a little more than you need. This ensures that you don’t run out of solar power.  

The good news is that it’s fairly easy for you to add or subtract a panel from your roof. So, as your family grows, you’ll be able to increase the amount of power you are creating.    

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The Cost of Solar Panels. 

The next thing that we need to figure out is how much it will cost to purchase solar panels. This will depend on a few factors.  

Cost of Solar Panels

  • The size of the system. This is the most important consideration. The more power you want to generate, the more panels you will need to install.  

  • Where you live. Every utility provider have their own rates and schedule in regards to how they bill homeowners. Therefore, it is important that this portion be recognized in regards to your financial outlook.  

  • Type of inverter.  This is the way that you are converting solar power into electricity. There are a few types of inverters for you to choose from. The most popular option is string inverters. These will be the cheapest. But microinverters and power optimizers will offer better performance, especially when part of the roof is in shade. This is what Peak Power Solar recommends and install. 

  • Quality. You want to make sure that you are getting a high-quality panel.  These ensure that the panels will last for a long time.  

  • Your roof. The type of roof you have will determine the type of connections and equipment required to install the solar panels. The effect of this element should be minimal.  

With this in mind, we can look at some rough estimates. It should be noted that these figures are the prices of installing the system. They don’t take into account any incentives that you will get.  

Size of the System 

Average Cost in Arkansas 

3 kW 

$7,650 

4 kW 

$10,200 

5 kW 

$12,800 

6 kW 

$15,350 

7 kW 

$17,900 

8 kW 

$20,450 

9 kW 

$23,000 

10 kW 

$25,600 

In Arkansas, it’s most common for people to get a system that can produce between 7,000 to 12,000 kWh per year.  

Final Thoughts 

Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular, with many people choosing to add them to their Arkansas homes. This is better for the environment. At first glance, though, the costs of installing one of these systems can be significant. In some cases, it can cost around $25,000. However, when thinking about solar panels, it’s important to take a long-term view. When done right, it will allow you to completely eliminate your electricity bills. You can also make money by selling power to the grid. Because of this, it can make a lot of financial sense to install a solar system in your Arkansas home.