Roof Synergy

A question often asked in reference to solar power for homes, is how much exactly can I save by installing a solar power system at my business or residence.

To cut to the chase, you can go right to a solar calculator to immediately get an estimate on how much you can save. Either that, or read on:
Solar Calculator

Solar power is earth friendly green energy, and is often used in both residential and commercial applications to either reduce monthly power usage, or in some cases solar power may actually provide a stand-alone power supply.

Solar Power has greatly improved in efficiency, with the earliest solar devices operating at 1% in contrast to most recent photovoltaic cells which operate at 40% or higher. The cost per kilowatt of power produced has also been dropping as well.

Despite government incentives and rebates from local power companies, the cost of investing in solar power is fairly expensive with a long term payoff (expect at least 5,10, to 20 years for a system to pay off, even after tax cuts and rebates).

Below: This commercial solar array in Dimbach Germany, based on thin film photovoltaic power modules, supplies 1.45 megawatts of power.


You may want to call a local solar contractor to get a ballpark idea about prices and paybacks. There are also many solar calculators on the web, but these are not infallible and may not give the most accurate cost estimate. Before you pay for a contractor to install solar power, you should check to be sure they are certified (or sometimes you may not be able to redeem your governments rebates!). You may also want to check your local business bureau, new and old customers, as well as online reviews to confirm the installer will do a good job at a competitive price.

Expect at least $3,500 after rebates for a solar electrical or solar hot water system. The cost goes up from there depending on how many panels you need installed, the type of panels and related equipment used, as well as the local cost of labor (for installing the system).

Learn more about photovoltaics
How do Photovoltaic Cells work?

Learn more about solar heating
How does solar heating work?

I think in Northern California, more specifically Bay Area, most solar power systems cost $20,000 to $40,000 gross before rebates. This is an area where labor costs are often much higher, and I would expect much lower costs in less heavily populated areas.

Find a local Solar Power contractor.