What Does Solar Power Cost?

The price of solar panels has recently fallen sharply. Does lower solar power costs now make it viable?
Put together a solar power system design here. See the total parts list and costs based on average prices of multiple manufacturers.

Solar Power Capital Costs

Grid connected solar power:

Solar panels + grid inverter + new power meter + cables + installation - government rebates - renewable energy credits

Remote connected solar power:

Solar panels + regulator + batteries + inverter + cables + installation - government rebates - renewable energy credits

Grid connected solar power costs

Choose the quatity and size of solar panels required.
Use the table on the right to select a grid inverter large enough for the solar output.
Solar panels are best positioned tilted north in the southern hemisphere
and tilted south in the northern hemisphere.
The pitch angle should match you latitude.
The ideal aspect and pitch is not always possible.
The solar mounts assume the solar panels are directly bolted to the roof.
DC power cables are needed between the solar panels and to the grid inverter.
AC power cables are needed from the grid inverter to the power distribution box.

Quantity	Description
	Solar Panel Size
	Grid Inverter Size
	Import Export Power Meter (electricity provider usually installs)
	AC Circuit Breakers
	DC Circuit Breakers
	Solar Panel Mounting Kits ~ Qty Solar Panels
	External UV DC Power Cable (metres)
	Internal AC Power Cable (metres)
	See text area below.

Total Solar Panel Watts	Solar Panel Watts
Solar Panel Qty	80	160	170	180	190	200	210	230	260	300
1	80	160	170	180	190	200	210	230	260	300
2	160	320	340	360	380	400	420	460	520	600
3	240	480	510	540	570	600	630	690	780	900
4	320	640	680	720	760	800	840	920	1040	1200
5	400	800	850	900	950	1000	1050	1150	1300	1500
6	480	960	1020	1080	1140	1200	1260	1380	1560	1800
7	560	1120	1190	1260	1330	1400	1470	1610	1820	2100
8	640	1280	1360	1440	1520	1600	1680	1840	2080	2400
9	720	1440	1530	1620	1710	1800	1890	2070	2340	2700
10	800	1600	1700	1800	1900	2000	2100	2300	2600	3000
For more solar panel specifications see Solar Panel Calculator

Remote connected solar power costs

Choose the quatity and size of solar panels required.
Select a voltage level for the solar panels wiring, regulator, inverter and batteries.
Pick a regulator with sufficient current capacity for the solar panel output.
Battery size will be dependant on expected power input, power output and budget.
Solar Power Calculator , Appliance Energy Calculator
DC UV power cables are needed between the solar panels and regulator.
DC internal cables are needed between the regulator and batteries.
DC internal cables are needed between the batteries and inverter.
A ground cable is needed for the inverter.

Quantity	Description
	Solar Panel Size
	Regulator Size
	AC Circuit Breakers
	DC Circuit Breakers
	Solar Panel Mounting Kits ~ Qty Solar Panels
	Inverter Size
	Batteries Size
	External UV DC Power Cable (metres)
	Internal DC Power Cable (metres)
	Ground Cable (metres)
	See text area below.

Total Regulator Watts	Regulator Amps
Regulator Volts	6	10	12	15	20	30	40	60	80
12	72	120	144	180	240	360	480	720	960
24	144	240	288	360	480	720	960	1440	1920
48	288	480	576	720	960	1440	1920	2880	3840

Total Battery kWh	Battery (bank) Amp Hours Ah
Battery Volts	250	400	500	600	750	900	1200	1400	1700	2300	2900	3500
12	3	4.8	6	7.2	9	10.8	14.4
24	6	9.6	12	14.4	18	21.6	28.8	33.6	40.8	55.2	69.6	84
48	12	19.2	24	28.8	36	43.2	57.6	67.2	81.6	110	139	168

Solar Power Cost Results

Results show up here. Qty, Decription, Total Cost
See what deductions can be made to the capital cost of a solar power system.
Australian Government Rebates
Renewable Energy Credits
Small Generation Unit Credits Calculator
Each Credit was initially worth $40. At Aug 2011 they were worth $26 each.
REC quantity
REC value

REC Discount

Solar Power Net Cost Calculation

Solar Hardware Costs

- RECs

= Net Cost

Solar Power Suggestions

Check solar panel pricing for different sizes and manufacturers. Dollars per solar watt are currently lowest for 80, 120 and 190 watt solar panels.
Look for Maximum Power Point Tracking for grid inverters and regulators to acheive maximum efficiencies across various solar conditions.
Battery arrays come in various individual battery voltage formats. Compare maintenance and servicing needs.
To further improve solar panels performance consider Solar Tracking Mounting Systems. These system follow the sun through the day.

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