Determining actual costs of doing a residential solar system

behappy123
behappy123 Registered Users Posts: 1
in General Solar Power Topics #1
I broke down the costs below (here in the mid-west), and I feel like I have covered pretty much all of it, however, a few electric companies I have talked to see to state their costs are almost a full dollar per watt higher(they are saying their costs are more like $2.60, which is a lot more than $1.60 I arrived to below), I am trying to find out what I'm missing, if you know, I appreciate your help!

Here's what I have:

(For a 10kw system)

-panels- ~50-85c a watt (Depending on type of panel) - $5000-8500
-inverters- ~30c a watt (mid range inverter)- $3000
-other equipment (balance of system) - Est no more than $1000 a system (wires, grounds, etc)
-site survey - ~$100
-cad design - $20 (2 hours of work, at $10/hr)
-permitting- ~$1000 or less
-administrative- cost of administrative employees to do background permitting, customer service, and related- ~$500 or less
-installation - ~$1000 (~$200 per installer per job)
-racking - ~$1000 or less
-misc avg per account- around $1000

Total: ~$1.60 per watt or roughly $16,000

*Note this is for a house with a Shingle roof and a relatively easy install.

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I know I didnt include overhead costs (like brick and mortar business), but I am looking for actual core costs of doing a solar system. If you can see I'm missing anything or off significantly on anything please let me know.
Thank you in advance for your help!
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Comments

  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    While I don't expect installers to pay retail, the prices you are quoting are somewhat less than wholesale, I think current wholesale is running around 70 cents up for panels made by someone who is still in business and you must add delivery to that....

    Cad design - $20 (2 hours of work, at $10/hr) It costs more per hour to have some one wash your car! NO chance!

    Insurance!!!!!!!

    Liability!!!!!!!!!

    Profit!!!!!!!!


    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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  • JoshK
    JoshK Solar Expert Posts: 232 ✭✭
    #3
    You might want to ask if batteries will be involved. Large ones are spendy.
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  • solarix
    solarix Solar Expert Posts: 713 ✭✭
    #4
    Listen to the current Energy Show by Barry Cinnamon and you'll hear why solar costs twice as much in the US as in Germany.
    http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2015/04/listen-up-paperwork-makes-solar-much-more-expensive?cmpid=SolarNL-Tuesday-April28-2015
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  • SkiDoo55
    SkiDoo55 Solar Expert Posts: 414 ✭✭✭
    #5
    I throw out these numbers cost for materials only full code compliance systems. after Fed TaxCredit & State (PG&E)
    4600W (20 230W) panels racking, wiring, GT inverter etc cost after fed & state $2.6358/Watt 2010 install
    5000W (20 250W) panels racking, wiring, GT inverter etc cost after fed no state $1.4599/Watt 2013 install
    1500w (6 250W) panels racking, wiring, XW4024 Hybrid inverter 4 6 VDC Duracell L-16 size batteries fed credit no state $3.3208/Watt 2014 install
    New 50 year architectual shingles installed not included in costs.
    GT3.8 w/4600W Trina 230W, TX5000 w/5000W ET-250W, XW4024 w/1500W ET-250W, 4 L16, 5500W Gen. (never had to use) Yet!!
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