Although switching to photovoltaic solar panels can be pricey, there are several affordable solar panel options available. This is the result of a generalized sharp decline in solar panel prices and a significant rise in efficiency.
As a result, solar energy is more efficient and less expensive than ever before. Which affordable solar panels are best for your solar energy system, then? View our suggestions below!
Top 5 recommended cheap solar panels
1. Solarland SLP020-24U Silver Poly 24 Volt Solar Panel
Solarland panels are the cheapest overall.
- $63.80 per panel
- 20-watt panels
- Unknown efficiency
- 10-year warranty on power output
The Solarland SLP020-24U Silver Poly 24 Volt Solar Panel, which is their most well-liked affordable variant, is frequently used to power traffic lights and other modest off-grid applications.
This affordable panel may be a dangerous purchase because some elements, including its efficiency rating, are either nonexistent or hard to locate.
2. LONGi Model #LR6-60-HPB-310M
As for residential solar panels that can power an entire house, the LONGi brand is well-rated on SolarReviews and offers a few cheap model types, including LONGi Model #LR6-60-HPB-310M and LONGi Model #LR6-60-HPB-300M.
- $165 per panel
- 310-watt panels
- 18.7% efficiency
- Limited 25-year warranty
The LONGi panel is a fantastic alternative for high-quality inexpensive panels since it provides stable power and exceptional efficiency.
3. LONGi Model #LR6-60-HPB-300M
If you want to spend a little less per square foot and have extra roof space for additional panels, LONGi also provides a model with a lower wattage.
- $196.11 per panel
- 300-watt panels
- 18.1% efficiency
- Limited 25-year warranty
LONGi panels can power your entire home for a guaranteed 25 years even though they are not as efficient as their top-tier competitors.
4. Canadian Solar Model #CS3K-315MS
Canadian Solar is another highly-rated, cost-effective solar panel manufacturer. The cheapest option is Model #CS3K-315MS.
- $207.90 per panel
- 315-watt panels
- 18.96% efficiency
- 25-year output warranty
Although Canadian solar panels cost a little more than LONGi ones, they are more efficient, requiring less of them to power your house.
5. Panasonic Model #VBH330RA03K
Panasonic solar panels are regarded as some of the best-quality panels, but you can find a good deal with the VBH330RA03K model.
- $291.18 per panel
- 330-watt panels
- 19.7% efficiency
- 25-year warranty
Despite being the priciest option on this list, Panasonic’s brand recognition, higher efficiency, and wattage may make it worthwhile to spend the extra cash for the security that comes with purchasing a product from a well-known and respected company.
Why do solar panel costs vary?
Although individual solar panel costs are provided, solar installers frequently acquire installation components at lower costs due to relationships they have with manufacturers or because of various state-level solar incentives.
Find out here if you qualify for any solar subsidies.
The cost per watt of solar panels purchased for a project may wind up being lower than if you had purchased 20 separate panels. You may receive the greatest panel for the lowest price by working with a professional installer.
Furthermore, although inexpensive solar panels have the lowest price up front, they might not be the greatest choice over the long term. Cheap solar panels often have lesser efficiency, or ability to absorb sunlight, and they degrade more quickly. As a result, they have a shorter lifespan.
Going the DIY method, however, might be your best option if you are determined to find the best deal on solar panels.
DIY solar panels offer a cheap alternative to professional installations
Purchasing a DIY solar kit that you can install yourself is an alternative to purchasing brand-new solar panels.
There are DIY kits for every need, from solar panels that can power your complete house to a small kit that can serve as an electronics charger for an off-grid RV lifestyle.
Grape Solar grid solar panel kits are sold at a variety of stores and come in sizes that can supply electricity to your entire home. Working with experienced installers can actually turn out to be less expensive because the cost of connecting the system to the grid, obtaining the required permits, or requiring any assistance during installation may raise the final cost.
If you need a cheap solar generator on the go for things like camping or backup power in case your electricity goes out, portable solar panels are fantastic. Portable solar panels are always available on Amazon.com. The following kits are suggested by us:
- Renogy 100W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit and solar charge controller
Price: $152.52
- HQST 100 Watt 12 Volt Polycrystalline Solar Panel
Price: $69.99
You might save thousands of dollars if you decide to buy solar panels, solar racking, and a solar inverter and install them yourself. This may be a bigger project than it’s worth if you’ve never worked with electrical wiring or have no expertise drilling holes in roofs.
The fact that certain jurisdictions do not offer incentives unless the panels are installed by a licensed contractor is another disadvantage of do-it-yourself installations. Because of all the benefits you might be eligible for, you could save more money if a professional installs your solar panels.
What solar incentives are available to me?
While planning your solar installation, you can look into the various municipal, state, and utility solar incentives.
The federal solar tax credit, which is 30% through the end of 2032, is one of the best incentives. Your federal income taxes will be reduced by 30% of the value of your system as a result of this incentive, effectively giving you a 30% discount!
View your local solar incentives to learn more about the rebates that certain utility companies provide on solar system purchases. For a free estimate, enter your zip code here.
By offsetting the cost of the energy you would otherwise have to buy from your utility, solar energy also helps you save money. The majority of states use a system called net metering to do this. The incentives differ from state to state, so make sure to investigate your possibilities.
Are buying cheap solar panels worth it?
For several reasons, the cost of solar panels varies. More solar cells or greater wattage high efficiency panels are typically more expensive since they can generate more electricity per panel than less efficient alternatives.
Although buying inexpensive solar panels may save you money up front, installing more expensive solar panels may be more advantageous in the long run. You will require fewer panels to satisfy your home’s energy needs if you choose higher-quality ones because they will produce more electricity and last longer.
Cost is often determined by the quality and construction process, such as monocrystalline versus polycrystalline, and the efficiency of the panel.
Although inexpensive solar panels may be alluring, the best-priced solar panels will provide the greatest long-term returns. Despite a professional solar system’s hefty up-front cost, depending on where you reside, you can save upwards of $60,000 over the course of 25 years by not paying electricity bills.
Hundreds of thousands of homeowners are currently saving money on their electricity bills thanks to solar energy, which is one of the most lucrative renewable energy home investments in the United States. You can eliminate all or the majority of your electric bill provided you install the appropriate system size. Companies that install solar panels are more than happy to assist you in locating the most affordable solar installation.
It’s easy to compare prices for solar systems by getting in touch with nearby installers and asking for a quote. By entering your zip code below, you can complete this without making a commitment.
