PV system costs vary widely due to many factors, including component types, manufacture location, current markets, and financial incentives. We design each system to meet your goals, selecting the highest quality components currently available at the best cost. Thus, the only way for us to provide an accurate estimate is to meet with you, evaluate your site, and prepare a customized proposal.
Here are some general factors that influence PV system cost:
- Larger systems cost less per unit of energy produced than smaller systems, providing a higher return on investment
- Systems using Washington-made equipment have a higher initial cost but a higher return on investment because they qualify for a higher production incentive.
- High-efficiency, energy-dense PV modules will increase the system cost.
- Tilt-up, ground, or pole-mounted systems will increase the system cost.
- Battery-backup capability, to provide power when the grid is down, will increase the cost.
| Equipment : |
Avg. Cost per Watt |
Cost per Watt after tax credit |
Avg. Annual ROI** |
| Made in WA state |
$ 6.00 - $7.30 |
$ 4.25 - $ 5.15 |
10 - 16 % |
| Not made in WA state |
$ 3.50 - $ 4.00 |
$ 2.45 - $ 2.70 |
8.5 - 14 % |
|
| A typical residential system : |
4 - 8 kW (4,000 - 8,000 Watts) |
| |
15 - 30 solar modules ('panels') |
| |
$16,000 - $28,000 after the tax credit |
- *Annual value reflects both net- and production-metering payback incentives: $0.64/kWh for WA-made equipment // $0.25/kWh for non-WA made equipment
- ** AROI: Annual return on investment based on annual value and net cost after tax credit. ROI increases over time due to offsetting increasing power cost.
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