The Cost of Going Solar In Arkansas
Solar panels have a broad appeal. Some people want to install them to generate power in a more environmentally responsible way. Others want to use them to reduce the amount they need to pay for electricity. This raises an important question, what is the cost of solar panels? or how much does it cost to install solar panels in Arkansas?
The amount that you can expect to pay will depend on the size of the system that you want to put in. In general, though, installing solar in Arkansas will cost somewhere between $15,000 to $50,000. If you want to add a battery to this system, you might want to be prepared to pay around $15,000 – 35,000.
Whether solar panels make sense for you will often depend on how much they cost to install. Keep reading to learn more about how much solar power costs in Arkansas.
Figuring Out How Many Solar Panels You Need
Before we can ascertain the approximate cost of this system, we need to figure out how many solar panels you will need to purchase. This will depend on your aim. Some people are only interested in partially offsetting their electricity use. Others will want to get all their electricity from the sun. When making this calculation, there are four areas that you will need to consider. These are:
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Current electricity usage
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Rating of your solar panels
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Production ration
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Amount of shade
Current Electricity Usage
If you are planning on being fully reliant on solar power, you’ll need to examine your current electricity usage. This will be measured in kilowatts. It should be listed on your monthly electricity bill.
Rating of the Solar Panels
The next element that you will need to consider is the type of panels you are installing. These will be given a rating. This will be in either watts or kilowatts per hour.
Production Ratio
You will need to consider the production ratio. This will often be expressed as a fraction, like 1.4. In this case, a one-kilowatt solar panel will produce around four kilowatts an hour. This will depend on the area that you are living in. If you have a sunny area, you will be able to produce more power.
Amount of Shade
Finally, you might want to think about the conditions in the area. More specifically, the amount of time that your roof will be in shade. If there are trees or other obstacles that cause your house to be in shade, you will need to order more panels to compensate.
Average Number of Panels
For the average American family, it will take between 20 to 25 panels to be able to generate enough electricity to power their home. When in doubt, it’s best to get a little more than you need. This ensures that you don’t run out of solar power.
The good news is that it’s fairly easy for you to add or subtract a panel from your roof. So, as your family grows, you’ll be able to increase the amount of power you are creating.
