Solar System Cost

Solar systems have evolved over the past several decades. From the early years solar systems have gone from complex battery systems designed to power homes too far from the power grid to make connection cost effective to today's systems designed to work seamlessly with the country's power grid. For most people, a grid tied system allows the stability and backup of the power grid while allowing a solar system to supply current needs then feed the excess power into the grid to be used later when its needed. The least complex system is composed of just two devices; the solar panels and their microinverters. Power coming from the microinverters is already synchronized with the utility power and can be used directly as household current.

What is included in the different types solar systems:

Type 1: Off-Grid battery system (most complicated and expensive)

  • $4.25/watt installed or $4,250 per Kw (average efficient house in Michigan uses 10Kw of power)
A typical off-grid solar system

Type 2: Grid-Tied batteryless system (less complicated and expensive)

  • $4.50/watt installed or $4,500 per Kw (average efficient house in Michigan uses 10Kw of power)

Type 3: Grid-tied Microinverter system (most common, least complex)

  • $4.25/watt installed or $4,250 per Kw (average efficient house in Michigan uses 10Kw of power)