The best places to buy solar panelsSolar companies As soon as you start Googling solar options, you'll probably see ads for solar companies pop up on your social media feeds. Big-box stores If you have a membership at a big-box store, buying your solar panels there may save you a lot of money.
The best-priced solar panels may not be the cheapest solar panels. Instead, finding the best deal on solar panels for your home means considering several factors, including solar panel pricing, energy output, efficiency, lifespan and installation costs.
Which solar panels should I buy?
Ideally, you want to use the highest efficiency panels you can afford. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), most solar panels have efficiency ratings between 16% and 22%. The top-quality, high-efficiency panels cost the most. If you need cheap solar panels, look for high-quality panels that fall within the 17% to 19% range.
How much do solar panels cost?
Finding the lowest possible price tag for your solar panel installation might sound like the best way to save money when you go solar, but the payback period of your solar panel system might take twice as long, and your panels may never earn the return you expected. In 2024, the average cost of solar panels is around $2.86/W before incentives.
The most affordable solar panels for you will likely be a combination of those attributes, rather than the actual number on the price tag. An excellent place to start looking for the best deal is to start with inexpensive solar panels and work your way through the numerous decisions you'll eventually make when choosing your system.
Are solar panels affordable?
Solar panel affordability continues to increase thanks to falling prices, incentives, rebates, and flexible financing options. The solar panel with the cheapest price tag may not be the most cost-effective option in the long term. Consider efficiency, performance, and warranties when comparing your options.
Should you buy low-cost solar panels?
Purchasing low-cost solar panels requires a bit more attention to detail than buying high-quality panels since there are more low-quality options you need to avoid if you want a good system. Here are the four main things to look for when shopping for cheap solar panels: