Everyday we get asked a question like, "I pay $179 a month for electricity, how much solar do I need?"  Well, a lot goes into answering that type of question including your energy usage, your utility rates, location, the solar panels, solar rebates or tax credits.  But homeowners really don't care about all that.  They just want to know how much solar they need and how much it will cost.

To make things simple we built some solar cost estimates for various monthly electric bills that should offset 90% of your monthly cost.
Choose your average monthly electric bill to find your solar size, cost and the 5 Steps to Solar Savings.

$100

$200

$400

$600

$800

$1,000

As you'll see, we offer many affordable home solar kits to meet your energy needs.   There is a system for just about everybody.

You can also use this solar calculator to estimate the size and the cost of the solar panel array needed for your specific home energy usage. You'll need your total kilo-watt hours (kWh) used for the past 12 months.  Check your electric bills or contact your local utility for your kWh used.

Before you go solar, you should first be as energy efficient as possible.  Make sure your HVAC, air-conditioning and major appliances are efficient Energy Star rated.  You might also install a solar attic fan to reduce your heating and cooling costs. We have some great prices on quality solar attic fans.

You should consider a free home solar evaluation to determine your site's solar resources. Even if it reveals lower or moderate resources, solar power could still be viable financially, especially with attractive financial incentives, tax credits or utility rebates for solar panels.

If you’re interested in home solar panels, you’ve come to the right place! This post covers the decision-making process. The decision-making process for solar panels and wind turbines is pretty similar; what makes each unique is the resources you’ll consult. When considering home solar panels, first assess your solar resource—a fancy way of saying how much sunlight your area gets. Check out this solar map from the Department of Energy to find the solar hours per day in your area.  To estimate how much electricity you could produce with home solar panels, try our solar calculator.  Living in an area with less intense or abundant sun doesn’t necessarily preclude you from installing home solar panels, but it will change the economics.

Speaking of the economics of home solar panels, mull over the type of solar electric system you want. Will it connect to the grid or be stand alone? What type of photovoltaic technology will you use? What system size will be best? Another factor in determining the up-front cost of solar panels (and how long they’ll take to pay for themselves) will be federal solar panel tax credits and state, local, and utility rebates. A solar installation pro can walk you through some of the financial and technological considerations for home solar panels.

Keep in mind that ultimately you will decide how much to spend on home solar panels.  Use the solar calculator to estimate the system size needed to offset 10%, 50% or 100% of your monthly electric costs with renewable energy.  It's OK to start small.  You can buy a 1 kW or 2kW (kilowatt) system for $4,000 to $7,000 and save money on your electric bill every month.  There is no rule that says you have to spend $50,000 for a 50 kW home solar system.  You can find affordable home solar kits at solar panels online.  Another option is a home solar cabana.  It looks great in your yard and you won't have to get up on your roof.

Next, consider any local codes, covenants, or ordinances that might apply to your home solar panels. Talk to your homeowner’s association, check local building codes official, and local government to ensure everything’s ship-shape and you know the regulations. 

Most solar pros won't be interested in an attached property like a condo or townhome, so be sure to have your homeowner association approval.  If you have a mobile home or manufactured home, most states won't allow solar panels on the roof due to the weight restrictions.  There are some lighter, affordable thin-film solar kits available that might work if you want to do-it-yourself.  Thin film solar panels are great for most any home.  The general rule of thumb is they cost less (30% to 50% less), but they also produce less power by roughly the same amount.

Finally, there's no such thing as a free lunch, so you'll have to pay to harness the free power of the sun.  interested in renewable energy, but not up for the cost of solar panels? Check out these solar loan and lease options.

Try our new solar power calculator.  Estimate your solar panel array size and solar cost with just three easy steps. Determine the cost of solar panels anywhere in the country.  Estimate your solar panel system size to offset your monthly electric bill.  Do-it-Yourself and save money with home solar panels.

Solar Calculator

PARIS — Slender as a stick insect, a solar-powered experimental airplane with a huge wingspan completed its first test flight of more than 24 hours on Thursday, powered overnight by energy collected from the sun during a day aloft over Switzerland.

The organizers said the flight was the longest and highest by a piloted solar-powered craft, reaching an altitude of just over 28,000 feet above sea level at an average speed of 23 knots, or about 26 miles per hour.

The plane, Solar Impulse, landed where it had taken off 26 hours and 9 minutes earlier, at Payerne, 30 miles southwest of the capital, Bern, after gliding and looping over the Jura Mountains, its 12,000 solar panels absorbing energy to keep its batteries charged when the sun went down.

Read the full story at the New York Times

Shop online and buy direct at SolarPanelsOnline.ORG.  SAVE 30% to 50% on everything solar and qualify for SOLAR TAX CREDITS to save even more!

- Solar Panels as low as $99
- Complete Solar Home Kits as low as $5,999 before rebates
- Solar Cabana for up to 4kW power, no roof required!
- Solar Water Heating Kits
- Solar Yard Lights and Lanterns
- Solar Attic Fans to lower your electric bill
- Solar Tube Skylights for free, natural lighting          
- Solar Radios, flashlights and camp lights
- Solar Chargers for cars, phones, laptops and more    
- Solar Gifts and Toys for kids of all ages

Shop online and BUY DIRECT at SolarPanelsOnline.ORG

Celebrate Energy Independence Day This July 4th!
SAVE 30% TO 50% on everything solar AND QUALIFY FOR TAX CREDITS!
 
Place your order by phone: 888-498-3331
or visit SolarPanelsOnline.ORG today!

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