Cost of a Solar System For Small House
The first thing to know about the cost of a solar power system for a small house is the type of inverter you need. Solar inverters turn DC power to AC power. String inverters are usually placed in outdoor boxes facing north and east. Another type of inverter is a microinverter, which is a tiny inverter attached to each panel. Microinverter setups tend to be more expensive than string inverters, which makes them less common for tiny houses.
Roof-mounted solar panels cost less to install
The most common and least expensive type of solar installation is the fixed mount. A fixed mount simply attaches solar panels to a roof using clamps, screws, or adhesive backing. Once the panels are installed, they simply lock into place and sit on the roof. If you have a small house, you can save money by using a fixed mount instead of one with a tracking system. Roof-mounted solar panels for small house cost less to install because they are easier to access and can be installed by a skilled professional.
The cost of roof-mounted solar panels for small houses is usually lower than ground-mounted solar panels. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind before deciding to install a solar system on your roof. First, determine the amount of space you have to place the solar panels. If your roof is not a good choice, then you can always consider other options for mounting the panels. A small house roof is likely to have less space than a large one.
Off-grid solar systems are cheaper than grid-tied systems
Off-grid solar systems are cheaper than their grid-tied counterparts for small houses, but they are not without their drawbacks. Large batteries must be purchased for off-grid systems, and these represent higher upfront costs. They also require maintenance. Lastly, the cost of batteries is increased by the need to monitor energy usage and limit activities during the night. Ultimately, though, off-grid solar systems are a great choice for those who want to go 100% green and live off the grid.
An off-grid solar system will require batteries and a backup generator, but they are less expensive than grid-tied systems for small houses. However, they may require a backup generator and will degrade the efficiency of the system over time. Whether you’re building a small house or a country estate, off-grid solar systems will be much cheaper than grid-tied systems.
State incentives and energy buy-back programs make the systems more affordable
The State of California is helping to make small house solar systems more affordable with its energy buy-back and incentives programs. Through these programs, qualified homeowners can receive up to $3 per watt for installing solar energy systems on their homes. In addition to helping make solar more accessible to disadvantaged communities, these programs help to reduce the collective usage of conventional electricity. For participating, homeowners must be a customer of a participating electric utility or are a member of the San Diego Gas & Electric Company.
One incentive that makes solar energy more affordable for small houses is the Solar Renewable Energy Certificate, or SREC. These are certificates issued by state authorities for the energy produced by solar power systems. These certificates are then sold to a utility with renewable power obligations. The utility can then purchase the credits and use them as credit toward clean power requirements. State incentives can reduce the cost of solar energy systems by as much as 10 to 20 percent.