How Much Do Solar Panels Cost for a 1500-Square-Foot House?

Solar Panel Cost Per Watt

With so many factors at play, it can be challenging to determine how much it will cost to install solar panels for your home. Consider your home’s square footage, the amount of wattage needed, and the number of solar panels you plan on purchasing. In addition, the installation process increases the overall cost and varies from company to company.

So, for example, how much do solar panels cost for a 1500-square-foot house? Let’s break it down.

To give you an idea of the average cost for solar panels, a 1500-square-foot home costs about $16,500 for a 6-kilowatt solar panel system to be installed. The price per watt also affects this. Generally, the price per watt costs anywhere from $2.50 to $3.50; one solar panel usually generates between 250 to 400 watts of power.

First, determine how many watts the appliances in your home utilize. You can do this using a monitor, which can plug into your appliance’s outlet. This monitor will then display how many watts are being used. If you don’t have access to a monitor or do not want to purchase one, you can check to see if your appliance shows how many watts it uses on the label.

1500sqft Solar Panel Cost
Solar Panel Installment

The average cost for solar panel installment on a house varies depending on the system size you are in the market for. To determine this figure, take inventory of how much power you use within your household. Information such as utility bills and kilowatt hours (KWH), as well as the amount of energy your home uses to power 1000 watts, will be of great help as you decide how much power and how many solar panels you will need.

Yet another factor to consider is your environment. Solar panels run on sun energy, so they won’t produce the same amount of energy when the sun is not shining. Panels should be placed in direct sunlight on your roof for optimum performance. The climate you live in can also affect the cost-effectiveness of solar panels for your home. In addition, if your home is shaded, the sun’s rays may not be able to reach your solar panels to charge them. This may decrease the cost-effectiveness of your solar panel purchase.

An average-sized home will require about 15 solar panels. To calculate how many solar panels you need, take your hourly household energy requirement and multiply it by the average number of peak sunlight hours your home gets. Once you have this number, divide it by the wattage capacity of the solar panels you are comparing.

For a point of reference, a panel with low wattage might have 150 watts, and a panel with a higher wattage might have 370 watts.

Solar Estimator
Solar Panel Needed

One of the best ways to determine how many solar panels you might need for a 1,500-square-foot home and how much you could save is to use a solar panel calculator.

You’ll need to add some basic information, including:

  • ZIP code
  • The home’s square footage
  • Roof details
  • Property shade
  • Average electric bill

With this info, you’ll get an estimate of how many solar panels you need, the potential cost of your system, and how much you may be able to save on your energy bill.

You can use the Axia Solar calculator to calculate how many solar panels you might need for a 1,500-square-foot home.

Let’s get back to the basics of determining if your household would benefit from installing a solar panel system. There are pros and cons to installing solar panels for your home.

Once you’ve gathered this information, determine if the pros outweigh the cons for your household. It could be a wise investment if you feel that your home fits the environment, is the right size, and your electricity bill would be decreased using solar panels. You can make an informed decision for your household using the tools provided.

  • A possible reduction in electric bills
  • Potential to get a return on your investment over the years
  • Little maintenance required
  • Energy independence
  • Potential issues for certain roof types
  • Loss of effectiveness if you live in a place with a low amount of sunlight
  • May take a few years to recoup the investment

As we’ve outlined, consider the various factors:

  • Size of your home
  • Roof type you have
  • The climate you live in
  • How much energy your household uses
  • Your current electric bill

Solar Panel Payback FAQ

Still have questions about how solar panel costs and the factors affecting the solar payback period? Refer to these frequently asked questions for more information.

How does battery storage affect my payback period?

While storage batteries are great for protecting you from grid outages and promoting your energy independence, they can lengthen your payback period by adding to your overall expenses. They aren’t usually factored into the payback period formula. On the other hand, batteries can add significant value to your life, as stored battery power can be used during peak rate hours when everyone is home using power but the sun is going down.