How to Save Money When Buying Monocrystalline Solar Panel Manufacturer

23 Dec.,2024

 

Cheap Solar Panels : Guide to Affordable Solar Panels

One of the biggest barriers to getting solar panels is the high upfront cost. As of , the average cost of home solar installations is between $18,000 and $23,000.

GECONA SOLAR Product Page

Cutting corners can save you money, but you don't want to sacrifice quality when it comes to an investment like solar. We've compiled a list of reliable, low-cost solar panels that produce great results to provide the best of both worlds. Our top picks for cheap solar panels are: 

Find out how much solar panels will cost for your specific home

5 best affordable solar panels

Our experts reviewed solar panels from reliable brands to find which ones have the best value. Keep in mind, cheap doesn&#;t always mean good! There may be cheaper modules out there, but the quality would likely be low.

1. LONGi: Hi-MO5 LR8-48HPB

Pros
  • Best value

  • High efficiency

Cons
  • High temperature coefficient

  • Average product warranty

Why we chose them: LONGi solar panels are not only the cheapest solar panels on this list at $2.40 per watt, but they also hold their value. LONGi&#;s solar panels are built with PERC technology, which allows for high efficiency ratings. 

These high-quality panels are backed by a 12-year product and 25-year performance warranty that guarantees its panels will retain at least 84.8% of their output by the end of the term. 

There are other panels out there with better warranty coverage. However, LONGi panels still check off all the boxes for being a reliable brand at a great value. LONGi solar panels are the best option for cheap solar panels that still produce great results.

2. Canadian Solar: HiKu 6 CS6R-400

Pros
  • Great warranty

  • Reputable solar manufacturer

Cons
  • Degrade faster than competitors

Why we chose them: Canadian Solar is a highly admired brand by SolarReviews. As one of the top five solar manufacturers in the world, there&#;s a good chance the installer you work with will recommend these panels. This brand offers several high-efficiency models that come at a great value.

Most models from Canadian Solar have a standard 12-year product warranty and a 25-year performance warranty, with a degradation rate of 0.55% per year. Warranty coverage for this manufacturer falls within industry standards, but other brands are out there with better coverage.

3. Qcells: Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+

Pros
  • Good warranty

  • Reputable brand

Cons
  • Lower efficiency

Why we chose them: Qcells is an extremely reliable solar panel brand. With all that Qcells has to offer, it landed the #1 spot on our best solar panels of list.

Qcells warranty offers a 25-year product and 25-year performance warranty, promising the panels will operate at 86% of total output by the end of the warranty period, with a 0.5% degradation rate.

As for affordability, Qcells residential panels cost roughly $2.63 per watt, which is below the national average for solar panels. Qcells has a great reputation among installers and homeowners alike, so you can trust that you&#;re getting quality solar panels without breaking the bank.

4. JA Solar: JAM54S30/MR

Pros
  • Excellent customer reviews

  • Great technology

Cons
  • Average warranty

Why we chose them: JA Solar is a Chinese manufacturer with several global offices, including one in San Jose, California. Like others on this list, JA panels offer half-cut cells and PERC technology to boost efficiency.

JA Solar&#;s warranty offers a 12-year product replacement warranty and a 30-year performance warrant, guaranteeing no less than 82.5% at the end of the 30-year period. 

JA panels are also one of the pricier options on this list, costing an average of $2.80 per watt. Despite this, they still come in under the average cost of solar, and JA has proven to be a fan-favorite on the SolarReviews website, with no ratings under four stars!

5. Trina Solar: TSM-DE09C.05

Pros
  • Great warranty

  • High-quality panels

Cons
  • Low SolarReviews rating

  • Higher cost

Why we chose them: This China-based manufacturer is a well-established solar panel brand offering cutting-edge technology. Trina Solar provides a 25-year product and performance warranty. The performance warranty promises at least 84.8% output after the 25-year warranty period. 

While we&#;d like to see Trina Solar get its ratings up and higher efficiency rates &#; the excellent warranty coverage makes up for it. This brand averages $2.80 per watt installed, which is below the national average of $3.03 per watt, so you&#;re still seeing a great value.

Cheap solar panels price comparison

The table below outlines how much you can expect to pay for the average 6 kilowatt (kW) installation when using each of these brands. 

Solar panel brand

Cost per watt

Installation cost (6 kW)* 

LONGi

$2.40

$14,400

Canadian Solar

$2.60

$15,600

Qcells

$2.63

$15,780

JA Solar

$2.80

$16,800

Trina Solar

$2.80

$16,800

*before incentives

It&#;s important to note that everyone&#;s installation cost will vary. Factors such as location, how many solar panels you install, and what installation company you use will impact the total price.

How can I save money on a solar panel installation?

Through incentives, rebates, and other unconventional methods &#; there&#;s a few ways you can save some money on a solar panel installation. 

Federal solar tax credit

Right now, the best incentive for going solar is the 30% federal solar tax credit, which equals 30% of installation costs and reduces what you owe in federal income taxes by thousands of dollars.

The average solar installation costs around $20,000, meaning you&#;ll receive a tax credit of $6,000. 

Local solar rebates and incentives

Different states, municipalities, or utility companies may offer incentives for going solar that can help reduce the solar installation cost. This can come as a tax credit, an upfront rebate, or a performance-based incentive. 

Local incentives are also available to those who install battery storage with their solar installation, and low-income solar programs to help qualifying households go solar. 

DIY solar panels

You can install solar panels yourself to cut installation costs by purchasing a DIY solar panel kit. Saving money is always a plus, but we do not recommend DIY installations for rooftop solar.

Installing solar panels yourself is risky for most homeowners unless you have experience with construction and electrical work.

Also, some utility companies may not even allow you to interconnect your solar system to the grid unless installed by a professional installer &#; meaning you&#;ll lose out on net metering or other available utility incentives.

Installing panels yourself also risks voiding the solar panel or roofing warranty. So, you&#;ll save a bit of money on installation but risk a poorly installed solar system that may not be covered under any warranties. Take our advice and hire a professional to avoid any headaches.

The company is the world’s best Monocrystalline Solar Panel Manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Used solar panels

You can find cheap solar panels from private sellers online that can save you hundreds on materials. If you want to utilize solar technology, used solar panels can be a solid option for small-scale projects. 

We do not recommend purchasing used solar panels on a rooftop home solar installation. Instead, consider looking into refurbished solar panels because they have been restored to an acceptable working condition. If you want the best results for residential solar, consult a professional who uses reliable solar panel brands (like the ones in this article!).

Net metering

Net metering is the utility billing practice of recording the excess energy generated by a solar panel system and applying that excess energy on the customer&#;s bill as a credit towards energy drawn from the grid.

In other words, if your solar system generates more energy than your home consumes, you can sell that excess energy to your utility provider instead of letting it go to waste. In turn, you save additional money on your electricity bills through these credits. 

Net metering policies differ depending on where you live and your utility. To learn more about the net metering benefits you can take advantage of, visit your local utility&#;s website.

Compare solar quotes

Comparing solar quotes is a great way to educate yourself and help save money on your solar installation.

We recommend obtaining at least three solar quotes from local installers to compare the best price for your budget. Looking at fewer solar quotes could mean paying more for a service that another company could charge less for! 

Use this solar calculator to compare solar panel quotes and save thousands

Can I finance my solar panels?

If you cannot entirely pay for your solar system out of pocket, you have the option to finance your project through a solar loan, lease, or power-purchase agreement (PPA). 

  • Solar loan: Loans are a great way to pay for a solar installation in monthly payments rather than in one lump sum, while also saving money on your electric bills. However, financing through a loan will make your solar installation more expensive with interest rates and dealer fees.

  • Solar lease/PPA: Through leases and PPAs, you can install solar panels for $0 down. The solar company owns your panels for a contracted period of time, meaning the company is entitled to any incentives and rebates. By choosing these options, your savings will be less than if you were to own the solar panels directly.

For more information on financing options: Solar financing: What&#;s the best way to pay for solar panels?

Cheap solar panels: Methodology

Our solar experts analyzed top solar brands to find the brands that offer the best price without sacrificing quality or reliability.

We looked at four scoring criteria: Value, Module quality, warranty, and company financial performance.

  • Value (15 points): We looked at the average wholesale selling price of the panels in container volumes landed in the United States. The lower the wholesale price, the higher they scored.

  • Module quality (10 points): We considered each module&#;s specifications, including efficiency, temperature coefficient, and bonus points if the modules were listed on the PVEL scorecard. The better each panel performs, the higher the score.

  • Warranty (5 points): We looked at the product and performance warranties to ensure the panels recommended come protected and built to last. Panels scored higher if they had a product warranty greater than 15 years. For performance, the lower the degradation rate, the higher the score.

  • Company financial performance (5 points): To be sure that the manufactures we recommend are also in good standing, we reviewed the financial performance of each company. Points were awarded for revenue, revenue growth, and a positive net profit margin. A bonus point was also given to publicly traded companies, and companies with financial statements available.Cheap solar panel FAQ

Are cheap solar panels any good?

Cheap solar panels can be good quality, if you seek out the right brand. When it comes to performance and overall quality, there are plenty of solar panels out there that come at a lower price than the national average but still perform well.

If you plan on choosing a full-service installer for your solar system, you might find that sometimes the only difference between the &#;cheap&#; option and the &#;industry standard&#; option is only about a 5% to 10% price increase. 

If you aren&#;t sure about solar panels for your specific home, put your information into our solar calculator to learn more about solar costs and savings to make an informed decision.

Affordable solar panels: FAQs

Curious about buying low-cost solar panels and beginning your solar journey? Here are some frequently asked questions you might want to know. 

How To Save 50% On a Solar Power System

Short on Time? Here&#;s The Article Summary

The article discusses the cost savings associated with using a solar kit to install a solar power system compared to traditional installation methods. It highlights that while solar power itself is free, the initial equipment and installation costs can be significant. However, the long-term savings on electricity bills can outweigh these costs. The article also mentions government incentives for solar energy, which can further reduce the initial investment.

Solar kits contain all the necessary components for a solar power system, including solar panels, batteries, inverters, and mounting hardware. By purchasing a solar kit and installing it yourself, you can save up to $22,500 compared to hiring a solar installation company. The article explains that the lower cost of solar kits is due to factors such as direct shipping from manufacturers, bulk buying discounts, and lower overhead costs compared to traditional solar companies. It warns against zero-down payment plans, which may have hidden fees and high-interest rates, and advises researching financing options carefully. Overall, the article encourages homeowners to consider using solar kits for a more cost-effective and DIY-friendly approach to solar power.

Introduction

A lot of solar companies have very slick advertising teams behind them, saying, "Go solar and never pay for electricity again!"

Solar power is technically free, but your solar installation isn't. Equipment and installation fees can cost thousands. Here's some good news, though. The money you save on electricity costs by using solar, in the long run, will more than pay off your initial investment. Government solar tax incentives rewarding homeowners for lowering their carbon footprint can save money right up front. And here's an insider secret that solar installation companies don't want you to know. You can shave up to $22,500 off your bill by buying a solar kit online and doing the installation yourself.

Installation costs can run much higher than the price of the actual cost of solar panels and batteries even though solar panel system isn't that hard to set up, especially when you use a kit that contains everything you need.

New to the world of solar energy? Complete our solar energy mini-course to find out more, including how much energy you need to keep your home powered, how solar systems work, and how you can save 50% with solar.

So How Do I Save 50% on the Cost of My Solar Power System?

Use a solar kit.

What Is a Solar Kit?

A solar kit contains everything you need to switch to a solar energy system, including solar panels, solar power batteries or generators, adapters, connectors, and cables. Installing solar panels and connecting the various components you need may seem complicated, but it's actually easy. If you've ever assembled a piece of IKEA furniture or managed to figure out how to put a car seat system together, you can probably install solar panels. It's a lot more fun, too!

Your kit is a complete plug-and-play system, so you don't need to buy any extras unless you want to. The components inside the kit are going to vary, depending on the type of setup you're looking at. Most kits will have the following:

  • Solar Panels: Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels, are made up of multiple solar cells that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. You can mount these panels to your roof or a ground-based rack to expose them to the maximum amount of sunlight. Solar panels save an estimated

    $30,000 in utility bills

    over their lifetime or more.

  • Batteries: Batteries store excess solar energy generated by solar panels during the day. You can use the excess energy when sunlight isn't available, e.g., on cloudy days or at night.

  • Inverters: Solar panels generate DC electricity, which is why you need an inverter to convert the electricity they generate into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is the standard form of electricity used in homes and most electrical appliances.

  • Mounting hardware, wiring, and connectors: Most kits contain everything you need to mount your solar panels to the roof or ground, like brackets, rails, and screws, as well as the wires and cables you need to connect your batteries, inverter, and solar panels.

Why Will I Save So Much Using a Solar Kit?

The cost of going solar can be a big deterrent for most homeowners when they start getting quotes from solar companies. The truth is that the biggest portion of the quote is made up of soft costs that have nothing to do with the cost of the actual hardware you will need. Take a look at this breakdown by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory:

As you can see, 65% of the actual quote you'll receive from a solar company is made up of non-hardware costs, including:

  • Sales tax (2%)

  • Installation costs (7%)

  • Permitting, inspection, and interconnecting components (8%)

  • Supply chain costs (9%)

  • Sales and marketing costs (18%)

  • General overheads, admin, and profits (21%)

You can easily cut at least 50% of your cost (or more) by buying a solar kit and completing the installation yourself.

Why Do Solar Kits Cost So Much Less?

You're probably wondering how solar kit suppliers get away with charging so much less than other suppliers in the solar industry. Don't worry; there's no catch. Here's why solar kits cost less than a solar installation through one of the big companies:

  • Solar kits cut out the middle man:

    Solar kit companies ship the components you order directly from the manufacturer to your house, which means they don't have warehousing or major shipping costs.

  • Solar kit companies order in bulk

    : Solar kit companies sell thousands of kits online, compared to a local solar company that only sells a handful each month. That means solar kits benefit from bulk buying discounts.

  • Solar kit companies have more negotiating power

    : Most local solar companies only work with a handful of brands and can't scale up enough to offer lower prices. Solar kits can pick from the best of all of the brands and get better wholesale deals as a result.

  • Economy of scale

    : Solar companies have to generate profit from just a few sales; solar kits sell way more equipment and can lower the margin on each sale, passing the discount to you.

  • Installation isn't included

    : Solar kits don't include installation. This might put you off, but it really shouldn't! A lot of systems are easy for DIYers to install, especially with the detailed installation instructions and wiring diagrams that come with them. Even if you do hire someone to just do the installation, it's still waaaay cheaper than what a solar company would charge you.

Watch Out For Zero Down Scams

The conclusion? Yes, you can save money on a solar power system. But you have to be careful. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. One of the areas where you have to tread carefully is with zero down payment plans.

These plans promote all of the benefits of solar power, including lowering your electric bill and your carbon footprint, with no upfront costs. Read the fine print, and the picture gets less rosy. With these deals, the company selling the system chooses the equipment, installs it, and owns it too. Before you know it, you're locked into a fixed contract with hidden fees, high interest, and unexpected costs that are going to go up and up over time. And here's the kicker: you'll still have a monthly power bill to deal with!

If you can't pay for solar in cash, choose a financing plan that's actually fair and leaves the power in your hands. If you are going to go solar, choose the system yourself, make sure it's installed properly, and that the electricity you generate actually belongs to you.

If you have a hybrid system, you can actually get a rebate for any excess electricity you send back to the grid. You'll also get a 30% federal solar tax credit from the government, which is a pretty sweet deal! Do a little research before you commit to any contract. If you choose wisely, solar can pretty much pay for itself.

Conclusion: How to Save 50% On a Solar Power System

Going solar isn't cheap, and there are a lot of sharks out there that overcharge or overpromise and underdeliver for components you can install and manage yourself. Solar kits prove the point, which is why so many homeowners prefer to go the DIY solar kit route.

Solar kits not only take the guesswork out of switching to solar power, but you'll get better customer service from an online solar kit seller than you would from any local solar supplier. There are dedicated customer service reps whose only job is to get you up and running and offer support when you need it for free!

If you are interested in making a switch, saving money, and avoiding scammers, it's time to get in touch with ShopSolar.com. We&#;ve sold over 40,000 solar kits so far, and have garnered thousands of 5-star reviews for our quality kits and legendary lifetime customer service. Every person answering the has years of experience in DIY solar installations and knows the ins and outs of every solar brand and component inside and out. Advice and quotes are free of charge with no strings attached!

 

The Ultimate Solar + Storage Blueprint (Mini Course)

Struggling to understand how solar + storage systems actually work? Looking to build or buy your own solar power system one day but not sure what you need? Just looking to learn more about solar, batteries and electricity?

Join 15,000+ solar enthusiasts breaking free from their energy dependence with this short step-by-step video course that will make you a solar + storage expert. Start your journey to energy independence today.

Learn More Now

Who is ShopSolar.com?

ShopSolar.com is the #1 digital platform that enables consumers & businesses to source and purchase complete solar + storage solutions direct, saving you thousands in time, energy and money! With over 40,000+ happy customers, we&#;re on a mission to make solar simple, transparent and affordable.

For more 550W Mono Solar Panelsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.