By Type, Composition, and More – Forbes Home

On top of the typical costs of installing solar panels, you’ll also need to consider maintenance, cleaning, home insurance, monitoring, tree trimming, roof repair, and solar panel and solar roof repair.

maintenance

Maintaining your solar panels costs between $140 to $180 per year or an average of $150 per year if you hire a professional to maintain your solar panels. At this cost, your professional will inspect the panels for signs of repair.

cleaning

If you also want to hire a solar panel company to clean your solar panels, this will be an additional cost of about $150 per cleaning. For someone with the right equipment, safety knowledge and experience, this can be an easy-to-use job that only costs a one-time payment of about $100.

Once you invest in the initial amount of cleaning equipment, such as an extension ladder, garden hose spray attachments, mops, soft brushes, and a one-gallon handheld sprayer, you are essentially cleaning your baseboards for free — minus the labor and time commitment. However, it is not recommended to undertake this project without the appropriate skills. Safety is of utmost importance even if you have to pay extra.

Annual cleanings can help improve the performance of your panels by ensuring that debris and dust do not block sunlight from reaching the panels.

Home insurance

Solar panels can increase the value of your home, which in turn can increase the cost of your homeowner’s insurance. According to a study conducted by Zillow from 2018 to 2019, homes with solar panel systems sold for 4.1% more than similar homes without solar panel systems. However, this does not necessarily translate to your homeowners insurance. You’ll need to check with your insurance company to see if installing solar panels might increase your rates.

Solar system observation

Depending on your solar panel company, some installers offer free solar system monitoring that allows you to see your solar panel production in real-time and even view your electrical usage to adjust your lifestyle and get the most out of your solar panel system.

Elevation Solar is a good example of a solar company that integrates energy efficiency solutions into the whole home. Other companies, such as Palmetto Solar, may charge additional fees for monitoring services, so read the solar panel installation company’s fine print before purchasing.

Tree pruning

In some cases, you may want to invest in tree trimming services to help clear the way for sunlight to reach your installation location. The cost of tree trimming ranges between $250 and $700 per tree.

Roof repair

Your roof needs a strong, sound foundation if you choose to install solar panels. Repair or replace your old roof beforehand to ensure that your home is safe from the elements and that no hazards will arise from installing the shingles. The average cost of roof repair is $950, but prices can range from $150 to $7,000 depending on the extent of the damage. Roof replacement costs even more, with prices ranging from $6,700 to $80,000, or $11,500 on average.

Solar panel repair

The cost of repairing solar panels ranges from $200 to $1,700 depending on the severity of the damage. A small crack will cost less to repair while a solar panel inverter repair tends to fall at the higher end of the price range.

You may have an active solar panel warranty or comprehensive warranty through your solar panel installation company, so look at your warranty to see if you can save on the cost of repairing your solar panels. Most manufacturers offer a 25-year warranty.

Solar panels and tiles

The average cost of solar panels ranges from $15,000 to $20,000. Priced at $88,500 for a 6.31 kilowatt solar roof. Tesla Rooftops and Powerwalls cost much more but also come with a battery storage system. Some homeowners choose to install solar panels or solar roofs. These roofs replace your existing roof and protect your home from the elements while providing your home with an attractive, energy-efficient bonus.