Mountain Solar
Independent Energy Systems

Home Solar Basics Types of Systems Site Evaluation System Sizing Cost Installation Financial Assistance

How Much will it Cost?

Most stand-alone systems range in cost anywhere from about $2,000 for an R.V. or a small off-grid cabin, up to $35,000 or more for a larger home with all the modern electrical appliances. The cost of an installation for a business or home will depend on the amount of energy (in KWH) 
used each day. See table at right:

Small

2-5 KWH/day*

$4,000 - $10,000**

Medium

5-12 KWH/day*

$10,000 - $20,000**

Large

12-20 KWH/day*

$20,000 - $35,000**
Grid-tie systems (after CA government sponsored rebate) can cost from $8,000 to $50,000 or more if it is desired to generate 100% of ones electrical power from solar. (Of course you could elect to generate only a portion of your electrical usage with your solar system.) To determine the approximate cost of a grid-tie system for your home or business:
  1. Check your utility bills and find your average monthly electricity usage in Kilowatt-hours (KWH).
  2. Divide this amount by days in the month (30.4) to get average KWH/day. (Some utility bills provide the KWH/day amount).
  3. Locate the KWH/day usage on adjacent table.

Please see section entitled financial assistance in this website for information on applying for California Energy Commission rebate for renewable energy systems. If you are outside of California, check out  www.dsireusa.org for info on financial incentives in your state.

Avg. KWH/ Day*

Max. Power (Watts)

Approx. Cost Before Rebate**

Savings From Rebate

Approx. Cost After Rebate**

6

1500

$9,750

$2,500

$7,250

9

2000

$13,000

$3,300

$9,700

13

3000

$19,500

$5,000

$14,500

19

4500

$29,000

$7,500

$21,500

26

6000

$38,000

$10,000

$28,000

39

9000

$56,000

$15,000

$41,000

52

12000

$72,000

$20,000

$52,000

*(+/- 10%) based on 5.5 hours/day avg. peak sunlight in N. California
**Does not include cost of installation 

   
"Thank you for installing the PV system on our home. Your finished job is very clean and your work was promptly done. My family is thrilled to know that everyday we are making power and saving money - what a great combination! Our sincere thanks for the nice job."

   -- Stuart & Lindsay D,  Auburn, CA
  

Mountain Solar
Independent Energy Systems
info@mountainsolar.net

175 Joerschke Dr. Suite M
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Phone: (530) 274-7355