Price per Watt Solar Calculator

Price per Watt Formula:

\[ \text{Price/W} = \frac{\text{Total Cost}}{\text{System Power (W)}} \]

Price per Watt:

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1. What is Price per Watt?

Price per watt is a standard metric used in the solar industry to compare the cost of different solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. It represents the cost of the system per unit of power-generating capacity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

\[ \text{Price/W} = \frac{\text{Total Cost}}{\text{System Power (W)}} \]

Where:

Price/W — Price per watt (currency per watt, e.g., $/W)
Total Cost — The complete installed cost of the solar system (currency, e.g., $)
System Power — The total rated power output of the system (watts, W)

Explanation: This calculation gives you a standardized way to compare solar systems of different sizes by showing how much you're paying for each watt of capacity.

3. Importance of Price per Watt Calculation

Details: Calculating price per watt helps consumers compare solar quotes on an equal basis, understand the value they're getting, and make informed purchasing decisions. It's one of the key metrics used to evaluate solar system costs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total installed cost of your solar system (including panels, inverter, installation, etc.) and the total system power in watts. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good price per watt for solar?
A: As of 2023, the average price per watt ranges from $2.50 to $3.50 for residential systems in the U.S., but this varies by location, system size, and equipment quality.

Q2: Does price per watt include incentives?
A: Typically, price per watt is calculated before incentives. For after-incentive cost, subtract rebates and tax credits from the total cost before calculating.

Q3: Why compare price per watt instead of total cost?
A: Price per watt allows comparison between systems of different sizes. A larger system might cost more in total but have a lower price per watt, indicating better value.

Q4: What factors affect price per watt?
A: System size (larger systems typically have lower $/W), panel efficiency, installation complexity, local labor costs, and equipment quality all influence price per watt.

Q5: Is lower price per watt always better?
A: Not necessarily. Very low prices might indicate lower-quality components or inexperienced installers. Consider quality, warranties, and installer reputation along with price.