The most common question, "How much does XX system cost?". A very smart question to ask and difficult for us to answer. Every system we install is different and made to order. So here are several system types and prices to give you some examples.
|
All prices include shipping to most locations, (example – south west states and a couple mid west states.)
You will need additional pieces parts to complete your installation.
If you need help installing these systems we can come to you or you can come to us. Contact us for more information.
12 volt Basic System; 55 watt module, charge control, 25’ module cables, 10’ battery cables, fuses, fuse holders, solder-less connectors and a simple raised module mount, (mount to roof fasteners not included).
Nevada addresses add $42.92 sales tax.
(Battery Bank Not Included)
Average use per day rating - 220 watt hours
12 volt Medium System; 2 – 140 watt modules, charge control, 25’ module cables, 10’ battery cables, fuses, fuse holders, solder-less connectors and a simple elevated module mount, (mount to roof fasteners not included).
$ 1440.00
Nevada addresses add $104.76 sales tax.
(Recommend 200 AH Battery Bank as a minimum. Not Included)
Average use per day rating – 1120 watt hours
! If you will need an inverter. ADD $1120.00 for 1100 watt pure sine inverter. Nevada addresses add $81.48 sales tax.
Includes 10’ battery cable with pre crimped ends and circuit breaker.
AC output needs to be connected in safe way. Contact us for example diagrams.
12 volt Heavy Duty, (and we mean Heavy Duty) system; 6 – 140 watt modules, charge control, 25’ module cables, 10’ battery cables, fuses, fuse holders, 2000 watt pure sine inverter / charger, AC hook up wire, remote inverter controller, load center with breakers for inverter and charge control, charge control battery temperature sensor and simple elevated module mount, (mount to roof fasteners not included).
Nevada addresses add $1057.79 sales tax.
(Recommend 600 AH minimum battery bank, not included.)
Average use per day rating - 3360 watt hours
|
| "Grid Tie" or "Net Metering" |
4.5kW system. 18 dark color modules, Inverter, disconnects, simple roof mount. $22,000.00*
|
4.5 kW system with 6kW of Inverters. 26kWH battery bank, 120/240 output, simple roof mount, disconnects.
$32,000.00*
|
Could be a variation of the RV systems above or more, The "Grid Tie W/ Backup" could also be adjusted slightly to be "OFF Grid". A generator can be added to charge the batteries when the weather is foul or if more power is needed than can be produced. Wind power is commonly added to help out, which is great during foul weather.
Remember, you don't have to live in a cave, unless you like that sort of thing.
|
* Additional items will be necessary to complete installation. Permits, trenching if needed, labor, shipping, TAXES, are all examples of those charges we forget about.
Most of this is eligible for the %30 tax credit. There are utility company and state incentives also. In Nevada it is difficult to apply for the rebate program. NV Energy only open enrollment once per year and has limited funding. The amount of the rebate is poor also. When you take a rebate like the type NV Energy and PG&E in California offer, you are selling them your "Renewable Energy Credits". This is separate from your bill. When energy is created from some type of renewable source, "Carbon Credits" are created. That is what you loose by taking those rebates. However, a rebate is a rebate and it helps knock down the cost.
Patience is needed when installing systems like these. To make sure you get the system you need you have to first really think about how much power do you need. Then double it. Don't laugh, when people tell us what they need it has always been less than actual.
Watts example, A standard incandescent 12 volt RV light fixture uses 1 or 2 - 18 watt bulbs. If 1 bulb is used, and you had the basic system. You could run that bulb for 12 hours just from the energy harvested from the module.
As in the basic system, the average daily output is based on the solar module being the only input you have. So one could use 220 watt hours from dawn to dawn and be ok, mostly. There are many other variables to this, but for ease of understanding, this will get the job done.
watts x hours = watt hours
Example: 55 watt module x 5 hours of clear day sunlight = 275 watt hours. If the module is flat x .8 for realistic output.
Batteries: Most are rated in Amp Hours, this is not a good way to measure usage or storage. Watt hours is more accurate as a guideline, Amp Hours of the battery x the nominal voltage of the battery. Example: 200 amp hour x 12 volts = 2400 watt hours. You don’t want to take %100 of the storage, so figure %50. Batteries can only be recharged so many times, the more you take, the less times you can recharge them. SO, if you use 100 watt hours from dawn to dawn and you have 220 watt hours of solar input, it will take .46 hours to put that back into the batteries from that 55 watt module. Basically.
The hardest part of this is figuring out how long will you REALLY run the loads you want to power, then finding the amps or watts of 12 volt items to figure it out.
I have lots of people tell me, (no one needs more than ?? watts of solar, we dry camp all weekend and don’t have a problem!). Well most of the time under sized systems just slow down the discharge of their battery bank. Which is fine for a weekend maybe, but the batteries are usually depleted and they are leaving anyway. Most tow vehicles and RV’s will charge the batteries while underway, so no one notices.
|
|