Installing a 4kW solar system can be a great way to reduce your electricity bills while also helping the environment. But what exactly does a 4kW solar system cost for a household? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down solar pricing into all its components, so you know what to budget for.
Average Cost of a 4kW Solar System
The average cost of a 4kW solar system in the US is around $11,080 before any incentives or tax credits. However, you can reduce the final out-of-pocket cost to around $8,200 on average by claiming the federal 26% investment tax credit. There is also the option to finance solar panels, so you don’t have to pay the full amount upfront.
Solar pricing does vary quite a bit state by state. For example, a 4kW solar system may cost between $8,200 and $10,400 in Arizona but $11,300 and $13,800 in Colorado. The main reasons for these location-based differences include:
- Number of peak sunlight hours
- Local labor and permitting costs
- State and utility incentives and rebates
Shopping around and comparing quotes from multiple local installers can help you find the best pricing in your area.
What Makes Up the Cost of a 4kW Solar System?
There are several key components that determine the final price you’ll pay for your household solar panel system. These include:
Solar Panels
The solar panels themselves make up around 30–40% of the overall system cost. For a 4kW system, you’ll need around 16 panels rated at 250W each. Going with higher-efficiency solar panels can reduce the number of panels needed but does cost more per panel.
In terms of budgeting, you can expect to pay $1.40–1.45 lakhs, or ~$1,900, for a complete set of solar panels for a 4 kW system. The exact price of a solar panel depends on the brand, efficiency rating, warranties, and more. We recommend considering tier 1 solar panel manufacturers that provide 25+ year power output guarantees.
Batteries
Adding solar batteries allows you to store the energy generated by your panels and use it anytime, including at night or during a power outage. For most homes, 4x100Ah batteries are sufficient to run critical loads for overnight usage or backup. These cost around $40,000, or $550 for the set.
Keep in mind that batteries must be replaced after 5–10 years, so this adds to long-term system costs. You can also add more battery capacity depending on your usage needs and budget.
Inverters
MPPT solar inverters are required to convert the DC electricity from solar panels into usable AC power for your home’s appliances and devices. A good 4kW MPPT inverter will cost approximately $60,000 or $800.
When getting inverter quotes, look for established brands that offer at least 10-year warranties. The inverter must also be properly sized for your planned array wattage.
Other Hardware and Installation
The remaining solar system price is made up of other supporting hardware like mounts, cables, connectors, junction boxes, etc. Most homeowners spend $15,000–20,000 or $200–$270 on this miscellaneous balance of system components.
Professional installation is also key to the proper working of your solar panels and to claiming incentives and warranties. Set aside $15,000–30,000 or $200–$400 for installation labor, depending on system complexity and location. Some installers offer free site assessments to provide accurate quotes.
What is the total price of a 4 kW solar system in India?
Solar power is excellent for the tropical climate, and abundant sunlight hours are seen across most parts of India. For Indian homes, the total outlay for a grid-connected 4kW solar system works out to around ₹2.25 lakhs, or ~$3,000. This includes sufficient solar panels, batteries, an MPPT solar inverter, mounts, cables, and installation service.
The exact cost of a solar system varies across different cities and states. However, with government subsidies, you can reduce the effective price to as low as ₹1.5 lakhs in certain regions. This makes going solar very affordable for the average Indian household.
Key Factors That Impact Solar Panel System Pricing
While we’ve shared average price ranges above, keep in mind that your final quote can be higher or lower based on:
- Location and sunlight: More peak sun hours mean higher solar output. This allows you to meet your energy needs with fewer panels and thus lower costs.
- Solar panel efficiency: Panels with higher efficiency (%) ratings produce more kilowatts per panel. So you can use fewer panels overall for your 4kW system.
- Batteries: Adding solar storage does add to upfront pricing. But batteries give you backup power and maximize self-consumption.
- System size: In general, larger solar arrays are cheaper on a per-watt basis due to bulk discounts. But you want the proper system size to match your household’s usage.
- Installer pricing: Get multiple installer quotes before deciding. Choose quality equipment and experienced installers, even if they are slightly more expensive.
- Incentives and rebates: Check all available federal, state, and utility credits, tax rebates, and other solar incentives to lower your net costs.
Shopping around is highly recommended before finalizing your solar system installation company. Comparing multiple quotes and understanding what factors improve or reduce pricing gives you negotiating leverage.
How Much Electricity Does a 4kW Solar System Produce?
A properly designed 4kW solar system can generate around 3,400 kWh per year in the UK climate or up to 5,600 kWh per year in sunnier parts of the USA. This is enough to power all appliances (lighting, fridge, TV, kitchen appliances, etc.) in a 3-bedroom household.
With an appropriately sized solar battery bank and net metering agreement with your electricity provider, your household can become largely energy self-sufficient using the solar electricity generated right on your rooftop.
While solar panels produce DC power, your home appliances run on AC power. The solar inverter handles this interconversion. And any excess energy can be exported back to the grid. This also earns you bonus feed-in tariff credits from your utility company each billing cycle, depending on local net metering laws.
Over the 25+ year lifetime of your solar panels, your rooftop system will produce tens of thousands of kilowatt-hours of free renewable energy from the sun. This leads to massive savings on your electricity bills for decades to come.
Are Residential Solar Systems a Good Investment Financially?
Putting up a rooftop solar PV system requires significant upfront investment of around $8,000 to $14,000 for an average home. At first glance, this may seem financially challenging.
However, once your solar plant starts generating free power from the sun year after year, the long term savings really add up. Most solar panels today come with 25 year power output warranties. By eliminating high cost grid electricity bills for decades, residential solar systems can pay for themselves in just 4-7 years in many regions.
The exact solar system ROI and payback period depends greatly on:
- Local electricity rates
- Solar panel incentives and rebates
- System maintenance costs
- Cost of capital
But with power grids getting more expensive each year, investing in rooftop solar guarantees you predictable, low cost energy for the lifetime of your panels. And helps hedge against rising non-renewable energy costs. Plus, solar adds value to your property for resale.
In fact, going solar is one of the best investments in your home with guaranteed returns. And allows you to reduce your carbon footprint. For all these reasons, over 3 million homes and businesses in the US have already gone solar, with more switching every day.
Conclusion: What Should Your 4kW Solar Budget Be?
Based on the pricing breakdown above:
Plan around $11,000-$14,000 for a grid-tied 4kW solar system before claiming any incentives. This covers tier 1 solar panels, MPPT solar inverter, mounts, cables, connectors, batteries (optional) and professional installation service.
Shopping around, evaluating multiple installer bids, and using Solar Exporters Tier 1 panels can help drive costs towards the lower end of this budget range.
To maximize savings:
- Claim the 26% federal tax credit plus any additional state/local credits
- Analyze your monthly usage to right-size your system
- Compare financing rates if taking a solar loan
Over the 25+ year lifespan, a 4kW solar plant produces enough clean energy to more than pay back its initial investment through lower grid electricity costs. And solar adds significant value to your property.
Ready to go solar or have any additional questions? Our solar consultants are available to provide free quotes and size the ideal solar system for your household’s needs. Contact us or fill out our online form to get started!