How Much Solar Costs & How Much You Could Save on Electricity in Your State (Infographic)

How much could you save by going solar? How much would it cost to install a solar system? What’s your estimated return on investment (ROI)? This infographic below, made by One Block Off the Grid (1BOG)* on how much solar costs has all the answers, and a few more. Well, they are generalized answers, based on the state you live in, but that’s as good as it gets beyond contacting a solar company and getting a quote.

Regarding this infographic, Dave Llorens, 1BOG’s CEO, wrote to me: “I think this is the infographic I’m most proud of so far.” (They make quite a few.) I think I’d agree with him. And, in general, it’s one of my favorite infographics on any topic. Check her out (click the link above for a larger version):

*Full disclosure: 1BOG used to own CleanTechnica and, while it no longer does, we still feature an ad for the company on the right side of our site.

Zachary Shahan (2293 Posts)

I'm the director of CleanTechnica, the most popular clean energy website in the world, and Planetsave, a leading green and science news site. I've been covering green news of various sorts since 2008, and I've been especially focused on solar energy, electric vehicles, bicycling, and wind energy for the past few years. You can also find my work on Scientific American, Reuters, Think Progress, GE's ecomagination site, several sites in the Important Media network, & many other places. To connect on some of your favorite social networks, go to zacharyshahan.com or click on some of the links below.

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Carrie

I love the graphics; unfortunately it shows that in WI we can’t actually afford to go solar. My husband (an engineer) and I have tried for years to figure out how to dish out the roughly $20,000 to install a solar system in our home; as our kids are growing up and we are expecting our family dynamics to change, requiring a much smaller footprint within the next 4-5 years, I can’t justify the expense on a home we won’t retain. Any ideas on how to make it less expensive would be greatly appreciated.
- Bob_Wallace
  
  Look at the cost of installation in other states. Some are half the WI price.
  
  Is that solely due to state/local subsidies? I doubt it. Most likely it’s because you don’t have a mature installation industry and the few companies in the business are charging more than what companies could get away with in other states.
  
  Consider being your own solar contractor. It ain’t rocket science. (I’ve done three residential installation and I’m definitely only DIY.)
  
  If you and your husband are not the DIY types you can still hire roofers (they’ve got the equipment and insurance) to install the panels and an electrician to do the hookup.
  
  You can purchase a solar system (less mounting racks) for under $2/Watt for thin film and under $3/watt for silicon panels. A 3kW silicon panel system for about $7,000.
  
  I’d bet you could put in a 3kW system for less than $10k.
  
  http://www.sunelec.com/index.php?main_page=systems_grid_tie
  
  Furthermore, installed solar generally increases the resale cost of houses over and above the price of the solar system. At least for California houses.
  
  http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/study-says-solar-adds-value-to-home-042111/
http://twitter.com/Dulaney_Solar Harry

Awesome infographics, thank you!:)