A 6,000 watt (6kW) solar system produces enough energy to cover the monthly electric bill of almost half of American households. The power generated by your solar system will vary depending on the direction of your roof, your geographical location, and any impediments to sun rays such as trees or nearby tall buildings.
What is a 6,000 watt (6kW) solar system?
A 6,000 watt (6kW) solar system includes solar panels, racks and mounts, breakers, inverters, and wiring. You may also need AC/DC disconnects, sub-panels, and additional piping.
Top-quality solar panels produce between 275 watts (60 cells) and 350 watts (72 cells). You can calculate how many panels you will need by dividing 6000 by the wattage of the solar panel you are looking at produces. So, for example, you will need between 17 and 22 solar panels for a 6kW solar system.
How much does an average 6kW solar system cost?
For a quick ballpark estimate, a solar system costs between $2.95 and $3.50 per watt, so a 6000-watt solar system will cost between $17,700 and $21,000 before you start to subtract federal, state, and local incentives. Competition in the solar installation industry is high, so prices often change daily.
Take a few minutes to browse our compilation of 6kW installation prices by state and brand. If you click through to Details, we've made charts showing how quickly the installation will pay for itself and how much you will profit over 25 years.
Does the cost for a 6kW solar system vary by state?
The cost of a 6kW solar system varies by state. We've created a chart listing the installation costs in each state. By choosing 6kW in the drop-down box, you'll see the average price in your state before and after the 30 percent federal tax credit.
Will I save money if I pay cash for a 6kW solar system?
Paying cash for a 6kW solar system will save you 10-15 percent over financing the same system. However, if you can't afford to pay cash, there are some great financing deals available. Financing your solar system will take you a little longer to break even on your investment, but you will still profit in the long run.
How much energy is produced by a 6kW solar system?
In optimal conditions – that means your roof faces south and has no shade between 9 am and 3 pm – a 6kW solar system produces somewhere between 17.4 and 27.6 kWh a day (or 6351kW and 10,074kW per year). The amount your system produces varies by your location, roof tilt, shading, and the time of year. Solar-Estimate has an excellent map that shows how much electricity solar panels produce per day in each state.
How much roof space do I need for a 6kW system?
It takes about 66 square feet to produce 1kW of solar energy. So, you will need 396 square feet of roof space with enough sun exposure for a 6kW system. If you don't have enough roof space, you can also install solar panels on a carport or other buildings on your property.
How much energy does my home need?
Your energy bills over the last 12 months show you how many kilowatts hours of power you used last year. You need an energy system that will generate enough solar energy to cover your bill. Look for “kilowatt hours used” or "kWh hours used" to see if your utility measures by the hour, day, or month. If you'd rather not calculate the number yourself, our Solar-Estimator uses a database of almost every utility in the US to estimate how many solar panels you need to power your home. Our estimate is based on the exact location of your home, so you will need to enter your address and some personal details.
Is a 6kW solar system the right size for my home?
A 6kW solar system produces enough electricity for almost half the private homes in the US, so there's a good chance that it is the right size for you. For a rough guide, compare the amount of electricity you purchased last year to the amount that solar panels in your state produce. The map shows the average amount per day, so you'll need to multiply the number by 365 before you can make a comparison.
How can I find the best local offers on 6kW solar systems?
We can send you the best local offers on 6kW solar systems. When you enter your zip code, we'll take you to Solar-estimator to gather information about your utility company and find your house on the map. After Solar-Estimator calculates your exact requirements, we match your needs to offers from solar installation specialists in your community and send you the 3 best deals.
How do I find the best solar company near me to install my system?
Find the best solar company in your zip code on our Solar Companies page. You can read reviews from their customers and get free quotes from the companies that impress you the most.
