*Prices are shown after applying the 30% federal tax credit.
As of Apr 2024, the average cost of solar panels in South Beach is $2.32 per watt making a typical 6000 watt (6 kW) solar system $9,728 after claiming the 30% federal solar tax credit now available.
This is lower than the average price of residential solar power systems across the United States which is currently $3.00 per watt.
The size of a solar panel system also plays a role in how much the installation will cost.
Larger solar installations will typically have a lower cost per watt, because the panels can be purchased at a ‘bulk price’. However, these larger solar systems will still have a higher total cost, because they are made up of more individual panels.
System size* | Avg cost per watt |
Avg system cost
(After tax credit) show before tax |
---|---|---|
4kW | $2.53 | $7,091 |
5kW | $2.42 | $8,485 |
6kW | $2.32 | $9,728 |
7kW | $2.29 | $11,227 |
8kW | $2.31 | $12,950 |
9kW | $2.24 | $14,120 |
10kW | $2.22 | $15,514 |
Best unit price
$320.00 ($0.96 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,721.85
($2.53 p/w)
LG335N1K-V5 overview
Rated power
335 watts
Efficiency
19.6
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$562.50 ($1.50 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,120.18
($2.49 p/w)
LG375A1C-V5 overview
Rated power
375 watts
Efficiency
21.7
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$430.00 ($1.15 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,919.30
($2.65 p/w)
LG375Q1C-V5 overview
Rated power
375 watts
Efficiency
21.7
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$473.34 ($1.30 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$13,231.07
($2.59 p/w)
LG365Q1K-V5 overview
Rated power
365 watts
Efficiency
21.1
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$432.00 ($1.20 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$13,276.66
($2.63 p/w)
LG360Q1K-V5 overview
Rated power
360 watts
Efficiency
20.8
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$530.85 ($1.50 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,386.87
($2.49 p/w)
LG355Q1K-V5 overview
Rated power
355 watts
Efficiency
20.6
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$495.00 ($1.38 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$13,091.06
($2.60 p/w)
LG360Q1C-V5 overview
Rated power
360 watts
Efficiency
20.8
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$407.97 ($1.10 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.2kW system
$13,159.30
($2.54 p/w)
LG370Q1C-V5 overview
Rated power
370 watts
Efficiency
21.4
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$323.39 ($0.97 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,691.01
($2.53 p/w)
LG335N1C-V5 overview
Rated power
335 watts
Efficiency
19.6
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$338.19 ($0.99 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$0.00
($0.00 p/w)
LG340N1C-V5 overview
Rated power
340 watts
Efficiency
19.8
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$600.00 ($1.83 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,808.41
($2.61 p/w)
SPR-E20-327-COM overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$800.00 ($2.22 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$13,201.67
($2.62 p/w)
SPR-X22-360 overview
Rated power
360 watts
Efficiency
22.2
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$620.00 ($1.90 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$13,703.10
($2.79 p/w)
SPR-E20-327-D-AC overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$620.00 ($1.90 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$13,610.59
($2.77 p/w)
SPR-E20-327 overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$181.00 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$11,003.04
($2.16 p/w)
CS6K-300MS overview
Rated power
300 watts
Efficiency
18.33
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$196.11 ($0.65 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$9,948.02
($1.95 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-300M overview
Rated power
300 watts
Efficiency
18.1
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$172.00 ($0.56 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$9,568.53
($1.96 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-305M overview
Rated power
305 watts
Efficiency
18.4
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$165.00 ($0.53 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$9,761.72
($1.97 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-310M overview
Rated power
310 watts
Efficiency
18.7
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$228.00 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$9,579.65
($1.94 p/w)
LR4-60HPH-380M overview
Rated power
380 watts
Efficiency
20.9
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$234.00 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$10,126.74
($2.00 p/w)
LR6-72HBD-390M overview
Rated power
390 watts
Efficiency
19.4
Number of Cells
144
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
4.79 105 Reviews
Jud, over 1 month
Out of the three bids for solar installation, we found A&R best aligned not only with our hopes for the project, but also with our values (employee-ownership, socially responsible). We found the drop-box of project photos and information after completion to be very helpful. We are also very happy with the installation now that we're live. We would absolutely recommend A&R.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,750 ($2.95 per watt)
Jud, over 1 month
Out of the three bids for solar installation, we found A&R best aligned not only with our hopes for the project, but also with our values (employee-ownership, socially responsible). We found the drop-box of project photos and information after completion to be very helpful. We are also very happy with the installation now that we're live. We would absolutely recommend A&R.
4.74 62 Reviews
Jim Sroka, 5 days ago
From start to finish the process was smooth, efficient and professional. This is by far the most impressive company I’ve worked with. Exceeded my expectations at every step of the process. I would recommend Earthlight as the first company to go to if you are looking at going solar.
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Jim Sroka, 5 days ago
From start to finish the process was smooth, efficient and professional. This is by far the most impressive company I’ve worked with. Exceeded my expectations at every step of the process. I would recommend Earthlight as the first company to go to if you are looking at going solar.
4.67 27 Reviews
Chris , over 1 month
The whole Power Northwest team was extremely friendly and professional as they designed and installed solar panels on my house. It couldn't have gone smoother.
Read more
Chris , over 1 month
The whole Power Northwest team was extremely friendly and professional as they designed and installed solar panels on my house. It couldn't have gone smoother.
4.67 18 Reviews
Chris K, 1 week ago
Let's start with this: solar power is a journey. Everyone wants solar power, but two immediate questions come into play: - can I afford it? (i.e., whether I borrow or pay out of pocket, does solar power make sense from a return on investment perspective?) - can I trust the company? (i.e., will the company that is drilling holes in my roof and attaching thousands of dollars worth of equipment be around in 10 years to pick up the phone?) Armed with these not-so-profound concerns, I did my due dilegence in researching solar installers, and many seemed to be able to do the job. However, my home builder was super impressed with a company called Smart Solar Energy. Why? Because they did what they said they were going to do within the budget and schedule they agreed to. No BS, just getting the work done as promised. That kind of thinking resonates with me--just do what you promised to do. So I gave Smart Solar Energy a shout in November 2023. From our first emails I was impressed. No fluff, just focused on the task, addressing the concerns I had, setting expectations, more than anything helping me understand if and why solar power might make sense for me because, as it turns out, solar power is not for everyone. From that point forward we steadily marched toward an understanding of the need and what meeting that need would entail in terms of cost and schedule; basic project management ideas. But the difference was that Smart Solar Energy took care of literally everything from unscrewing the local city hall bureaucracy to permits to scheduling the work. This kind of hand-holding was awesome and I appreciated it very much. We were scheduled to get our system installed in May 2024 and somehow got it actually installed in March 2024. That's pretty cool. I won't go into detail about how awesome the installers were (great folks, great communicators, and getting on a roof in a steady rain with a stiff wind still amazes me) but Smart Solar Energy did their part flawlessly and stayed in touch the entire time. In fact, the only part of the process that was frustrating was dealing with the power company, something Smart Solar Energy can't control but helped with from an expectations point of view. My system went on-line just within the past week, so I have no comments on Smart Solar Energy's long-term viability, and I do hope they can maintain their high standards and "produce to promise" ethos. From what I've seen so far, they have their stuff together, and when considering the two questions addressed at the beginning of this review, they are on the right track. Last thought: generating power is its own addiction, so be forewarned. You'll spend time watching the dashboard, trust me.
Read more
Chris K, 1 week ago
Let's start with this: solar power is a journey. Everyone wants solar power, but two immediate questions come into play: - can I afford it? (i.e., whether I borrow or pay out of pocket, does solar power make sense from a return on investment perspective?) - can I trust the company? (i.e., will the company that is drilling holes in my roof and attaching thousands of dollars worth of equipment be around in 10 years to pick up the phone?) Armed with these not-so-profound concerns, I did my due dilegence in researching solar installers, and many seemed to be able to do the job. However, my home builder was super impressed with a company called Smart Solar Energy. Why? Because they did what they said they were going to do within the budget and schedule they agreed to. No BS, just getting the work done as promised. That kind of thinking resonates with me--just do what you promised to do. So I gave Smart Solar Energy a shout in November 2023. From our first emails I was impressed. No fluff, just focused on the task, addressing the concerns I had, setting expectations, more than anything helping me understand if and why solar power might make sense for me because, as it turns out, solar power is not for everyone. From that point forward we steadily marched toward an understanding of the need and what meeting that need would entail in terms of cost and schedule; basic project management ideas. But the difference was that Smart Solar Energy took care of literally everything from unscrewing the local city hall bureaucracy to permits to scheduling the work. This kind of hand-holding was awesome and I appreciated it very much. We were scheduled to get our system installed in May 2024 and somehow got it actually installed in March 2024. That's pretty cool. I won't go into detail about how awesome the installers were (great folks, great communicators, and getting on a roof in a steady rain with a stiff wind still amazes me) but Smart Solar Energy did their part flawlessly and stayed in touch the entire time. In fact, the only part of the process that was frustrating was dealing with the power company, something Smart Solar Energy can't control but helped with from an expectations point of view. My system went on-line just within the past week, so I have no comments on Smart Solar Energy's long-term viability, and I do hope they can maintain their high standards and "produce to promise" ethos. From what I've seen so far, they have their stuff together, and when considering the two questions addressed at the beginning of this review, they are on the right track. Last thought: generating power is its own addiction, so be forewarned. You'll spend time watching the dashboard, trust me.
4.66 51 Reviews
DaveMac, 5 days ago
Kirpal (owner of Oregon Solar Works) understands the systems he installs better than certain other companies that bid on my project. He asked questions to determine what my goals were as well what he thought I needed. We discussed the pros and cons of various set-ups and came to a system tailored to my wants, needs and new understandings. At no time did I feel pressured to go with a a stock system or hurry to lock in a "deal too good to miss". During the install Kirpal and his crew were great. All of them pay attention to details and keep the site clean. They took the time to answer any concerns I had or explain a detail that I was unfamiliar with. After the install and "commissioning" of the system, and after all monies had been paid, Kirpal was, and is, still quick to answer the phone or a text message if I see something unusual. My past jobs in high tech R&D required technical knowledge and attention to detail. I can be persistent at making sure those I work with deliver what is promised. I found Kirpal and his crew to be very professional, deliver on promises and a pleasure to work with.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$16,250 ($3.25 per watt)
DaveMac, 5 days ago
Kirpal (owner of Oregon Solar Works) understands the systems he installs better than certain other companies that bid on my project. He asked questions to determine what my goals were as well what he thought I needed. We discussed the pros and cons of various set-ups and came to a system tailored to my wants, needs and new understandings. At no time did I feel pressured to go with a a stock system or hurry to lock in a "deal too good to miss". During the install Kirpal and his crew were great. All of them pay attention to details and keep the site clean. They took the time to answer any concerns I had or explain a detail that I was unfamiliar with. After the install and "commissioning" of the system, and after all monies had been paid, Kirpal was, and is, still quick to answer the phone or a text message if I see something unusual. My past jobs in high tech R&D required technical knowledge and attention to detail. I can be persistent at making sure those I work with deliver what is promised. I found Kirpal and his crew to be very professional, deliver on promises and a pleasure to work with.
4.59 35 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
E2 Solar has now installed two PV systems for me. They are knowledgeable, professional and committed. I recommend them without reservation.
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Anonymous, over 1 month
E2 Solar has now installed two PV systems for me. They are knowledgeable, professional and committed. I recommend them without reservation.
4.57 178 Reviews
Jane Doe, over 1 month
Don’t be fooled by Intermountain Wind and Solar. They have good salesman but when it comes to installation and actually working with the company, they are the worst. We ha e to beg for an install date and then had to call and remind them we were there every step of the way. Please do yourself a favor and go with another company.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$15,000 ($3.00 per watt)
Jane Doe, over 1 month
Don’t be fooled by Intermountain Wind and Solar. They have good salesman but when it comes to installation and actually working with the company, they are the worst. We ha e to beg for an install date and then had to call and remind them we were there every step of the way. Please do yourself a favor and go with another company.
4.57 116 Reviews
Ashley , 21 hours ago
Left a big trench in our back yard, also cut into our tiling pipe and left it all that way. Now that my friend tried using them they came to hook her up and half of the power in her house isn’t working now and no one from this company will respond to her phone calls, text or emails.
Read more
Ashley , 21 hours ago
Left a big trench in our back yard, also cut into our tiling pipe and left it all that way. Now that my friend tried using them they came to hook her up and half of the power in her house isn’t working now and no one from this company will respond to her phone calls, text or emails.
4.50 10 Reviews
Dundee OR, over 1 month
I did not know it at the time but what Solar Energy Solutions gave me was more than a great job, it was truly a gift that continues to influence me, my family, my neighbors and my community.<br />
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Dundee OR, over 1 month
I did not know it at the time but what Solar Energy Solutions gave me was more than a great job, it was truly a gift that continues to influence me, my family, my neighbors and my community.<br />
4.50 11 Reviews
Ryan, over 1 month
Solar is a BIG purchase, but Cascade Solar made it a transparent, honest one with skill on install, flexibility in scheduling, a competitive price per watt compared to most, and access to a lender specializing in green lending at market or slightly-below market rates. They communicated great throughout and the process is more streamlined with them than two other firms installing for different friends of ours were. Our experience with bidding firms was wildly divergent - from “that big firm” that felt like dealing with a bot, to other mid-tier firms that frankly padded their bids (one firm quoted the same price for final install that we had for CS, but for 60% the array size!). Our Enphase system is performing as advertised and the backup Powerwalls give us a bit more assurance in outages which have become all-too-common in PDX winters. They got us to a reasonable cost per watt installed with high-quality components, took care of the permitting and inspections, and did a final walk-through meeting to test our system performance and make any adjustments needed. If you are considering solar, give these folks a call. There are a lot of shady characters looking to make a mint on folks not doing their due diligence. Cascade Solar is local to PDX and absolutely worth your time to consider!
Read more
Ryan, over 1 month
Solar is a BIG purchase, but Cascade Solar made it a transparent, honest one with skill on install, flexibility in scheduling, a competitive price per watt compared to most, and access to a lender specializing in green lending at market or slightly-below market rates. They communicated great throughout and the process is more streamlined with them than two other firms installing for different friends of ours were. Our experience with bidding firms was wildly divergent - from “that big firm” that felt like dealing with a bot, to other mid-tier firms that frankly padded their bids (one firm quoted the same price for final install that we had for CS, but for 60% the array size!). Our Enphase system is performing as advertised and the backup Powerwalls give us a bit more assurance in outages which have become all-too-common in PDX winters. They got us to a reasonable cost per watt installed with high-quality components, took care of the permitting and inspections, and did a final walk-through meeting to test our system performance and make any adjustments needed. If you are considering solar, give these folks a call. There are a lot of shady characters looking to make a mint on folks not doing their due diligence. Cascade Solar is local to PDX and absolutely worth your time to consider!
Where there is no specific pricing information available for a brand then we have used state pricing data for that brand.
Solar panel manufacturer | Avg. cost per watt |
---|---|
Canadian Solar | $2.16 |
LG Solar | $2.57 |
SunPower | $2.70 |
Panasonic | $2.60 |
LONGi Solar | $2.08 |
The most important difference between buying solar panels and any other purchase is that solar panels last 25-30 years. This is a long, long time and you will need customer service over all that time. The reviews below of the two largest corporate solar installation companies indicate larger corporate solar companies are not delivering this support to their customers.
We recommend you find a small or mid-size, local, family-owned solar company. These companies tend to care more about you and your specific job. You don't want to be on hold to a corporation's call center for the next 25 years!
The cost of solar doesn't just include the equipment and installation costs - it’s also made up of permitting costs, inspection costs, and installer profit margins.
These different components are what make the price of solar fluctuate between installations. Some of the factors that affect solar power system installation costs for specific homes include:
Homes that use more electricity will need more solar panels to cover their energy needs.
Although solar panels do get cheaper on a per-watt basis, the overall cost of the system will increase as more panels are added.
But, the higher a home’s energy usage, the more solar panels can save the homeowners on their energy bills.
The price of solar panels can vary depending on the type of solar panels you choose.
There are two main types of solar panels for residential solar installations: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline solar panels tend to be more efficient and more expensive than other solar panels. Polycrystalline panels have a lower efficiency rating and come at a lower price point.
The type of inverter you buy will also influence the cost of your solar system.
You may see some solar quotes with prices that seem too good to be true.
If you get quoted for a ridiculously cheap price, the installer might be using low-quality equipment or an unsustainable pricing model. You want to use a solar installer that is charging enough so that they can stay in business - as you’ll be relying on them for the next 25 years!
It’s important to make sure that your installer is giving you the best quality at the best price possible. This is why getting multiple solar quotes is so important.
The overall cost of solar can be influenced by the solar incentives available.
Across the U.S., homeowners can apply for the federal solar tax credit. The solar tax credit makes installing solar more cost-effective by providing homeowners with a tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of their installed solar panel system.
Local solar tax incentives and rebates can end up saving homeowners thousands on a solar installation, especially when they’re used with the federal solar tax credit.
See what solar incentives are available in your area by using our solar panel calculator.
The cost of installing residential solar panels in South Beach varies with the brand of solar panels and inverters you choose, the installation company you choose to install them, the relative ease or difficulty of installing solar panels on your home, and of course the amount of solar panels you need. The amount of solar panels you need is, in turn, related to your energy usage.
The table below shows the data extracted from a real life quote delivered through the SolarReviews marketplace recently for a fairly typical home in South Beach.
As you can see the payback period is relatively short and equates to a much better return on investment than he historical returns that have been available from investing in things like shares or property.
System information | Value |
---|---|
System Size (for 100% usage offset) | 10.93 kW |
Annual power generation | 12,583 kWh |
Pay-back time (assuming Cash purchase) | 12.3 Years |
Internal rate of return (IRR) on investment | 1.2% |
Gross cost | $28,260 |
Total Upfront Incentives and Rebates | -$7,347 |
Net Cost of System after rebated and incentives | $20,910 |
Total Cost of Utility Power Avoided over 25 years | $52,903 |