One of the biggest barriers to installing solar panels is the significant upfront cost. In , the average price of a solar installation is about $21,816 before any incentives are applied. While this $3.03 per-watt price tag is lower than solar panels have cost in the past, it’s still a significant upfront investment.
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Cutting corners can help you save money, but you don’t want to sacrifice quality when it comes to a big investment like a home solar installation. To help narrow your search, we’ve compiled a list of solar panels that come at a low cost per watt, but still check off all the boxes when it comes to good performance. Here are our picks of the best affordable solar panel brands of :
Solar panel brand
Module
Avg. cost (per watt)
VSUN (Vietnam Sunergy)
VSUN460N-96BMHR-D
$2.92
Hyundai
HiS-S410YH(BK)
$2.93
JA Solar
JAM54D40-460/LB
$2.94
Trina Solar
Vertex S TSM-NEO9RC.05
$2.95
Mission Solar
MSE PERC 108HC
$2.97
Find out how much solar panels will cost for your specific homeOur experts reviewed solar panels from reliable brands to find which ones have the best value. Keep in mind, cheap doesn’t always mean good! There may be cheaper modules out there, but the quality would likely be low.
Why we chose them: Aside from being the cheapest solar panels on this list, there’s plenty to like about VSUN solar panels. VSUN is cranking out residential solar panels with some of the highest-efficiency ratings in the industry.
You’ll need fewer of these panels on your roof to meet your energy needs, thanks to their 460 W wattage rating, which helps lower your overall solar equipment costs. VSUN’s 12-year product warranty and performance warranty that promises 89.4% operating power after 25 years aren’t breaking any records, but these solar warranties still offer solid protection.
Why we chose them: Hyundai Energy Solutions is a solar panel manufacturer based in South Korea and has grown into a global supplier in the solar energy industry. The company’s new YH(BK) panels are monocrystalline bifacial solar panels that are a great, low-cost option for homeowners.
With a 25-year warranty for product and performance, these panels have good coverage for your peace of mind. This module offers efficiency levels of up to 20.5%, which is considered relatively low by today’s standards. Still, when you look at this solar panel as a whole, it remains a solid and reliable option.
Why we chose them: JA Solar not only offers solar panels at a great low value, but its panels are also a perfect example of not sacrificing quality for a lower price. JA Solar has landed on our Best Solar Panel Brands list for two consecutive years thanks to its performance, availability, and reputation.
JA Solar’s newest monocrystalline panels reach up to 23% efficiency, which is great, especially when you consider how budget-friendly they are for home solar panel system installations. With a solid warranty to back up their great performance, JA Solar is one of the best affordable solar brands on the market.
Why we chose them: Trina Solar is another affordable solar panel brand that has consistently cranked out high-performing solar technology. Trina also appears on our Top Solar Panel Brands list for .
With an efficiency rating up to 21.5%, Trina’s Vertex S 430 watt solar panel falls within industry standard, with some competitors outperforming them. On the positive side, Trina panels have excellent performance scores under PVEL testing, so you can trust that they’ll be a reliable panel for your roof.
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Why we chose them: Although Mission Solar was not a part of our Top Panel Brands list for , that shouldn’t overshadow the fact that this is a strong company that makes solid solar panels for residential use. These American-made solar panels utilize half-cut cell technology to boost performance.
The panel has a solid 25-year product and performance warranty, but comes with a higher degradation rate than others on this list, promising 84.8% operating efficiency after the warranty period. It also has a slightly lower efficiency rating of 20.5%, but as a whole, Mission is a trustworthy company that offers great solar panels at an excellent value.
It’s also worth noting that Mission’s panels might become an even more affordable option if the Trump Administration institutes new tariffs on imported goods like solar panels and cells. While some of the components that go into Mission’s panels might be impacted, the total cost could be lower than competitors that manufacture overseas.
By using the average 7.2 kilowatt (kW) installation, we’re able to come up with estimated installation prices for each brand, before incentives. Using an affordable brand of solar panels like VSUN can save you hundreds of dollars on installation costs on average.
It’s important to realize that even cheap solar panels will still require a substantial upfront investment. Solar panels account for just 12% of a solar installation’s total costs, so even choosing more affordable solar panels only lowers the price by a few hundred dollars.
You could opt for solar panels that are even cheaper than the ones on our list to see bigger savings in upfront costs. There are plenty of lesser-known solar manufacturers that make panels at a lower cost, but we don’t believe the cost savings are worth sacrificing quality.
There are a number of ways you can make going solar more affordable. Here are our expert tips on how to make going solar cheaper without sacrificing quality.
Right now, the best incentive for homeowners who go solar is the federal solar tax credit, which equals 30% of installation costs and reduces what you owe in federal income taxes by thousands of dollars.
The average homeowner will receive a federal tax credit of about $6,500, which directly reduces their income tax liability.
Different states, municipalities, or utility companies may offer incentives for going solar that can help reduce solar installation costs. This can come in the form of a tax credit, upfront rebate, or performance-based incentive.
Local incentives are also available to those who install solar battery storage with their installation, and low-income solar programs are also available to help qualifying households go solar for cheap.
Net metering is the utility billing practice that makes solar such a good investment. With net metering, you use the solar energy your panels produce to power your home, and any excess electricity gets sent to the utility grid in exchange for a bill credit. When you use energy from the grid later, those bill credits cover the costs, saving you money!
Through net metering, you can save additional money on your electricity bills and contribute towards a shorter payback period of your solar system. Net metering policies differ depending on state regulations and who your utility provider is. You can learn about your local net metering policy by visiting your utility’s website.
Comparing solar quotes is a great way to educate yourself on what you're getting out of a solar installation, but it can also help you get solar panels for around 20% cheaper!
We recommend obtaining at least three solar quotes from local installers to compare the best price for your budget. Looking at fewer solar quotes could mean paying more for a service that another company may be charging less for!
If you’re interested in solar but aren’t ready to make the leap to a rooftop solar system just yet, consider starting small. There are plenty of portable solar panels and power station options that you can use on the go, in your backyard, or have on hand during a power outage to keep your essentials running.
For example, you can get a small solar generator and solar panel set up for under $1,000 and have it handy to charge your when the utility goes down or when you’re on a camping trip. Some specialty RV solar panel kits are designed to power a mobile home, so you can cover more of your power needs when you’re on the road. Even something as simple as a solar-powered charger can help keep you charged up on the beach or in your backyard.
These small-scale solar devices let you experience some of the benefits of solar before you dive into a full-blown home solar installation.
You can find cheap solar panels from private sellers online that can save you hundreds on solar materials. If you want to invest in solar power, used solar panels can be a solid option for off-grid DIY projects, like a solar-powered greenhouse or a solar gazebo.
We don’t recommend purchasing used solar panels for a rooftop solar installation that powers your whole home. Instead, consider looking into refurbished solar panels; they have been restored to an acceptable working condition and are a more trustworthy option.
Community solar is a great way to reap the benefits of solar energy without needing an installation. Community solar programs use a subscription model, where customers pay for a portion of their power to come from solar farms.
With no upfront investment or installation necessary for this option, it’s a great option for renters looking to go solar, low-income residents, or those who simply just want to save money on a solar installation.
If you plan on choosing a full-service installer for your solar system, you might find there’s only a 5% to 10% price difference between the “cheap” option and the industry standard. Ultimately, it’s up to you to figure out if those savings are worth it to you.
Cheap solar panels can be good quality if you seek out the right brand. When it comes to performance and overall quality, there are plenty of solar panels out there that come at a lower price than the national average but still perform well.
Unsure if a solar panel installation is right for your specific home? Put your information into our solar calculator to learn more about solar costs and savings to make informed decisions.
Curious about buying low-cost solar panels and beginning your solar journey? Here are some frequently asked questions you might want to know.
The average home needs between 20 and 25 solar panels to fully offset their utility bills with renewable energy. This number depends on a variety of factors including location, climate, panel efficiency, and individual panel specifications. For more information, read our article that helps calculate how many solar panels you will need using relevant examples.
Yes, solar panels are worth the investment if you’re looking for a long-term renewable energy solution. In general, while solar panels are worth the money, your return on investment (known as a solar payback period) will depend on a few key factors like system size, your electricity use, and your financing or payment method.
Overall, finding the best solar panel brand comes down to comparing their efficiency, temperature coefficient, and warranty. Currently, SunPower, LG, REC, and Panasonic make the best solar panels due to their high efficiencies, competitive pricing, and 25-year warranty. If you’re looking for more detail, read our article that compares the top brands and solar panel products.
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