New solar heating system price

Solar water heaters for homes cost $3,000 to $9,000 with installation. Active solar water heating costs $2,300 to $6,000, and passive thermal water heaters cost $1,000 to $3,700 for the system alone. Solar hot water collector panels cost $800 to $1,500 each. Solar storage tank prices are $1,000 to $2,800. *Before applying tax credits and rebates.

Reported prices vary all the way from $50/sf for unglazed swimming pool heater to $424/sf for a system in a report that uses evacuated tube solar collectors. For example, in 2003, 62 units, each with two 4 ft x 8 ft solar collectors, were installed in a housing area with an average cost of $4,000 per system, or $62.50/sf.

Every solar installation is unique, with heating and cooling demand taking into consideration the climate, home size and configuration, type of system, and available sun exposure. Residential backup systems available from home improvement retailers range between $3,000 and $7,000.

Photovoltaic solar panels are only 15% to 20% efficient at converting the sun's energy to heating water. Photovoltaic panels can generate solar electricity to power a hybrid heat pump water heater instead. Solar panel installation costs $10,600 to $26,400 (after the tax credit) for a 6 to 12 kW system to power an average house.

Solar water heating systems cost more to purchase and install than conventional water heating systems. However, a solar water heater can usually save you money in the long run. How much money you save depends on the following: On average, if you install a solar water heater, your water heating bills should drop 50%–80%.

Based on 38 project costs reported by HomeGuide members. In comparison, a conventional water heater installation costs $600 to $3,100, and a tankless water heater costs $1,400 to $5,600. All prices in this guide exclude the federal tax credit and rebates that save 26% to 50% on total costs, unless otherwise stated.