With any construction project there will be unforeseen costs, and a solar system installation is no exception. Just as building contractors usually charge by the square footage of a home or addition, so do solar installers charge by the watt capacity for a solar system – which can be broken down into a certain price per foot and per watt, respectively. This makes it possible for the homeowner wishing to go solar to estimate how much a new solar system will cost to install. However, there are certain factors which are often overlooked and can increase installation costs significantly. Here are some important variables to be conscious of when budgeting your new solar system:

Roofs. Flat roofs will require framing or scaffolding to achieve the proper tilt toward the sun. Depending on the size of your system, this extra framework can really tack on dollars. Your type of roof may also be a cause of some concern. Tile roofs tend to cost more because of extra mounting labor and the tiles’ fragility. These and any other possible roofing issues should be included in a contractor’s bid and should be discussed during the interview.

Ground Mount Systems. From the roof to the ground. Ground mount systems are advantageous in that you can point the solar panels in whichever direction is optimal for your area. Whereas a roof system is limited to whichever direction the house is already pointing. Nonetheless, there are important costs to keep in mind with ground systems that are not incurred with a typical roof system. First of all, a frame must be built or assembled to hold the panels at the correct tilt and this of course will cost extra cash. Plus the framework will need to be fixed to the ground using concrete. Conduit for electrical work may need to be laid underground from the panels to your meter.

Permits. Different cities and counties have different, sometimes complex, rules and fees for building permits. Depending on where you live, you may encounter higher fees than you originally think.

Utility Service Upgrade. When you system is installed it will come with an inverter to convert solar DC current into usable AC current. You may discover that you do not have space for it on your breaker panel or that you do not have enough amp capacity. Any electrician may have to install a second panel and/or you may need to upgrade your service to allow a higher amp capacity.

Options. There are also some common upgrades or extra services you may want to purchase as you move through the installation process. Being aware of them ahead of time will make your decision easier.

• Many solar companies offer solar monitoring systems which will upload your energy production to the web so that you may track it easily.
• Inverter upgrade. If you have plans to upgrade your new solar system at a later date, then you may want to purchase a more powerful inverter right off the bat. This, of course, will cost more money up front, but in the near future utility companies will likely have to annually pay you for excess energy produced by your solar system. And then some extra panels may not seem like such a wild idea.

These are just a few things that can drive up the price of your solar panel installation. Being aware of them may save you some serious headaches after the work has started. Most solar contractors are honest and aware of these things themselves. Don’t hesitate to question them as they will have more specific answers to your questions and will know these variables apply to you and your region.

In figuring out initial costs, don’t forget to study your state’s tax and rebate incentives. Unfortunately these can vary widely between states and can often be confusing. But working these incentives out can significantly lower your system’s price tag. Again, your contractor or solar company should be a big help in this area.