Learn About Solar Energy

What drives the cost of a solar array?

The cost of a solar array is driven by a number of considerations.

The first is the type of roof. Metal roofs like standing seam or screw-down roofs are very cost effective to install on (40-50% cheaper than a flat roof in some cases).

The second is the size and complexity of the array. Are there plumbing vents, HVAC units, or gas lines? Steering around them adds cost.

The third is the size of the building itself. Very tall buildings tend to have higher uplift forces on top, which means that they need more structural requirements to hold them in place.

The fourth is location. Buildings that are installed in a county versus in the city tend to be less expensive due to permitting and engineering requirements.

Then there’s the distance from the array to the main electrical room; how complex is that route going to be? Industrial buildings tend to have flexibility with how the pipe and wire can run, which can bring the cost down significantly.

The final consideration when pricing out a solar array is: what is the electrical infrastructure that it will be connecting to? Is it a splitter, or the main distribution panel? What is its voltage? 4-80 volt is the most cost effective for us by far, but 600 volt also works.

As you can see, the cost of an array is dependent on many factors, and no two jobs are the same. If you have questions about getting solar installed on your building, we have answers. Give us a call today at 587-774-7275.