At one time the only solar energy systems available were commercial ones with an average price tag of between $15,000 and $30,000.
The good news is that with the advance of technology, the costs have decreased considerably making solar energy affordable for most people.
In today's world more and more people are looking for green ways to conserve energy and save money.
Instead of investing all at once in an overall system, people are choosing to gradually change from traditional energy sources to green energy.
This helps you manage the capital investment while seeing a noticeable return.
For just a few hundred dollars you can begin to reduce your reliance on high-priced traditional energy and over time build a system capable of handling all of your energy needs.
Obviously, there are some things that you need to take into consideration such as your energy needs; the position of your house in relationship to direct sunlight; how long you plan to stay in your current location and the portability requirements of your system.
In addition there may also be a requirement for certain changes in your thinking when using solar energy.
These include switching over to energy-saving light bulbs, closely monitoring your temperature settings in both the hottest and coldest months and making sure that your appliances and lights are turned off when you leave the house.
So how much does it really cost for a solar energy system? The answer depends on whether you decide to spend money on a commercial system priced at over $500 per panel or if you are ready to learn how to easily build your own panels for a mere fraction of the cost.
The bottom line is that you get to determine how much you can spend at any given time on your path towards a fully sustainable energy system!