While solar panels cost less than ever before, it’s still been at a slow rate, thus making the cost to get solar slightly more expensive. So it makes sense to wait until prices drop even further. But any cost savings you might find by delaying your purchase isn’t going to make up for the costs you’d forego to wait for your buy any longer. The trick is to shop around to find the best deals, and you can do that with these three tips.

Start your research early: The National Association of Home Builders estimates that the national average home purchase price is about $3000. This price range covers all sizes and price ranges, so finding solar panels cost that fall within this price range should be easy. However, you might need to look outside this price range to find your panels at a lower price. Start looking for installers near your home, as they’ll likely offer a discounted price on the installation.

Find out what your panel system produces: The amount of energy a solar panels cost will depend on how much power it actually produces. If you’re interested in having a solar panel system produce enough energy to meet your needs, then you’ll need to factor in the amount of electricity your household uses today. Also think about whether or not you’ll be adding a second, or third, panel system to generate additional electricity. The solar panel system’s overall cost will also depend on how many panels you buy, and how much of those panels are installed on-site.

Research the local incentives and rebates: As mentioned above, many states offer rebates, incentives, and tax credits for solar home systems. Before making a final decision, check with your local state government. Some states offer rebates up to 15% of the purchase price, while others offer rebates on the initial purchase as well as on the subsequent years. Both of these factors can play a part in lowering your solar panels cost.

Go solar with federal and local incentives: Even if your home electricity bills are high right now, you can still go solar with the help of federal and local incentives. Some utility companies offer special rate plans for people who use solar panels, as long as you also take active steps to reduce your electricity consumption. For example, you can make an informed decision when shopping for electricity-generating appliances. If you know your household electricity usage is already minimal, you can choose to install energy-efficient appliances. You may also choose to make some changes to your lifestyle – go for smaller car insurance, or take public transportation instead of owning a car.

Understand the labor costs involved: Solar panel systems can be very expensive, but that doesn’t mean that you should just go out and buy one. Before you even consider it, you need to understand the true cost per watt of the equipment you’re buying. While you should expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a good panel system, the actual cost could be several thousand dollars. If you plan to have your own home solar power system for many years, then it’s better to hire an expert installer – especially if you want to get a large system installed. An expert can also guide you to the best place to buy a solar panel’s system, which can help you save even more money.

Choose the right energy-efficient appliances: Even if you’ve got big ideas about installing solar panels on your own, it’s still a good idea to consult a professional. He will let you know what type of energy-efficient appliances to buy. Some people can save more by purchasing appliances that are more energy-efficient. Energy-efficient appliances are also less expensive to run, so you’ll be able to realize significant savings on your electric bill. And by purchasing energy-efficient appliances and other solar energy equipment, you can easily begin making your monthly savings on your energy bills.

Explore the best way to get a solar panel system: Even if you’re deciding between solar panels or another energy source such as wind power or geothermal power, you should explore all of your options. Do you live in a place where there aren’t any good opportunities for solar panel installation? Maybe you could do it yourself, but is it really worth the effort? There are plenty of ways to get the energy you need at a good price – it just takes some research and foresight.