How Much Does a Solar Well Pump Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,200 - $3,000
A solar well pump costs on average $2,000, depending on your well pump size, flow rate, and more.
Well pumps rely on electricity to move water into your home, but that doesn’t mean you’re bound to the power grid. Solar well pumps can be a great way to save money on your utility bill and add eco-friendly power to your home. It can also be a helpful backup system in case of a power outage.
On average, a solar well pump kit costs about $2,000, but it can range from a more cost-effective version at $1,200 up to $3,000, depending on cost factors like well depth, flow rate, and the amount of solar panels. Come explore different factors that can affect solar well pump costs as well as tips to save on your next solar purchase so your budget will be as clear as a sunny day.
- Average
- $2,000
- Low end
- $900
- high end
- $4,500
Parts of a Solar Well Pump
Solar-powered water pumps are made up of two components: the solar array that harnesses power and the well pump that moves water. You’ll need both parts to make a working solar pump setup.
Solar Array
Solar panels provide the energy for your pump system to move water up from the well and into your home. Panels are arranged in a grouping called a solar array, which can be made up of just a few high-powered panels or multiple lower-powered panels.
Solar panels deliver energy in watts, and there are a variety of different wattage panels available. For example, if you need 300 watts to power your pump, you might use two 150-watt panels or three 100-watt panels in your solar array.
Tip: If your solar array generates more power than you need for your well pump, you can store it in a solar battery to make the most of your energy system.
Solar Well Pump
The well pump is the component of your well that actively pushes or pulls water through it and into your plumbing system. It’s powered by the electricity harnessed by the solar panels, and may come in a variety of different depth and flow rates.
The solar pump itself isn’t harnessing solar power, but it’s important that it’s compatible with solar panels. Solar panels deliver direct current (D/C) power, whereas most households use alternating current (A/C) power. This means that standard well pumps can’t generally be hooked up to solar panels.
Factors that Influence Solar Well Pump Costs
There are a few factors that will influence the cost of your solar well pump kit. Learn more about each so you can create an accurate estimate for the cost of your system.
Well Depth
Wells that reach 25 feet or less are typically categorized as shallow wells, while deep wells can extend as deep as 400 feet. Most household wells usually measure somewhere between 100–300 feet, as these depths replenish water quickly enough to support higher household needs. The cost of a solar well pump typically increases with the depth of your well.
| Well Depth (feet) | Solar Pump Cost |
|---|---|
| 0 – 150 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| 150 – 300 | $2,500 – $3,000 |
| 300 – 400+ | $3,500 - $10,000 |
Flow Rate
Flow rate measures the amount of water that your well pump can move in a given amount of time. The most common way to measure flow rate is in gallons per minute or GPM.
The flow rate you need depends on the amount of water you consume—for example, a weekend cabin with one bathroom needs a lower flow rate pump than a multi-bathroom home with laundry and a dishwasher.
Based on your water needs, you can find out what size well pump you need for your home. A quick way to do this is to add one GPM for every water fixture in your home. Most homes use between 8 to 12 GPM.
If you have two bathrooms with a shower, faucet, and toilet in each, that’s a total of 6 GPM.
If you add a dishwasher, kitchen sink, and laundry machine, that’s 9 GPM.
While cost typically increases with greater flow rates, it’s important to have a pump that meets your needs so you’re not left with low water pressure.
| GPM | Solar Pump Cost (pump only) |
|---|---|
| 1.5 GPM | $950 |
| 3.5 GPM | $1,100 |
| 10 GPM | $1,500 |
Amount of Solar Panels
Not all solar well pump kits include solar panels, so it’s important to check whether they’re included in your kit or if you need to plan for solar panel costs separately. Your solar well pump should offer a guideline on the energy demand or solar panel size that you need.
Solar panels come in a range of wattages, but 100-watt is the most common for solar well pumps. These tend to be more affordable than higher-wattage panels, even if you need to buy a greater number of panels.
Most solar panels cost between $1 to $1.50 per watt, meaning you’ll pay between $100 to $150 for a standard 100-watt solar panel.
Higher-watt panels are typically used when there’s a shortage of space (like on smaller rooftops where panels power multiple devices). However, if you’re looking for a compact solution, you can purchase solar panels in 250 watts, 400 watts, and more.
Solar Well Pump Kit Cost Breakdown
Below are several solar well pump systems with different depths, flow rates, and solar panel arrays to give you a sense of cost for each well arrangement.
| Pump Energy Demand | 200 watts | 800 watts |
| Number of Solar Panels | 2 x 100-watt panels | 8 x 100-watt panels |
| Maximum Well Depth | 150 feet | 325 feet |
| Flow Rate (GPM) | 5.1 | 8.9 |
| Pump Kit Cost | $2,150 | $3,500 |
Ongoing Solar Pump Expenses
One of the biggest draws of a solar panel water pump is that it has very little ongoing expenses. Unlike with a regular well pump where you’ll pay a monthly fee for your power grid hookup, a solar well pump doesn’t have any regular monthly expenses.
The only time your solar well pump will have added costs is if something breaks and needs to be repaired or replaced. For example, solar panel repair costs can range from $230 to $1,500. However, well-maintained solar panels rarely need repairs and can last 25 to 30 years.
| Type of Repair | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Maintenance cleaning | $15 per panel |
| Broken or cracked panel | $120 – $450 |
| Loose connections | $100 |
Tips to Save Money
Solar well pumps can save you big in monthly fees, but the initial investment can be daunting. To make that cost more manageable, explore a few tips below to save money on a solar well pump in the long and short term.
Check Up on Your Pump
A well-maintained solar well pump can last you 10 to 20 years, so it’s worth checking up on it every so often. Fortunately, your well system will usually give you a heads-up when something isn’t working right. There are a few tried-and-true signs to watch out for that could indicate it’s time to check up on your well pump.
If you’ve noticed spitting taps, changes in pressure, or unusual sounds coming from your well system, this doesn’t necessarily mean the end for your pump, but it’s a good idea to get it checked before any major damage can occur. Something as simple as fixing an old pressure switch may save you the cost of a well pump repair, so it’s worth bringing in a pro if you’re not sure about an issue you’re noticing.
Buy the Right Pump Size
Like a standard well pump, there are certain risk factors that can cause your solar well pump to wear out or break sooner. This includes things like having a well pump that’s too small for your water demand, which can cause the pump to work harder and burn out the motor.
Even though pumps with a greater flow rate can be a bigger initial investment, buying the right size well pump will save you money in the long run if it keeps your pump from breaking later on.
Research Your Solar Company
There are a lot of different types of solar panels, and it can pay to research different installation pricing models. We’ve compiled a list of questions to ask your solar company so you can tackle the process of buying and installing solar panels with confidence.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Shallow wells less than 25 feet tend to be manageable for DIY installation, even if you don’t have a ton of experience, since the well pump connections are only about five feet down the well hole. You’ll still have to follow a few meticulous steps for replacing the well pump, but it can be worth the time and cost savings.
In general, installing your own well pump typically costs between $250 to $1000, while hiring a pro ranges from $980 to $2,750 to replace a well pump. That being said, initial cost isn’t the only factor to consider. Well pump installations can be tricky and time-consuming, and it’s worth calculating the value of your time in the cost equation.
For deeper wells, it’s best to bring in a pro. There’s a much higher risk of damaging your solar well pump in a deep well. Hiring a local well pump contractor is the best way to protect your well pump investment so it can save you money in the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Solar well pumps typically range from needing about 200 watts of power to as much as 12,000 watts for heavy-duty pumps. Since the most common and affordable solar panels are 100-watt panels, you’ll need anywhere from 2 to 12 panels. The average is usually between 2 to 8 panels for standard pumps.
Solar panels need very little maintenance to keep them working. The most important thing is that they’re clear to receive sun—this means cleaning off any leaves, snow, and debris. Use a soft cloth to avoid damaging the panels when you clean.
The best solar-panel mounting system will depend on your property layout, but you’ll typically want to try for south-facing panels to get the most sun. Roof mounting and wall mounting are both popular, but if your well setup is far away from buildings and other structures you can also set up a freestanding aluminum frame to mount your panels.