Solar Panel Cost USA 2026
By Our research team · Last verified · 14 min read · Methodology
Solar costs in the US
What most homeowners pay for solar install, installed, before incentives. Pick your city for local prices.
How we get this data- Typical
- $22,400
- Low end
- $15,500
- High end
- $36,000
Home solar in the USA costs $18,350–$28,900 installed in 2026 for an 8 kW system with standard panels, and most homeowners pay about $22,400, or $2,800 per kW. A 6 kW system runs $14,450–$22,700 and a 10 kW system $22,300–$35,100. There is no federal tax credit left for systems you own installed in 2026, so these are the prices you actually pay before any state or utility help.
$18,350–$28,900 installed for an 8 kW home solar system with standard panels, $22,400 typical, with no federal credit in 2026. Budget $22,300–$35,100 for 10 kW and $11,500–$18,500 more for a Tesla Powerwall 3. Pick your city ↓
- 8 kW home solar system, installed: $18,350–$28,900, $22,400 typical (about $2,800 per kW)
- 6 kW: $14,450–$22,700; 10 kW: $22,300–$35,100; 12–13 kW: $26,550–$44,550
- No federal tax credit for systems you own finished after December 31, 2025
- Battery added with solar: $5,500–$8,500 for 5 kWh, $11,500–$18,500 for a Tesla Powerwall 3
- Pick a city below for local prices across 195 US metros
Prices below blend marketplace quote data, national cost surveys, Berkeley Lab's installed-price data, installer and manufacturer pricing and state program pages across 195 US metros, re-verified in November 2026. Pick your city for local pricing.
An 8 kW system runs $18,350–$28,900 installed across the US. Hardware is only about a third of that; sales, design, permits, labor and profit are the rest, which is why the same system costs more in Boston or New York than in Phoenix or Houston. Batteries and inverters are priced nationally and move less. All prices are before incentives and any sales tax.
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 42+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Solar cost by city
Typical solar panel ranges, re-verified November 2026 across 42+ sources. Largest cities first.
Among the biggest metros, Washington is the priciest at $25,700 and Miami the least at $19,600.
Half of the 195 metros we price sit between $21,200 and $22,800.
| City | Typical range |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $20,800–$32,800 installed |
| Los Angeles, CA | $18,950–$29,850 installed |
| Chicago, IL | $19,850–$31,200 installed |
| Dallas, TX | $17,300–$27,200 installed |
| Houston, TX | $16,550–$26,100 installed |
| Washington, DC | $21,050–$33,150 installed |
| Atlanta, GA | $18,950–$29,850 installed |
| Philadelphia, PA | $18,500–$29,100 installed |
| Miami, FL | $16,050–$25,300 installed |
| Phoenix, AZ | $16,400–$25,800 installed |
| Boston, MA | $20,150–$31,700 installed |
| San Francisco, CA | $19,300–$30,400 installed |
| Riverside, CA | $18,350–$28,900 installed |
| Detroit, MI | $19,650–$30,950 installed |
| Seattle, WA | $18,950–$29,850 installed |
| Minneapolis, MN | $19,600–$30,850 installed |
| San Diego, CA | $18,750–$29,500 installed |
| Tampa, FL | $16,550–$26,100 installed |
| Orange County, CA | $18,750–$29,500 installed |
| Denver, CO | $19,800–$31,150 installed |
| Oakland, CA | $18,750–$29,500 installed |
| Charlotte, NC | $18,150–$28,600 installed |
| Baltimore, MD | $18,050–$28,400 installed |
| St. Louis, MO | $17,500–$27,550 installed |
| Orlando, FL | $16,550–$26,100 installed |
| Brooklyn, NY | $20,800–$32,800 installed |
| San Antonio, TX | $16,450–$25,850 installed |
| Fort Worth, TX | $16,950–$26,650 installed |
| Austin, TX | $17,300–$27,200 installed |
| Portland, OR | $18,250–$28,750 installed |
| Sacramento, CA | $18,750–$29,500 installed |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $18,500–$29,100 installed |
| Las Vegas, NV | $17,500–$27,600 installed |
| Cincinnati, OH | $18,050–$28,450 installed |
| Kansas City, MO | $17,500–$27,550 installed |
| Columbus, OH | $18,050–$28,450 installed |
| Newark, NJ | $18,500–$29,100 installed |
| Nashville, TN | $20,700–$32,600 installed |
| Indianapolis, IN | $18,600–$29,300 installed |
| Cleveland, OH | $18,050–$28,450 installed |
| San Jose, CA | $18,750–$29,500 installed |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | $16,550–$26,100 installed |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $17,900–$28,200 installed |
| Jacksonville, FL | $16,250–$25,600 installed |
| Providence, RI | $18,400–$29,000 installed |
| Milwaukee, WI | $19,250–$30,300 installed |
| Raleigh, NC | $18,150–$28,600 installed |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $17,250–$27,150 installed |
| West Palm Beach, FL | $16,250–$25,600 installed |
| New Orleans, LA | $18,350–$28,900 installed |
| Memphis, TN | $20,100–$31,650 installed |
| Richmond, VA | $18,300–$28,800 installed |
| Louisville, KY | $17,550–$27,650 installed |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $18,950–$29,800 installed |
| Hartford, CT | $17,950–$28,300 installed |
| Birmingham, AL | $20,700–$32,550 installed |
| Buffalo, NY | $18,850–$29,700 installed |
| Rochester, NY | $18,850–$29,700 installed |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $19,250–$30,350 installed |
| Tucson, AZ | $16,300–$25,650 installed |
| Honolulu, HI | $20,300–$32,000 installed |
| Tulsa, OK | $17,250–$27,150 installed |
| Fresno, CA | $18,350–$28,900 installed |
| Omaha, NE | $17,150–$27,000 installed |
| St. Petersburg, FL | $16,250–$25,600 installed |
| Worcester, MA | $18,550–$29,250 installed |
| Bridgeport, CT | $17,950–$28,300 installed |
| Greenville, SC | $17,800–$28,050 installed |
| Tacoma, WA | $18,050–$28,400 installed |
| Albuquerque, NM | $17,950–$28,250 installed |
| Bakersfield, CA | $19,000–$29,900 installed |
| Albany, NY | $18,850–$29,700 installed |
| Knoxville, TN | $19,700–$31,000 installed |
| McAllen, TX | $16,750–$26,400 installed |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $18,000–$28,350 installed |
| El Paso, TX | $16,750–$26,400 installed |
| Sarasota, FL | $16,050–$25,300 installed |
| New Haven, CT | $17,800–$28,000 installed |
| Columbia, SC | $18,000–$28,350 installed |
| Oxnard, CA | $18,150–$28,600 installed |
| Charleston, SC | $18,000–$28,350 installed |
| Dayton, OH | $17,500–$27,600 installed |
| Boise, ID | $20,950–$33,050 installed |
| Fort Myers, FL | $16,050–$25,300 installed |
| Stockton, CA | $18,150–$28,600 installed |
| Greensboro, NC | $17,600–$27,750 installed |
| Lakeland, FL | $16,050–$25,300 installed |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $18,550–$29,200 installed |
| Little Rock, AR | $16,650–$26,200 installed |
| Des Moines, IA | $18,700–$29,450 installed |
| Wilmington, DE | $17,700–$27,900 installed |
| Akron, OH | $17,500–$27,600 installed |
| Daytona Beach, FL | $16,050–$25,300 installed |
| Provo, UT | $18,350–$28,900 installed |
| Springfield, MA | $18,550–$29,250 installed |
| Ogden, UT | $18,350–$28,900 installed |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $17,600–$27,750 installed |
| Madison, WI | $18,650–$29,400 installed |
| Syracuse, NY | $18,700–$29,400 installed |
| Durham, NC | $17,800–$28,050 installed |
| Wichita, KS | $17,800–$28,050 installed |
| Toledo, OH | $17,500–$27,600 installed |
| Augusta, GA | $17,850–$28,100 installed |
| Palm Bay, FL | $16,050–$25,300 installed |
| Jackson, MS | $17,350–$27,350 installed |
| Harrisburg, PA | $17,900–$28,250 installed |
| Spokane, WA | $17,850–$28,100 installed |
| Chattanooga, TN | $19,500–$30,700 installed |
| Fayetteville, AR | $16,650–$26,200 installed |
| Scranton, PA | $17,900–$28,250 installed |
| Portland, ME | $18,600–$29,250 installed |
| Modesto, CA | $18,150–$28,600 installed |
| Lansing, MI | $19,100–$30,050 installed |
| Youngstown, OH | $17,500–$27,600 installed |
| Fayetteville, NC | $17,600–$27,750 installed |
| Lexington, KY | $17,050–$26,850 installed |
| Huntsville, AL | $20,450–$32,250 installed |
| Pensacola, FL | $16,050–$25,300 installed |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $17,800–$28,050 installed |
| Mesa, AZ | $16,850–$26,550 installed |
| Reno, NV | $17,000–$26,750 installed |
| Springfield, MO | $16,950–$26,700 installed |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $18,150–$28,600 installed |
| Asheville, NC | $17,600–$27,750 installed |
| Killeen, TX | $16,750–$26,400 installed |
| Visalia, CA | $18,150–$28,600 installed |
| Lafayette, LA | $17,800–$28,050 installed |
| Long Beach, CA | $18,750–$29,500 installed |
| Santa Barbara, CA | $18,150–$28,600 installed |
| Salinas, CA | $18,150–$28,600 installed |
| Mobile, AL | $20,450–$32,250 installed |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $16,750–$26,400 installed |
| Manchester, NH | $18,250–$28,750 installed |
| Salem, OR | $17,700–$27,850 installed |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $18,050–$28,450 installed |
| Brownsville, TX | $16,750–$26,400 installed |
| Gulfport, MS | $17,350–$27,350 installed |
| Appleton, WI | $18,650–$29,400 installed |
| Savannah, GA | $17,850–$28,100 installed |
| Anchorage, AK | $19,550–$30,750 installed |
| Beaumont, TX | $16,750–$26,400 installed |
| Flint, MI | $19,100–$30,050 installed |
| Peoria, IL | $18,650–$29,400 installed |
| Canton, OH | $17,500–$27,600 installed |
| Arlington, TX | $16,950–$26,650 installed |
| Shreveport, LA | $17,800–$28,050 installed |
| Tallahassee, FL | $16,050–$25,300 installed |
| Montgomery, AL | $20,450–$32,250 installed |
| Trenton, NJ | $17,950–$28,250 installed |
| Eugene, OR | $17,700–$27,850 installed |
| Davenport, IA | $18,700–$29,450 installed |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $19,100–$30,050 installed |
| Fort Collins, CO | $18,550–$29,200 installed |
| Gainesville, FL | $16,050–$25,300 installed |
| Lincoln, NE | $16,950–$26,700 installed |
| Rockford, IL | $18,650–$29,400 installed |
| Lubbock, TX | $16,750–$26,400 installed |
| Columbus, GA | $17,850–$28,100 installed |
| Boulder, CO | $18,550–$29,200 installed |
| Green Bay, WI | $18,650–$29,400 installed |
| Evansville, IN | $18,050–$28,450 installed |
| South Bend, IN | $18,050–$28,450 installed |
| Roanoke, VA | $17,750–$27,950 installed |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $16,900–$26,650 installed |
| Wilmington, NC | $17,600–$27,750 installed |
| Stamford, CT | $17,950–$28,300 installed |
| Waco, TX | $16,750–$26,400 installed |
| Jersey City, NJ | $18,500–$29,100 installed |
| Duluth, MN | $19,000–$29,900 installed |
| Laredo, TX | $16,750–$26,400 installed |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $18,700–$29,450 installed |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $20,450–$32,250 installed |
| Amarillo, TX | $16,750–$26,400 installed |
| Erie, PA | $17,900–$28,250 installed |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $17,950–$28,250 installed |
| Fargo, ND | $18,150–$28,600 installed |
| Charleston, WV | $17,100–$26,900 installed |
| Norfolk, VA | $17,900–$28,200 installed |
| Macon, GA | $17,850–$28,100 installed |
| Champaign, IL | $18,650–$29,400 installed |
| Burlington, VT | $17,750–$27,950 installed |
| Topeka, KS | $17,800–$28,050 installed |
| Rochester, MN | $19,000–$29,900 installed |
| Athens, GA | $17,850–$28,100 installed |
| Las Cruces, NM | $17,750–$27,950 installed |
| Columbia, MO | $16,950–$26,700 installed |
| St. George, UT | $18,350–$28,900 installed |
| Hilo, HI | $19,700–$31,050 installed |
| Billings, MT | $17,450–$27,450 installed |
| Greenville, NC | $17,600–$27,750 installed |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $17,350–$27,350 installed |
| Santa Fe, NM | $17,750–$27,950 installed |
| Missoula, MT | $17,450–$27,450 installed |
| Cheyenne, WY | $18,350–$28,850 installed |
| Fairbanks, AK | $19,550–$30,750 installed |
Each city page has local rates by area, real-world solar installation costs and a city-specific FAQ. Prices shown are the low end of the typical range, installed.
Alabama
- Birminghamfrom $20,700
- Huntsvillefrom $20,450
- Mobilefrom $20,450
- Montgomeryfrom $20,450
- Tuscaloosafrom $20,450
Arkansas
- Little Rockfrom $16,650
- Fayettevillefrom $16,650
California
- Los Angelesfrom $18,950
- San Franciscofrom $19,300
- Riversidefrom $18,350
- San Diegofrom $18,750
- Orange Countyfrom $18,750
- Oaklandfrom $18,750
- Sacramentofrom $18,750
- San Josefrom $18,750
- Fresnofrom $18,350
- Bakersfieldfrom $19,000
- Oxnardfrom $18,150
- Stocktonfrom $18,150
- Modestofrom $18,150
- Santa Rosafrom $18,150
- Visaliafrom $18,150
- Long Beachfrom $18,750
- Santa Barbarafrom $18,150
- Salinasfrom $18,150
Colorado
- Denverfrom $19,800
- Colorado Springsfrom $18,550
- Fort Collinsfrom $18,550
- Boulderfrom $18,550
Connecticut
- Hartfordfrom $17,950
- Bridgeportfrom $17,950
- New Havenfrom $17,800
- Stamfordfrom $17,950
Delaware
- Wilmingtonfrom $17,700
District of Columbia
- Washingtonfrom $21,050
Florida
- Miamifrom $16,050
- Tampafrom $16,550
- Orlandofrom $16,550
- Fort Lauderdalefrom $16,550
- Jacksonvillefrom $16,250
- West Palm Beachfrom $16,250
- St. Petersburgfrom $16,250
- Sarasotafrom $16,050
- Fort Myersfrom $16,050
- Lakelandfrom $16,050
- Daytona Beachfrom $16,050
- Palm Bayfrom $16,050
- Pensacolafrom $16,050
- Tallahasseefrom $16,050
- Gainesvillefrom $16,050
Georgia
Idaho
- Boisefrom $20,950
Indiana
- Indianapolisfrom $18,600
- Fort Waynefrom $18,050
- Evansvillefrom $18,050
- South Bendfrom $18,050
Iowa
- Des Moinesfrom $18,700
- Davenportfrom $18,700
- Cedar Rapidsfrom $18,700
Kentucky
- Louisvillefrom $17,550
- Lexingtonfrom $17,050
Louisiana
- New Orleansfrom $18,350
- Baton Rougefrom $18,000
- Lafayettefrom $17,800
- Shreveportfrom $17,800
Maine
- Portlandfrom $18,600
Maryland
- Baltimorefrom $18,050
Massachusetts
- Bostonfrom $20,150
- Worcesterfrom $18,550
- Springfieldfrom $18,550
Michigan
- Detroitfrom $19,650
- Grand Rapidsfrom $19,250
- Lansingfrom $19,100
- Flintfrom $19,100
- Ann Arborfrom $19,100
Minnesota
- Minneapolisfrom $19,600
- Duluthfrom $19,000
- Rochesterfrom $19,000
Mississippi
- Jacksonfrom $17,350
- Gulfportfrom $17,350
- Hattiesburgfrom $17,350
Missouri
- St. Louisfrom $17,500
- Kansas Cityfrom $17,500
- Springfieldfrom $16,950
- Columbiafrom $16,950
New Hampshire
- Manchesterfrom $18,250
New Jersey
- Newarkfrom $18,500
- Trentonfrom $17,950
- Jersey Cityfrom $18,500
- Atlantic Cityfrom $17,950
New Mexico
- Albuquerquefrom $17,950
- Las Crucesfrom $17,750
- Santa Fefrom $17,750
New York
North Carolina
- Charlottefrom $18,150
- Raleighfrom $18,150
- Greensborofrom $17,600
- Winston-Salemfrom $17,600
- Durhamfrom $17,800
- Fayettevillefrom $17,600
- Ashevillefrom $17,600
- Wilmingtonfrom $17,600
- Greenvillefrom $17,600
North Dakota
- Fargofrom $18,150
Ohio
- Cincinnatifrom $18,050
- Columbusfrom $18,050
- Clevelandfrom $18,050
- Daytonfrom $17,500
- Akronfrom $17,500
- Toledofrom $17,500
- Youngstownfrom $17,500
- Cantonfrom $17,500
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Cityfrom $17,250
- Tulsafrom $17,250
Pennsylvania
- Philadelphiafrom $18,500
- Pittsburghfrom $18,500
- Harrisburgfrom $17,900
- Scrantonfrom $17,900
- Eriefrom $17,900
Rhode Island
- Providencefrom $18,400
South Carolina
- Greenvillefrom $17,800
- Columbiafrom $18,000
- Charlestonfrom $18,000
- Myrtle Beachfrom $17,800
South Dakota
- Sioux Fallsfrom $16,900
Tennessee
- Nashvillefrom $20,700
- Memphisfrom $20,100
- Knoxvillefrom $19,700
- Chattanoogafrom $19,500
Texas
- Dallasfrom $17,300
- Houstonfrom $16,550
- San Antoniofrom $16,450
- Fort Worthfrom $16,950
- Austinfrom $17,300
- McAllenfrom $16,750
- El Pasofrom $16,750
- Killeenfrom $16,750
- Corpus Christifrom $16,750
- Brownsvillefrom $16,750
- Beaumontfrom $16,750
- Arlingtonfrom $16,950
- Lubbockfrom $16,750
- Wacofrom $16,750
- Laredofrom $16,750
- Amarillofrom $16,750
Utah
- Salt Lake Cityfrom $18,950
- Provofrom $18,350
- Ogdenfrom $18,350
- St. Georgefrom $18,350
Vermont
- Burlingtonfrom $17,750
Virginia
- Virginia Beachfrom $17,900
- Richmondfrom $18,300
- Roanokefrom $17,750
- Norfolkfrom $17,900
West Virginia
- Charlestonfrom $17,100
Wyoming
- Cheyennefrom $18,350
Solar prices, 2026
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 kW solar system, standard panelsinstalled | $18,350 | $22,400 | $28,900 |
| 6 kW solar system, standard panelsinstalled | $14,450 | $17,600 | $22,700 |
| 6 kW solar system, premium panelsinstalled | $15,900 | $20,250 | $28,400 |
| 8 kW solar system, premium panelsinstalled | $20,200 | $25,750 | $36,150 |
| 10 kW solar system, standard panelsinstalled | $22,300 | $27,200 | $35,100 |
| 10 kW solar system, premium panelsinstalled | $24,550 | $31,300 | $43,900 |
| 12–13 kW solar system for a large homeinstalled | $26,550 | $33,500 | $44,550 |
| Price per kW, standard panelsper kW | $2,300 | $2,800 | $3,600 |
| 5 kWh battery added with solarinstalled | $5,500 | $7,000 | $8,500 |
| 10–13 kWh battery added with solarinstalled | $9,000 | $13,000 | $17,000 |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh), installedinstalled | $11,500 | $14,750 | $18,500 |
| Hybrid inverter upgrade (battery-ready)installed | $2,500 | $3,500 | $5,500 |
| String inverter replacementinstalled | $1,500 | $2,300 | $3,500 |
| Microinverter replacement, one unit (out of warranty)per unit | $300 | $450 | $750 |
| Solar panel cleaning (15–25 panels)per visit | $150 | $300 | $500 |
| System health check / inspectionper visit | $150 | $250 | $350 |
| Remove and reinstall panels for a re-roof (about 20 panels)per job | $3,500 | $5,000 | $8,000 |
| Critter guard around the array (8–10 kW)installed | $700 | $1,200 | $1,700 |
| Main panel upgrade for solar (to 200 amps)installed | $1,500 | $2,500 | $4,500 |
| Monitoring subscription, where chargedper year | $0 | $120 | $240 |
| Ground mount instead of roof mount (8 kW)extra | $4,000 | $6,500 | $10,000 |
| Clay or concrete tile roofextra | $1,000 | $1,750 | $2,500 |
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 42+ American pricing sources · See methodology
National average prices. Select a city above for location-specific pricing.
Got it as a PDF or photo? Upload up to 3 quotes and compare →
Get free quotes from up to 2 local solar installers
Free · No obligation · About a minute
- 1The job
- 2Budget
- 3Your details
What do you need a price on?
Tap one to start.
What's your rough budget?
A ballpark is fine. It helps the solar installers who reply.
Where should they text you?
- Max 2 solar installers. No call floods.
- 100% free. No obligation.
- 🔒 Only your matched solar installers see your number.
By continuing, you agree to our Terms and to up to 2 solar installers contacting you by phone or text.
Check your phone
Solar System Sizes Compared: Cost, Output and Who Each Fits
An 8 kW system is the typical US home size at $18,350–$28,900 installed. Daily output assumes the US average of about 5 peak sun hours and normal losses; monthly use is what each size roughly covers.
| System size | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4 kW system — about 16 kWh a day | $10,700–$16,850 installed | Small home or condo; about 480 kWh a month |
| 6 kW system — about 24 kWh a day | $14,450–$22,700 installed | Smaller home; about 730 kWh a month |
| 8 kW system — about 32 kWh a day | $18,350–$28,900 installed | Typical home; about 970 kWh a month |
| 10 kW system — about 40 kWh a day | $22,300–$35,100 installed | Larger home, central AC or one EV; about 1,200 kWh a month |
| 12 kW system — about 48 kWh a day | $26,550–$41,800 installed | Big home, pool or electric heat; about 1,450 kWh a month |
| 15 kW system — about 60 kWh a day | $32,050–$50,400 installed | Very large all-electric home or two EVs; about 1,800 kWh a month |
| 8 kW solar + 13.5 kWh battery | $29,300–$46,500 installed | Backup in outages and evening use where exports earn little (California, Hawaii) |
| 13.5 kWh battery only (no solar) | $11,500–$18,500 installed | Backup without panels, or a shaded roof |
Bigger systems cost less per kW: about $3,250 at 4 kW against $2,600 at 15 kW. Size yours on 12 months of bills, not on how much roof you have. Berkeley Lab puts the 2025 US median at 7.7 kW.
Common Solar Jobs and What They Cost (2026)
A typical rooftop install takes one to three days on site; permits and the utility hookup take longer than the work. An 8 kW system runs $18,350–$28,900.
| Block or rate | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install an 8 kW rooftop system (1–3 days) | $18,350 | $22,400 | $28,900 |
| Install a 6 kW rooftop system (1–2 days) | $14,450 | $17,600 | $22,700 |
| Install a 10 kW rooftop system (2–3 days) | $22,300 | $27,200 | $35,100 |
| Add a Powerwall 3 during the solar install (adds about 1 day) | $11,500 | $14,750 | $18,500 |
| Swap in a battery-ready hybrid inverter (half a day to 1 day) | $2,500 | $3,500 | $5,500 |
| Replace a string inverter (2–4 hrs) | $1,500 | $2,300 | $3,500 |
| Replace one microinverter (1–3 hrs on the roof) | $300 | $450 | $750 |
| Clean the panels (1–3 hrs) | $150 | $300 | $500 |
| System health check (1–2 hrs) | $150 | $250 | $350 |
| Fit a critter guard around the array (half a day) | $700 | $1,200 | $1,700 |
| Remove and reinstall panels for a re-roof (1 day off, 1 day back on) | $3,500 | $5,000 | $8,000 |
| Upgrade the main panel to 200 amps (1 day, plus a utility visit) | $1,500 | $2,500 | $4,500 |
Time on the roof is short; the wait is the paperwork. Design, permit approval, inspection and the utility's permission to operate usually take several weeks to a few months, depending on your city and utility.
Solar Only vs Solar + Battery vs Battery Only
Solar alone is the cheapest way to cut a power bill; a battery adds backup and helps most where exports earn little. Here is how the three compare on a typical home.
| Factor | Solar only (8 kW) | Solar + battery | Battery only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost, installed | $18,350–$28,900 | $29,300–$46,500 with a Powerwall 3 | $11,500–$18,500 for 13.5 kWh |
| Power during an outage | No. Grid-tied panels shut off when the grid goes down | Yes. Runs essentials, and solar recharges the battery each day | Yes, until the battery runs down (hours to about a day) |
| Cuts your bill | Yes: about 11,600 kWh a year at average US sun | Yes, and shifts solar power into the evening peak | Only on time-of-use rates or utility battery programs |
| Simple payback | Fastest; about 8–16 years at 12–25 cents a kWh with full export credit | Slower; the battery adds cost faster than savings | Rarely pays back on savings alone |
| Best where | Exports are credited at the full rate (Florida's big utilities) | Exports earn little (California's Solar Billing Plan) or outages are common | You want backup but the roof is shaded or unsuitable |
| Federal credit in 2026 | None for systems you own | None for systems you own | None |
| Upkeep | Little; one string inverter swap in 10–15 years | Little; battery warranties are usually 10–15 years | Little; app monitoring |
Solar only if your utility credits exports at the full rate and outages are rare. Solar plus a battery if you are on California's Solar Billing Plan, in Hawaii, or in hurricane or wildfire-shutoff country. A battery alone only if backup is the goal and panels will not work on your roof.
Upkeep Over the Life of a Solar System
Solar is cheap to keep. Over 25 years, most owners pay for one inverter replacement and the odd service visit. These are the lines to budget for.
| Item | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning, per visit (if needed) | $150 | $300 | $500 |
| Health check / inspection, per visit | $150 | $250 | $350 |
| Monitoring subscription, per year (often free) | $0 | $120 | $240 |
| String inverter replacement, once in 10–15 years | $1,500 | $2,300 | $3,500 |
| One microinverter, out of warranty | $300 | $450 | $750 |
| Remove and reinstall panels for a re-roof (once, if needed) | $3,500 | $5,000 | $8,000 |
| General repair visit | $250 | $600 | $1,500 |
| Typical 25-year total (one inverter, a few checks and cleanings) | $1,800 | $3,950 | $15,750 |
The 25-year total is a sum of the lines above: one string inverter plus a few checks and cleanings at the typical end; the high end adds one re-roof removal. Microinverter systems usually skip the inverter line while the 20–25 year warranty lasts.
What affects solar panel costs
System size
Bigger systems cost more in total but less per kW: about $3,250 per kW at 4 kW against $2,600 at 15 kW.
Panels and inverters
Premium-efficiency panels cost up to 25% more. Microinverters cost more than one string inverter but usually carry 20–25 year warranties.
The roof
Tile adds $1,000–$2,500, a ground mount $4,000–$10,000. A roof near the end of its life should be replaced before panels go on.
Your city
EnergySage's November 2026 quotes ran from about 13–15% below its US figure in San Antonio, Tucson, Phoenix and Houston to about 17% above in New York City and Boston. Hardware is priced nationally; sales costs, labor and competition are local.
Who sells it
Customer acquisition, mostly sales and marketing, is about 15% of a typical price, and installer profit about 16%. Local installers often quote below national brands.
Incentives and export credits
No federal credit is left for 2026 systems you own. State credits (New York, Hawaii, South Carolina and others), tax exemptions and your utility's export rate now decide the payback.
How to save on solar panel
- Get three quotes.Prices for the same 8 kW system can sit thousands of dollars apart. The panels cost every installer about the same; sales costs and margins are where bids differ.
- Compare price per kW.Divide each quote by its size. About $2,300–$2,800 per kW is a good price for standard panels on an 8 kW system.
- Size on your bills.Use 12 months of kWh. Oversizing only pays where your utility credits exports at the full rate.
- Fix the roof first.Removing and reinstalling panels later costs $3,500–$8,000.
- Bundle the extras.A panel upgrade or battery in the same job shares the permit, the inspection and the utility visit.
- Check state and utility programs.New York, Hawaii, South Carolina, Massachusetts and Arizona still list state credits, and many utilities run rebates. Look before you sign.
Get two real quotes
Local solar installers · free · max 2 will contact you · no spam.
Solar Panel Cost in the USA by System Size
A 6 kW system is $14,450–$22,700, 8 kW is $18,350–$28,900, 10 kW is $22,300–$35,100 and 12–13 kW is $26,550–$44,550, installed with standard panels before incentives.
Worked example: a home using about 970 kWh a month gets an 8 kW system at $22,400. With a 100-amp panel it adds an upgrade at $2,500, for $24,900. Add a Powerwall 3 in the same job and the total is about $38,900.
At average US sun, that 8 kW system makes about 11,600 kWh a year. At 16 cents a kWh, that is about $1,850 a year, a simple payback near 12 years with full export credit and no federal credit.
What a solar panel quote should include
A real solar quote answers all of these. If it answers fewer than six, ask before you pay a deposit.
- System size in kW and expected output in kWh a year
- Panel and inverter brand and model
- Price per kW and the total before incentives
- Roof work, tile or ground-mount extras as separate lines
- Any panel upgrade, priced as its own line
- Permit, inspection and utility hookup, and who files them
- Warranties: panels, inverter, workmanship and roof leaks
- Payment schedule and what happens if the utility hookup is delayed
- Which incentives the price assumes, and the installer's license number
Solar cost: FAQ
How much do solar panels cost in 2026?
$18,350–$28,900 installed for an 8 kW home system with standard panels, with $22,400 typical. A 10 kW system runs $22,300–$35,100. These prices carry no federal credit.
Is there still a federal solar tax credit?
Not for systems you own. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for expenditures made after December 31, 2025, under the July 4, 2025 tax law. The IRS treats the expense as made when installation is complete, so a system finished in 2026 does not qualify even if you paid in 2025.
What is the average cost per kW for solar?
About $2,800 per kW for an 8 kW system with standard panels, within $2,300–$3,600. Small systems cost more per kW, large ones less.
How much does solar with a battery cost?
About $29,300–$46,500 for 8 kW of panels plus a Tesla Powerwall 3. A 5 kWh battery adds $5,500–$8,500; a 10–13 kWh battery $9,000–$17,000.
How long does solar take to pay for itself?
About 6–16 years for a typical 8 kW system at 12–30 cents a kWh, with exports credited at the full rate. Lower export credits stretch it.
How much does it cost to replace a solar inverter?
$1,500–$3,500 for a string inverter, which often needs replacing once in 10–15 years. One microinverter out of warranty is about $300–$750.
How much does solar panel cleaning cost?
$150–$500 a visit for most homes, or about $10–$20 a panel. Many roofs never need it; rain does most of the work.
Why does solar cost more in some cities?
Labor, permits, sales costs and competition. In EnergySage's November 2026 quotes, New York City and Boston averaged about 17% above its US figure, and San Antonio, Tucson, Phoenix and Houston about 13–15% below.
Do solar panels need a permit?
Yes, in nearly every US city: a building or electrical permit, an inspection and the utility's approval to connect. A licensed installer should file all of it.
What's the average solar panel price in 2026?
About $22,400 installed for 8 kW, before incentives: the middle of EnergySage's and SolarReviews' 2026 per-watt prices for that size. EnergySage's solar-only quotes were flat from late 2025 to the first half of 2026, at about $2.62 per watt, and about 1% below a year earlier.
Done your research?
Pick your city for local prices, or get two real solar panel quotes now. Free, no spam.