How much do solar panels cost in Boston?
By Our research team · Last verified · Methodology
Most 8 kW solar installs in Boston cost $20,150–$31,700 installed, for 8 kW of standard panels on a typical roof. Most Boston homeowners pay about $24,600; adding a Powerwall 3 brings it to about $39,400.
How we get this data- Typical
- $24,600
- Low end
- $17,000
- High end
- $39,550
Want an exact price for your job?
Tell us the job. Casey checks it by text, then up to 2 local solar installers send you a real quote. Free, no obligation.
Get my fair quote →The typical Boston price is $24,600, 10% above the US typical of $22,400.
Boston's price band
Boston is pricier than 94% of the 195 US metros we price for solar panel work.
An 8 kW system with standard panels is $20,150–$31,700 installed in Boston, about $3,100 per kW at the typical price. A 6 kW system runs $15,850–$24,950 and a 10 kW system $24,500–$38,550. Premium panels add 10–25%.
Boston triple-deckers and older colonials often need a main panel upgrade, and snow load and steep roofs add labor; EnergySage's November 2026 Boston quotes average about 17% above its US figure. Massachusetts lists a 15% state credit up to $1,000, and SMART pays solar owners a fixed adder for 20 years.
Every price here is before incentives, and there is no federal one left for systems you own: the 30% credit ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025, and the IRS treats the expense as made when the install is complete.
Comparing cities, or after the US-wide picture? See the national guide: Solar panel cost in the USA.
$20,150–$31,700 installed in Boston for an 8 kW home solar system with standard panels, typically $24,600 with no federal tax credit in 2026. That is about $3,100 per kW. Verified November 2026. Get free Boston quotes →
- 8 kW system, installed: $20,150–$31,700 ($24,600 typical, about $3,100 per kW)
- 6 kW: $15,850–$24,950; 10 kW: $24,500–$38,550; premium panels add 10–25%
- Battery added with solar: $9,550–$19,600 for 10–13.5 kWh
- No federal tax credit for systems you own installed after December 31, 2025
- About 30 kWh a day from 8 kW at local sun levels; payback near 9 years at full-rate credits
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 42+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Installed prices before any state or utility incentive, and with no federal credit. Boston metro, re-verified November 2026. Battery and inverter hardware is priced nationally, so those lines move less from city to city.
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 kW solar system, standard panelsinstalled | $20,150installed | $24,600 | $31,700 |
| 6 kW solar system, standard panelsinstalled | $15,850installed | $19,350 | $24,950 |
| 6 kW solar system, premium panelsinstalled | $17,450installed | $22,250 | $31,200 |
| 8 kW solar system, premium panelsinstalled | $22,200installed | $28,300 | $39,700 |
| 10 kW solar system, standard panelsinstalled | $24,500installed | $29,850 | $38,550 |
| 10 kW solar system, premium panelsinstalled | $26,950installed | $34,350 | $48,200 |
| 12–13 kW solar system for a large homeinstalled | $29,150installed | $36,800 | $48,950 |
| Price per kW, standard panelsper kW | $2,550per kW | $3,100 | $3,950 |
| 5 kWh battery added with solarinstalled | $5,800installed | $7,400 | $9,000 |
| 10–13 kWh battery added with solarinstalled | $9,550installed | $13,750 | $18,000 |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh), installedinstalled | $12,200installed | $15,600 | $19,600 |
| Hybrid inverter upgrade (battery-ready)installed | $2,650installed | $3,700 | $5,800 |
| String inverter replacementinstalled | $1,600installed | $2,450 | $3,700 |
| Microinverter replacement, one unit (out of warranty)per unit | $320per unit | $490 | $810 |
| Solar panel cleaning (15–25 panels)per visit | $160per visit | $330 | $550 |
| System health check / inspectionper visit | $160per visit | $270 | $380 |
| Remove and reinstall panels for a re-roof (about 20 panels)per job | $3,850per job | $5,500 | $8,800 |
| Critter guard around the array (8–10 kW)installed | $770installed | $1,300 | $1,850 |
| Main panel upgrade for solar (to 200 amps)installed | $1,600installed | $2,700 | $4,850 |
| Monitoring subscription, where chargedper year | $0per year | $120 | $240 |
| Ground mount instead of roof mount (8 kW)extra | $4,400extra | $7,150 | $11,000 |
| Clay or concrete tile roofextra | $1,100extra | $1,900 | $2,750 |
Got it as a PDF or photo? Upload up to 3 quotes and compare →
Get free quotes from up to 2 local solar installers in Boston
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
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 42+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Prices cover the Boston metro and assume a pitched shingle roof in good shape. Older roofs in Dorchester, Roxbury & Mattapan more often need repair first.
Solar panel prices across Boston
The panels cost the same across Boston; the roofs do not. Flat and older roofs in Downtown, South End & Back Bay push labor up, and big simple roofs in Quincy, Lynn & the suburbs keep it down.
Downtown, South End & Back Bay
- 8 kW installed
- $21,350–$34,250 installed
- Typical job
- $16,800–$41,650 / 6–10 kW system
The priciest part of the metro to install in: tight access, older wiring and roofs that may need work first. The panels cost the same; the labor and paperwork do not.
Allston, Brighton & Cambridge
- 8 kW installed
- $19,950–$31,050 installed
- Typical job
- $15,700–$37,800 / 6–10 kW system
Smaller, older houses and many rentals. Owners pay standard metro prices, and small roofs often cap the system at 6 kW or less.
Dorchester, Roxbury & Mattapan
- 8 kW installed
- $20,150–$31,700 installed
- Typical job
- $15,850–$38,550 / 6–10 kW system
Standard pricing for the metro: pitched shingle roofs, average panels and short drives for most installers.
Quincy, Lynn & the suburbs
- 8 kW installed
- $19,750–$31,700 installed
- Typical job
- $15,550–$38,550 / 6–10 kW system
Big roofs and big bills. Larger systems cost less per kW, and this is where most 10–12 kW jobs in the metro are.
Real solar jobs in Boston
Here's what common solar panel jobs cost in Boston in 2026, installed, before incentives.
Smaller home: 6 kW, standard panels
About 23 kWh on an average day at Massachusetts's sun levels. Smaller systems cost more per kW, about $3,250 here against $3,100 for 8 kW.
Typical home: 8 kW, standard panels
About 30 kWh a day and 11,000 kWh a year. $24,600 is the typical Boston price for a pitched shingle roof in good shape.
Solar plus a Powerwall 3
An 8 kW system with a 13.5 kWh battery for outages and evening use. Doing both in one job shares the crew, the permit and the utility paperwork.
Big home or EV owner: 10 kW, premium panels
Premium panels make more power per square foot, which helps on small or shaded roofs. Standard panels at 10 kW are $24,500–$38,550.
Re-roof with solar already on it
Taking about 20 panels off and putting them back after the roofers leave, on top of the roof itself. If your roof has less than 10 years left, replace it before solar goes on.
How much do solar panels cost in Boston?
$20,150–$31,700 installed, with $24,600 the typical Boston price for 8 kW. Only about a third of that is hardware (panels, inverter, racking). The rest is sales, design, permits, labor and profit, and that is the part that changes from one Boston installer to the next.
There is no federal credit to take off these numbers any more. What still cuts the bill in Boston is a second or third quote, the right system size for your actual use, and any state or utility program. Figures re-verified against 42 sources in November 2026.
Solar prices in Boston (2026): the lines on a quote
An 8 kW system is $20,150–$31,700 installed, a battery adds $9,550–$19,600, and a panel upgrade adds $1,600–$4,850 if your panel is full.
| Line on the quote | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 kW system, standard panels | $20,150 | $24,600 | $31,700 |
| 8 kW system, premium panels | $22,200 | $28,300 | $39,700 |
| Tesla Powerwall 3, added at install | $12,200 | $15,600 | $19,600 |
| Main panel upgrade (to 200 amps) | $1,600 | $2,700 | $4,850 |
| Tile roof, extra | $1,100 | $1,900 | $2,750 |
| Ground mount, extra | $4,400 | $7,150 | $11,000 |
| Critter guard | $770 | $1,300 | $1,850 |
| String inverter replacement (later) | $1,600 | $2,450 | $3,700 |
Standard vs premium panels in Boston: the gap on 8 kW is about $3,700. Premium panels pay off on small or shaded roofs where you need more power per square foot; on a big sunny roof, standard panels are the better buy.
What moves a solar quote in Boston:
- System size — bigger systems cost less per kW: about $3,250 at 6 kW against $3,000 at 10 kW.
- Panel and inverter brand — premium panels run 10–25% more; microinverters cost more than one string inverter but last longer.
- The roof — tile adds $1,100–$2,750, a ground mount $4,400–$11,000, and a worn roof should be replaced first.
- The electrical panel — a full or 100-amp panel can add $1,600–$4,850 for an upgrade.
- Who sells it — sales and marketing are about 15% of a typical price; local installers often quote less than national brands.
Ask every Boston installer for the same five things: system size in kW, panel and inverter models, the price per kW, the warranty terms, and what roof, panel and permit work is included. Compare those lines, not the total. Get a quote for your solar install →
Solar Panel Cost in Boston by System Size
A 6 kW system is $15,850–$24,950, 8 kW is $20,150–$31,700, and 10 kW is $24,500–$38,550, installed with standard panels, before any state or utility incentive.
Worked example: a Boston home using about 910 kWh a month gets an 8 kW system at $24,600. If the panel is 100 amps, add an upgrade at $2,700 for $27,300. Add a Powerwall 3 in the same job and the total is about $42,100.
A larger home with central AC or an EV may need 10–12 kW: $29,850 for 10 kW, or $36,800 for 12–13 kW at typical prices. Premium panels on 10 kW run $26,950–$48,200.
Boston Solar Panel Costs by System Size
| System size | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4 kW system — about 15 kWh a day | $11,750–$18,500 installed | Small home or condo; low bills or a small roof |
| 6 kW system — about 23 kWh a day | $15,850–$24,950 installed | Smaller home or modest power use |
| 8 kW system — about 30 kWh a day | $20,150–$31,700 installed | Typical home; about 910 kWh a month of use |
| 10 kW system — about 38 kWh a day | $24,500–$38,550 installed | Larger home, central AC or one EV |
| 12 kW system — about 45 kWh a day | $29,150–$45,900 installed | Big home, pool or electric heat |
| 15 kW system — about 56 kWh a day | $35,200–$55,350 installed | Very large all-electric home or two EVs |
| 8 kW solar + 13.5 kWh battery | $31,750–$50,300 installed | Backup in outages and evening use where exports earn little |
| 13.5 kWh battery only (no solar) | $12,200–$19,600 installed | Backup without panels; shaded roofs |
Hardware vs everything else: where a Boston solar quote goes
Panels, inverter, racking and wiring are only about 41% of a typical US solar price. On a $24,600 Boston job that is roughly $10,100. Sales and marketing take about 15%, design, paperwork and overhead about 20%, installer profit about 16%, and the install labor itself only about 6%.
That is why the payback math matters more than the panel brand. An 8 kW system here makes about 11,000 kWh a year. At Massachusetts's 2024 average of 23.9 cents a kWh across all customers (EIA; home rates usually run higher), that power is worth about $2,650 a year, a simple payback near 9 years. That assumes your utility credits exports at the full rate; lower export credits stretch it, and higher home rates shorten it.
What's included in a Boston solar quote (and what costs extra)
A standard quote covers the panels, inverter, racking, wiring, the install crew, permits, inspection and the utility hookup paperwork. The headline price often leaves out:
- Roof work — repairs, or $1,100–$2,750 extra for a tile roof
- Panel upgrade — $1,600–$4,850 if your electrical panel is full or 100 amps
- Critter guard — $770–$1,850 to keep birds and squirrels out from under the panels
- A battery — $9,550–$19,600 for 10–13.5 kWh of storage, if you want backup
Get the warranty terms in writing: panel and inverter years, the workmanship warranty, and who fixes roof leaks around the mounts.
What's local
Boston triple-deckers and older colonials often need a main panel upgrade, and snow load and steep roofs add labor; EnergySage's November 2026 Boston quotes average about 17% above its US figure. Massachusetts lists a 15% state credit up to $1,000, and SMART pays solar owners a fixed adder for 20 years.
System size
An 8 kW system is $20,150–$31,700. A 6 kW system is $15,850–$24,950 and 10 kW $24,500–$38,550; the price per kW drops as the system grows.
Panels and inverters
Premium panels add 10–25% ($22,200–$39,700 for 8 kW). Microinverters cost more upfront than one string inverter but usually carry 20–25 year warranties; a string inverter often needs replacing once ($1,600–$3,700).
Your roof
Clay or concrete tile adds $1,100–$2,750, a ground mount $4,400–$11,000. If the roof has less than about 10 years left, re-roof first: removing and reinstalling panels later costs $3,850–$8,800.
Your electrical panel
A full or 100-amp panel is a common surprise. Upgrading to 200 amps adds $1,600–$4,850 in Boston, and it is cheapest done with the solar job.
Adding a battery
A 10–13 kWh battery adds $9,550–$18,000, a Tesla Powerwall 3 $12,200–$19,600. Batteries make the most sense where outages are common or exports earn little.
Permits and the utility in Boston
Permits and inspections are about 3% of a typical price, and the utility must approve the hookup before you can switch on. Ask who files the paperwork; a good installer does all of it.
- Get three quotes.Same panels, different sales costs. Boston quotes for 8 kW run $20,150–$31,700; a second and third bid is the fastest way to find the padding.
- Compare the price per kW.Divide each quote by its size in kW. About $2,550–$3,100 per kW is a good Boston price for standard panels; much above $3,950 needs a reason.
- Size it to your bills, not your roof.Use 12 months of bills. A system that makes more than you use only pays off if your utility credits exports well.
- Fix the roof first.Re-roofing under existing panels means paying $3,850–$8,800 to take them off and put them back.
- Bundle the panel and battery work.A panel upgrade ($1,600–$4,850) or a battery done in the same job shares the permit, the inspection and the utility visit.
- Check state and utility help.Massachusetts lists a 15% state solar tax credit up to $1,000, SMART payments for 20 years and a 20-year property tax exemption (state incentive guides, November 2026). Ask your utility about rebates and how it credits exports before you sign.
Before you pay a deposit to a Boston solar installer, get these in writing:
- System size in kW and the 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, priced as their own lines
- Any panel upgrade, priced as its own line
- Permit, inspection and utility interconnection, and who files them
- Warranties: panels, inverter, workmanship and roof leaks
- Payment schedule, and what happens if the utility hookup is delayed
How much do solar panels cost in Boston?
$20,150–$31,700 installed for an 8 kW system, and $24,600 is typical. A 6 kW system is $15,850–$24,950 and 10 kW is $24,500–$38,550, before incentives.
What is the price per kW for solar in Boston?
About $3,100 per kW for an 8 kW system with standard panels, within $2,550–$3,950. Smaller systems cost more per kW and larger ones less.
Is there still a federal solar tax credit in Boston?
Not for systems you buy. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for expenditures made after December 31, 2025, and the IRS treats the expense as made when installation is complete. Lease and PPA companies may still claim a business credit and pass some of it on in their price.
How much does solar with a battery cost in Boston?
About $31,750–$50,300 for 8 kW of panels plus a Tesla Powerwall 3. A 10–13 kWh battery from another brand adds $9,550–$18,000 to the solar price.
How long does solar take to pay off in Boston?
Roughly 9 years for a typical 8 kW system at Massachusetts's 2024 average power price from EIA (23.9 cents a kWh across all customers), with every kWh worth the full price. That assumes your utility credits exports at the full rate; lower export credits stretch it, and higher home rates shorten it.
How much power will an 8 kW system make in Boston?
About 30 kWh on an average day, or 11,000 kWh a year, based on about 4.7 peak sun hours a day for Massachusetts in NREL data.
Do I need a new electrical panel for solar in Boston?
Not always. Many 200-amp panels take solar as they are. A full or 100-amp panel may need an upgrade, about $1,600–$4,850 here.
What does solar panel cleaning and upkeep cost in Boston?
Cleaning is $160–$550 a visit and a health check $160–$380. Many roofs never need cleaning; rain does most of it. Budget $1,600–$3,700 for one string inverter replacement over the life of the system.
How much does it cost to remove solar panels for a new roof in Boston?
$3,850–$8,800 to take about 20 panels off and put them back, on top of the roof itself.
What permits does solar need in Boston?
A building or electrical permit, an inspection, and the utility's approval to connect. Your installer should file all of it; permits and inspections are about 3% of a typical price.
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 42+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Prices for the Boston metro area, November 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
Get a fair solar panel quote in Boston
Local solar installers · Free quotes · No obligation, no spam.