Solar Panel Installation Cost Calculator

Installing solar panels on an average house costs about $15,000 to $30,000 before incentives in 2026, which is roughly $2.50 to $3.50 per watt. A small 6 kW system runs about $12,000 to $21,000 and a large 12 kW system about $22,000 to $40,000. Roof complexity and battery storage raise the price.

Installed solar costs about $2.50 to $3.50 per watt in 2026 before incentives. Multiply by the system size in watts: an 8 kW system is 8,000 watts, so about $20,000 to $28,000 before incentives. Larger systems cost less per watt.

Adding battery storage raises the total to roughly $25,000 to $50,000 for a typical home system. Batteries often add $10,000 or more, and the right size depends on whether you want whole-home backup or only critical circuits.

A home solar system costs about $15,000 to $30,000, or $2.50 to $3.50 per watt. The 30 percent federal homeowner tax credit ended for systems installed after 2025, so check state and utility incentives, which vary widely.

Often, but it takes longer than it did with the federal credit. Payback depends on your electricity rate, how much of your usage the system covers, and state or utility incentives; in high-rate states it can still be well under the 25-plus year panel life.

Owned solar panels generally add value and can help a home sell faster, since buyers inherit lower energy bills. Leased systems are more complicated and can complicate a sale.

Not for homeowners who buy a system. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act ended the 30 percent residential clean energy credit (IRC 25D) for expenditures after December 31, 2025. Solar leases and power purchase agreements can still carry a commercial credit through the installer, and many states and utilities keep their own rebates.