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Home solar in the US costs about $2.60 per watt installed in 2026. That puts a typical 7 kW system at around $18,300 and the average 12 kW system at around $31,100, before any state or utility incentives. The 30% federal tax credit for homeowners who buy their system ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so those are now close to your real out-of-pocket numbers.

Quick answer

Average price: about $2.60 per watt installed (range roughly $2.30 to $3.80 depending on state).
Typical 7 kW system: about $18,300.
Average 12 kW system: about $31,100 (most quotes fall between $27,500 and $33,900).
Federal credit: gone for homeowner-owned systems placed in service in 2026 or later.
Typical payback: around 10 to 11 years at the 2026 average electricity rate, sooner in high-rate states.

How much does solar cost by system size?

Bigger systems cost more in total but less per watt, because permits, design, and labor are spread over more panels. These are average installed prices from quotes on the EnergySage marketplace, before incentives.

System size	Cost per watt	Total installed cost
4 kW	$2.89	$11,560
5 kW	$2.78	$13,900
6 kW	$2.68	$16,080
7 kW	$2.62	$18,340
8 kW	$2.62	$20,960
9 kW	$2.57	$23,130
10 kW	$2.58	$25,800
11 kW	$2.59	$28,490
12 kW	$2.56	$30,720
13 kW	$2.52	$32,760
14 kW	$2.54	$35,560
15 kW	$2.47	$37,050

Source: EnergySage marketplace data, updated June 2026. Prices exclude batteries.

How much does solar cost for my size of home?

Your electric bill matters more than your square footage, but home size is a useful starting point. The table below uses typical usage for each home size and the $2.60 per watt average. Treat it as a rough estimate, not a quote.

Home size	Typical system	Estimated cost
1,000 sq ft	4–5 kW	$10,400–$13,000
1,500 sq ft	6–7 kW	$15,600–$18,200
2,000 sq ft	7–9 kW	$18,200–$23,400
2,500 sq ft	9–11 kW	$23,400–$28,600
3,000 sq ft	11–13 kW	$28,600–$33,800

Our estimates. Homes with electric heat, a pool, or an EV need larger systems.

What is the solar panel cost per square foot?

There are two ways people ask this. Per square foot of home, solar typically works out to about $9 to $13. Per square foot of panel area, it is about $50 installed: a 400-watt panel covers roughly 21 square feet, which is about 19 watts per square foot, and 19 × $2.60 ≈ $49. Use the second number if you are checking whether your roof has enough room for a quote.

What changed in 2026: the federal tax credit ended

The 30% federal tax credit for homeowner-owned systems ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. On a $18,340 system, that is about $5,500 you no longer get back. State rebates, utility programs, and property tax exemptions may still apply; see solar rebates and tax credits in 2026 for what is left, including how 2025 installs and leases are handled.

What drives the price of solar panels?

System size. More watts cost more in total, but less per watt.
Your state and installer. Labor rates, permit fees, and competition vary widely.
Equipment. Premium panels and microinverters cost more than standard panels with a string inverter.
Roof. Steep, tile, or multi-angle roofs take longer to install. A roof that needs replacing should be fixed first.
Electrical upgrades. An older main panel may need a $1,500 to $3,000 upgrade.
Batteries. Adding home battery storage typically adds $10,000 or more.
Financing. Some solar loans include a hidden dealer fee of 15% to 30% baked into the price.

How much does solar cost in different states?

Price per watt can vary by more than $1.50 between states. A few examples from 2026 marketplace data:

State	Cost per watt	Average system cost
Arizona	$2.27	$30,408
California	$2.52	$21,200
Tennessee	$3.50	$48,232
Alabama	$3.82	$54,701

Source: EnergySage, 2026. Average system cost reflects the typical system size in each state, which is why Arizona’s total is higher than California’s despite a lower price per watt.

How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?

Here is the math for a typical 7 kW system bought in cash in 2026, with no federal credit:

Yearly production: 7 kW × about 1,350 kWh per kW = about 9,450 kWh a year.
Yearly savings: 9,450 kWh × $0.182 (the 2026 US average residential rate) ≈ $1,720.
Payback: $18,340 ÷ $1,720 ≈ 10.7 years.

Panels usually carry 25-year warranties, so a 10- to 11-year payback leaves about 14 years of near-free power. Your result will be faster if you pay more than 18¢ per kWh or live somewhere sunny, and slower if your utility pays little for the power you send back to the grid. Production ranges from about 1,100 kWh per kW in the cloudy Northeast to 1,700 in the Southwest.

How do you get a fair solar quote?

Get at least three quotes. Prices for the same home often differ by thousands of dollars.
Compare cost per watt, not total price. Divide each quote’s total by its system size in watts. Anything well above $3.00 in a mid-priced state deserves a question.
Ask for the cash price. If the loan price is higher, the difference is a dealer fee.
Check the production estimate. Make sure it uses your roof’s actual shading and direction.
Read the warranty terms. Look for 25 years on panels and at least 10 years on workmanship.

Frequently asked questions

Is solar still worth it without the federal tax credit?

For many homes, yes. Payback is now closer to 10 to 11 years at average rates instead of 7 to 8, but it is still well inside a 25-year panel warranty. It makes the most sense where electricity is expensive and net metering is fair.

How much does a single solar panel cost?

A 400-watt residential panel on its own typically sells for about $200 to $400. Installed as part of a system, the all-in cost is about $1,000 per panel, because labor, inverters, racking, wiring, and permits make up most of the price.

Will solar prices drop in 2027?

No one knows for sure. Panel prices have been fairly flat, while tariffs and the end of the federal credit could push installers either way. Waiting usually costs you a year of savings, which for a typical system is about $1,700.

Do solar panels raise your property taxes?

In many states, no. Over 30 states offer a property tax exemption for solar. Check with your county assessor.

More US solar cost guides

Solar power calculator: find your system size and cost in under a minute.
Solar rebates and tax credits in 2026: what is left after the federal credit ended.
Is solar energy expensive? A 25-year cost breakdown.
Solar loans explained: rates, dealer fees, and loan vs lease.
Solar panels in Texas and solar panels in California: state costs and incentives.
How many solar panels for a 1,500 sq ft house?
Solar batteries: what adding storage costs.

Sources

EnergySage: How much do solar panels cost? (updated June 2026)
US Energy Information Administration: Short-Term Energy Outlook, electricity (October 2026)
IRS: Residential Clean Energy Credit

Last updated: October 2026. Prices are averages before incentives and will vary with your home, location, and installer. This article is for information only and is not tax or financial advice.