Solar System Price Range

If you just need a few panels for a small do-it-yourself solar project, expect to pay around $200 to $350 per panel (between $0.80 and $1.40 per watt). Note: The table below doesn't include the cost of a solar storage battery, which can add anywhere from $7,000 to $18,000 to your total solar system costs.

Comparatively, our team found an average cost per watt of $3.10 based on our survey responses. Note that system pricing can vary based on the solar panel and equipment brand, installer, location and more. The table below shows typical prices of solar panel systems ranging from 4 kW to 8 kW in size based on the SEIA cost figures.

Take control of your energy costs with solar power. Solar panels generate “free” electricity, but installing a system still costs money. A typical American household needs a 10-kilowatt (kW) system to adequately power their home, which costs $28,241 in 2025.

Inverter: A solar inverter converts the generated DC electricity into AC electricity that can be used to power your home. The cost of an inverter depends on its size and efficiency, but these devices typically cost between $1,000 and $3,000. Mounting system: This is what holds rooftop solar panels in place.

Our survey data also found that New Mexico has some of the cheapest solar panel costs in the U.S., with an average price of $9,996 after using the federal solar tax credit. Solar panel pricing is the most expensive in Massachusetts, where estimated costs are around $18,900 after the tax credit.

Solar panels require very little upkeep. If you're able to clean the solar panels yourself, the only maintenance cost will be the water used to hose them down. If you hire a professional to clean your solar panels, it will cost around $100 to $350, on average.