System size
A recommended kilowatt range based on estimated electricity usage and local production.
Solar numbers without the sales pitch
Know what solar could cost before you call an installer.
Estimate system size, installation cost, incentives, savings and payback with a transparent calculator built for homeowners—not sales teams.
✓ Results before contact details✓ Assumptions shown✓ State-aware estimates
Free preliminary estimate
What could solar cost for your home?
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See how we calculated it →How much do solar panels cost?
A typical 8 kW home solar system costs roughly $20,000–$26,800 installed in 2026 — about 19 panels at 425 watts each — based on a national range of $2.50–$3.35 per watt before incentives. That system produces around 11,200 kWh a year and saves about $1,661 in year one at average US electricity prices, for a simple payback near 12–16 years.
There is no federal tax credit in those numbers. The 30% residential credit (Section 25D) ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025 — so any quote still applying it to a 2026 purchase is overstating your savings by thousands of dollars. State and utility programs are now the entire incentive picture.
Costs vary widely by state: installed price per watt, sunshine, electricity rates and export rules all move the result. Spread across a 25-year life, home solar works out to roughly 7.6¢–10.2¢ per kilowatt-hour.
One estimate, explained
The five numbers that make solar easier to evaluate
Gross cost
A low-to-high installation range instead of a suspiciously precise teaser price.
Incentive reality
No phantom 30% federal credit — it ended for 2026 installs. We say so, and point to real state programs.
Annual savings
An estimate based on electricity displaced and conservative export value.
Payback
A range showing how long estimated savings could take to cover net cost.
Assumptions
The rates, production, panel wattage and other inputs behind every result.
Built for clarity
A useful estimate should show its work.
Solar economics depend on location, utility rates, roof conditions, equipment and incentives. We surface those assumptions so you know where the estimate is strong—and where a site visit is still necessary.
Read the methodology →3 scenarios
Low, expected and high ranges instead of false precision.
0 phone gates
Your full result appears before we ever ask for contact details. Talking to an installer is opt-in, afterwards.
Versioned assumptions
The calculator can evolve as rates, incentives and source data change.
Explore locally
Solar costs by state
CA
Solar cost in California
Rates, production and preliminary cost assumptions.
TXSolar cost in Texas
Rates, production and preliminary cost assumptions.
FLSolar cost in Florida
Rates, production and preliminary cost assumptions.
NYSolar cost in New York
Rates, production and preliminary cost assumptions.
AZSolar cost in Arizona
Rates, production and preliminary cost assumptions.
MASolar cost in Massachusetts
Rates, production and preliminary cost assumptions.
NJSolar cost in New Jersey
Rates, production and preliminary cost assumptions.
COSolar cost in Colorado
Rates, production and preliminary cost assumptions.
PASolar cost in Pennsylvania
Rates, production and preliminary cost assumptions.
NCSolar cost in North Carolina
Rates, production and preliminary cost assumptions.
What your state pays
Solar incentives by state
With no federal credit on a 2026 purchase, a state tax credit, rebate or SREC market is the only incentive money left — and it varies enormously. Start with your state.
Common questions
Solar costs, answered plainly
How much do solar panels cost in 2026?
A typical 8 kW home solar system costs roughly $20,000–$26,800 installed before incentives, based on a national assumed range of $2.50–$3.35 per watt. That is about 19 panels at 425 watts each. Cost per watt varies by state, system size and roof complexity — smaller systems generally cost more per watt.
Is there still a 30% federal solar tax credit?
No. The 30% federal residential clean energy credit (Section 25D) ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Purchased residential systems installed in 2026 receive no federal credit. Leased and PPA systems may still benefit indirectly, because the system owner can claim the commercial 48E credit through 2027.
How much do solar panels save per year?
An 8 kW system producing about 11,200 kWh a year saves roughly $1,661 in year one at average US electricity prices — a simple payback of about 12–16 years. Savings depend heavily on your electricity rate and on what your utility pays for exported power.
How much does solar cost per kWh?
Roughly 7.6¢–10.2¢ per kilowatt-hour over a 25-year system life, versus a US average retail price near 18.0¢. In sunnier states the same installed cost spreads across more output, lowering the figure.
Do I have to give my phone number to get an estimate?
No. Our calculator returns system size, cost range, savings and payback without requiring a phone number or email address. After your result is on screen you can optionally ask to be matched with local installers — that is entirely your choice, and the estimate stays visible either way.
How does What Solar Costs make money?
Installers pay us when a homeowner chooses to request quotes after seeing their estimate. Homeowners never pay, and nothing is gated behind contact details. Our published assumptions and state data do not change based on who is paying — see our methodology for every figure we use.