How much will solar panels cost to install on your specific home in 2021?
Updated
The cost to install solar panels on your specific home in September 2021 will vary depending on your location, your energy usage, the brands of equipment chosen, and whether it is a DIY installation or a job done by a professional solar company.
Since more than 95% of homeowners choose to go with a reputable local solar company, our solar calculator below shows estimates for professionally-installed systems in your area.
| System size | Number of solar panels* | Average cost per watt | Average total cost (after tax credit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | 11 | $3.25 | $9,620 |
| 6 kW | 17 | $2.95 | $13,098 |
| 8 kW | 23 | $2.85 | $16,872 |
| 10 kW | 29 | $2.75 | $20,350 |
| 12 kW | 34 | $2.75 | $24,420 |
| 14 kW | 40 | $2.60 | $26,936 |
| 16 kW | 43 | $2.60 | $28,860 |
*Based on 350-watt panels
What is the cost of a solar panel installation for an average 2,000 square foot home today?
The average cost of a residential solar panel installation in 2021 ranges between $18,000 and $20,000, before applying tax credits or other incentives that may be available where you live. This works out to between $2.75 and $3.35 per watt of solar installed, depending on your location and the brands of solar equipment used.
Once you take the federal solar tax credit into account, the overall cost drops to an average of between $13,320 and $14,800 - that’s almost 80% lower than the cost of solar 10 years ago! Our solar panel cost and savings calculator will show you local incentives you may be eligible for to help lower the upfront costs.
Factors that affect solar panel installation costs
1. Solar system size
The size of a solar panel system will play a major role in how much the installation will cost. Before we get into system size, let’s go over a few key terms that will make understanding solar system size a little easier.
Solar system size is measured in kilowatts (kW), which tells you the maximum amount of power the solar panels will deliver under perfect conditions.
1 kW is equal to 1,000 watts (W). Solar system size is typically measured in kW. A kilowatt hour (kWh) is a measure of the amount of kilowatts used in one hour. Or to put it simply, kWh measures how much electricity your panels produce and your home uses.
The size of the solar energy system you need will depend on how many kWh of electricity your home uses and by how much you want to reduce your electric bill. The higher your energy usage, the bigger the system you need to cover your electric bill, which means your solar installation will be more expensive.
But, the cost-per-watt of larger systems is often lower because the equipment can be purchased at a bulk price, and other overhead costs will be spread out over a larger system.
2. Your location
The location of your home affects solar pricing in a few ways:
- How sunny your area is: The less sunlight your home gets, the more panels you need to cover your energy needs, and the higher the price you’ll have to pay
- State and local incentives: The 26% federal solar tax credit, also called the Investment Tax Credit or ITC, greatly reduces solar installation prices, but there is also a variety of state and local solar rebates and tax incentives that can help lower costs. You can read more about what incentives you qualify for in our State Solar Incentive Guide
- Market conditions: Local competition between installers, job volumes, cost of business overhead, labor costs, and different state and local policies can dictate solar panel cost
The following table outlines the average prices you can expect to see in different states based on these factors:
Table 2: Average cost of 6 kW solar system by state
| State | Average cost per watt | Cost of 6 kW system (after tax credit) |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $2.45 | $10,878 |
| Alaska | $2.41 | $10,700 |
| Arizona | $2.64 | $11,722 |
| Arkansas | $2.63 | $11,677 |
| California | $2.68 | $11,899 |
| Colorado | $2.51 | $11,144 |
| Connecticut | $2.86 | $12,698 |
| District of Columbia | $2.88 | $12,787 |
| Delaware | $2.65 | $11,766 |
| Florida | $2.58 | $11,455 |
| Georgia | $2.33 | $10,345 |
| Hawaii | $2.67 | $11,855 |
| Idaho | $2.52 | $11,189 |
| Illinois | $2.57 | $11,411 |
| Indiana | $2.49 | $11,056 |
| Iowa | $2.53 | $11,233 |
| Kansas | $2.39 | $10,612 |
| Kentucky | $2.34 | $10,390 |
| Louisiana | $2.38 | $10,567 |
| Maine | $2.87 | $12,743 |
| Maryland | $2.74 | $12,166 |
| Massachusetts | $2.87 | $12,743 |
| Michigan | $2.66 | $11,810 |
| Minnesota | $2.74 | $12,166 |
| Mississippi | $2.64 | $11,722 |
| Missouri | $2.59 | $11,500 |
| Montana | $2.42 | $10,745 |
| Nebraska | $2.83 | $12,565 |
| Nevada | $2.61 | $11,588 |
| New Hampshire | $2.83 | $12,565 |
| New Jersey | $2.78 | $12,343 |
| New Mexico | $2.44 | $10,834 |
| New York | $2.86 | $12,698 |
| North Carolina | $2.49 | $11,056 |
| North Dakota | $2.42 | $10,745 |
| Ohio | $2.50 | $11,100 |
| Oklahoma | $2.62 | $11,633 |
| Oregon | $2.50 | $11,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $2.38 | $10,567 |
| Rhode Island | $2.69 | $11,944 |
| South Carolina | $2.62 | $11,633 |
| South Dakota | $2.39 | $10,612 |
| Tennessee | $2.49 | $11,056 |
| Texas | $2.77 | $12,299 |
| Utah | $2.66 | $11,810 |
| Vermont | $2.85 | $12,654 |
| Virginia | $2.66 | $11,810 |
| Washington | $2.77 | $12,299 |
| West Virginia | $2.64 | $11,722 |
| Wisconsin | $2.60 | $11,544 |
| Wyoming | $2.57 | $11,411 |
3. Equipment type and manufacturer
Like most things, the brand dictates the price with solar. Panels from certain solar manufacturers are more expensive than others, and that doesn’t always mean they’re that much better in terms of performance.
For instance, Jinko Solar’s panels are much cheaper than premium brands like SunPower but have almost the same specifications and great customer reviews.
The following table outlines the cost of some of the most popular residential solar panel brands on the market:
| Panel manufacturer | Average cost per watt | Average system cost (after tax credit) |
|---|---|---|
| LG Solar | $2.84 | $12,610 |
| Panasonic | $2.87 | $12,743 |
| SunPower | $2.85 | $12,654 |
| Canadian Solar | $2.87 | $12,743 |
| LONGi Solar | $2.85 | $12,654 |
The solar panel brand isn’t the only thing that influences the price. The other equipment used in a residential solar system, like the type of inverter you use, will also impact the installation cost. Microinverters, for example, cost more than string inverters but they can lead to higher electricity production.
The type of solar panels you install can also influence the price, but only slightly. Most solar panel systems are installed with monocrystalline solar panels, but some homeowners may choose polycrystalline panels to save a bit on the upfront costs. You can get a better idea of the different types of solar panels here.
The racking system installed will also change how much the installation costs. If you live somewhere that experiences heavy snow or hurricanes, you might need a more durable racking setup, which will bump up the price.
What is the right price for a solar panel installation?
The SolarReviews Editorial team believes a fair price for a professionally-installed solar system in 2021 is between $2.60 per watt and $3.20 per watt.
If you are being charged more than that, there are probably better offers available. However, if you are paying less than $2.60 per watt, you may run the risk of getting a low-quality installation or sub-par customer service. Not only that, solar companies that charge such low prices probably won’t be able to earn enough money off of their sales to offer you the customer support you need for the 25-year lifespan of your solar panels.
Above all, you want to go with a solar company that has a good reputation and will be around for the long haul.
Solar battery costs
Adding energy storage to a solar power system will add a minimum of around $10,000 to the installation cost. That’s a decent chunk of money, but the good news is that solar batteries are covered by the solar tax credit and you may even qualify for additional battery incentives in your state.
When you consider the federal tax credit, a solar panel system paired with battery storage will cost an average of $21,000. The actual cost of installing a battery will vary depending on the battery manufacturer and how many batteries you choose to install.
Despite being expensive, solar batteries like the Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem are becoming increasingly popular as widespread power outages are now more common than ever. Batteries are also becoming a popular addition in areas with Time-of-Use electricity rates, as they allow homeowners to save more on their electricity bills.
But for most homeowners, solar batteries are more of a luxury than they are a necessity.
How can you find the right solar installation company?
At SolarReviews, we recommend going with a reputable local solar installer. Generally, you’ll want the installer to meet these requirements:
- Been in business for over 5 years
- Hires their own installation crew
- Has between 15 and 20 employees
- At least one NABCEP-certified installer
But remember, you also want to make sure the company is charging a fair price for their services. If it’s too cheap, you might have to worry about a shoddy installation or low-quality equipment. If it’s too expensive, you might be paying an extra premium for no added benefits.
You need to find a happy medium of a solid price from a trusted company that uses high-quality materials. The best way to connect with companies in your area is by using our state-of-the-art solar calculator, which will not only give you a detailed cost and savings estimate catered to your specific home, but will also put you in contact with our vetted solar installers.
Learn more: Guide to the top-rated solar installers in your area
Calculating how much solar panels will cost for your specific home given its location and electricity use
Our solar panel calculator is the easiest way to determine the costs and savings of a solar panel installation for your specific home.
All you need is your address and the value of your monthly electric bill, and our solar calculator will determine your local utility company’s electricity rates and how much power you use in order to tell you:
- How many solar panels you need to power your home
- How much your solar panels will cost
- How much your solar panels will save you
Are solar panels worth the investment?
Thanks to the lower-than-ever cost of solar panels and various solar incentives, solar panels are a cost-effective investment for the majority of homeowners that will provide an excellent return on investment.
Not only do they lower your energy bills, but you also get to power your home with clean renewable energy and reduce your dependence on your local utility company.
Even though spending up to $20,000 is daunting, federal incentives eliminate 26% of solar system costs after 1 year. There are also various ways to finance a solar system - from solar loans and leases to PPAs - so you can pick whichever option that works best for you.
Plus, solar panels provide significant utility bill savings in most areas. An average home solar panel system can save between $1,000 and $1,600 per year on electricity bills depending on the state’s net metering policy and the home’s energy consumption.
Actual solar savings will depend on the system size, the cost of electricity, home energy usage, and what net metering policies are in place, but the average solar homeowner can expect their solar payback period to be between 8 and 11 years. After that, they’ll be enjoying completely free solar electricity for at least 15 more years!
If you’re still not convinced, you can use our solar panel calculator to find out how much solar costs and can save you for your specific home based on your average electric usage and prices in your area.
Andrew Sendy
Home Solar Journalist
Andy is deeply concerned about climate change but is also concerned about cost of living pressures on American families. He advocates for solar energy and solar battery storage only to the extent that they make financial sense for homeowners. He is not affiliated with any particular solar company in the United States.