Solar system prices

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.

However, the cost per square foot varies based on the size of the home and unique variables found in every installation. For example, the post-tax credit cost of solar panels for a 2,500-square-foot home is around $20,000 for a rate of $7.96 per square foot. But how much do solar panels cost for a 1,500-square-foot home?

The price per watt for larger and relatively straightforward projects are often within the $3-$4 range. Claiming incentives like tax credits and rebates can bring the PPW even lower. However, the following factors may push your solar price per watt into the $4 to $5 range.

The solar price for commercial projects varies based on system size, location, energy needs, and available incentives. Unlike residential solar, commercial solar pricing benefits from economies of scale, resulting in a lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).

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.

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.