Solar Panel Cost Calculator
How Much Will Solar Panels Cost for Your Home?
Get a real installed-cost range for residential solar in 2026, based on your state, system size, and equipment choices. We use post-2025 pricing. The federal residential tax credit ended December 31, 2025.
Estimated installed cost (before incentives)
$0 to $0
Mid-range: $0 · $0.00 per watt
System size
0 kW
DC rating
Panel count
0
at 0W each
Annual production
0 kWh
estimated yr 1
Cost breakdown (mid-range)
Percentages from NREL Q1 2024 U.S. Solar PV Cost Benchmark (residential, 7.15 kW reference system).
| Panels (modules) | PV modules and shipping | $0 |
| Inverter system | String inverter | $0 |
| Racking and structural | Roof rails, hardware | $0 |
| Electrical balance | Wiring, conduit, disconnects, breakers | $0 |
| Direct install labor | On-site crew and electricians | $0 |
| Permits and interconnection | Standard | $0 |
| Sales and customer acquisition | Lead generation, sales commission | $0 |
| Engineering and design | Site survey, system design, plan set | $0 |
| Overhead, margin, and contingency | Installer overhead and profit | $0 |
| Total (mid-range) | $0 |
Net cost after state and local incentives
$0
No state-level incentives applied.
Pay over time, roughly
Solar loan, 12 yrs at 7.99% APR$0/mo
Solar loan, 20 yrs at 8.49% APR$0/mo
HELOC, 15 yrs at 9.50% APR$0/mo
Rates illustrative. Real offers depend on credit and lender. Try the Solar Loan Calculator for your numbers.
Important tax note. The federal residential clean energy credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. Cash and loan paths get no federal credit. Lease and PPA can still pass through the commercial Section 48 credit (30% in 2026). See IRS Section 25D guidance. Confirm with a qualified tax professional.
How this scales over time
See your cumulative cash position year by year. Includes loan payments if financed, expected grid bill avoided (with 3% annual rate inflation, 0.5% panel degradation), and ongoing state programs (SRECs and performance payments) where applicable.
Payment method
Time horizon
Cumulative paid (out of pocket)
Cumulative grid bill avoided + ongoing programs
Net cash position
Total paid by year 25
$0
Install plus financing plus light maintenance.
Total saved + earned
$0
Avoided grid bills plus ongoing program payments.
Net at year 25
$0
Breakeven year: —
| Year | Paid this year | Saved this year | Cumulative net |
|---|
Assumptions: 3% annual electricity rate inflation, 0.5% annual panel degradation, $200/yr light maintenance starting year 5. Loan rates illustrative. State and federal incentive programs only count for their stated qualifying years (e.g. 15 yrs for most SREC markets, 10 yrs for MA SMART).
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Cost estimates use 2026 state-level $/W averages plus install adjustments. Real installer quotes will vary with shading, roof condition, panel and inverter brand, and any battery, EV charger, or main-panel work bundled in.
Data sources and assumptions
State $/W: EnergySage 2026 marketplace medians cross-checked against NREL Q1 2024 benchmark, post-25D adjusted. Last reviewed 2026-05-10. Range bands ±15% to ±20% from mid.Cost stack: NREL Q1 2024 U.S. Solar PV System Cost Benchmark (residential, 7.15 kW reference).
Sun hours: NREL PVWatts v8 typical-meteorological-year averages, state-representative coordinates.
System derate: 0.85 (PVWatts default for losses, soiling, mismatch, wiring).
State incentives: Per-program data sourced from DSIRE and individual state energy office or revenue department pages (linked in the panel). Last reviewed 2026-05-10.
Federal tax credit: Section 25D residential ENDED Dec 31 2025. Section 48 commercial 30% in 2026 still passes through lease and PPA paths.
What this estimate does not include: battery storage, EV chargers, main service panel upgrades, roof replacement, or tree removal. Each adds $1,500 to $20,000+ depending on scope.
Data last updated 2026-05-10 · Methodology