How Much Do Solar Panels Cost? (Dec 2025)
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,
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,
Whereas the price per watt considers the solar system''s size, the price per kWh shows the price of the solar system per unit of energy it produces over a given period of time.
Monocrystalline panels offer the highest efficiency ratings of 15-22% but come at a premium price point. Polycrystalline panels provide moderate efficiency between 13-18% at a
The total cost of a solar panel system includes much more than just the panels themselves. Understanding this breakdown helps you evaluate quotes and identify potential
The total cost of a solar panel system includes much more than just the panels themselves. Understanding this breakdown helps you
Solar (photovoltaic) panel prices This data is expressed in US dollars per watt, adjusted for inflation.
Based on our 2025 survey of 1,000 solar customers, the national average price for a single solar panel professionally installed is $1,200. This means most full-size systems of between 20 and
Prices vary based on your system''s size, the equipment you choose, your location, and the installer''s labor rates. This guide breaks down every factor to give you a clear estimate of your
NLR''s bottom-up cost modeling methodology, shown here for residential PV systems, considers a wide set of factors and many interactions between them. These bottom
Solar panel costs can be affected by many factors, including system size, type of panel and home electricity needs. We break down these and other factors in our solar panel cost guide.
Each year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and its national laboratory partners analyze cost data for U.S. solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to
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