Solar Panel Cost Calculator
Find out how much solar panels cost for your home. Get system cost, monthly savings, tax credit value, and payback timeline.
Net Cost (After Credits)
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Payback Period
0 yrs
| Item | Cost |
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How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
The average cost of a residential solar system in 2024 is $2.50–$4.50 per watt before incentives. For a typical 8 kW system, that works out to $20,000–$36,000 before the federal tax credit, or $14,000–$25,200 after.
Solar Panel Cost by System Size
| System | Before Credit | After 30% Credit | Monthly Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $10,000–$18,000 | $7,000–$12,600 | $40–80 |
| 6 kW | $15,000–$27,000 | $10,500–$18,900 | $60–120 |
| 8 kW | $20,000–$36,000 | $14,000–$25,200 | $80–160 |
| 10 kW | $25,000–$45,000 | $17,500–$31,500 | $100–200 |
| 12 kW | $30,000–$54,000 | $21,000–$37,800 | $120–240 |
Is Solar Worth It?
For most homeowners, solar pays for itself in 7–12 years and generates free electricity for another 15–20 years after that. The average homeowner saves $20,000–$40,000 over the life of the system.