How Much Do Solar Panels Cost? – Forbes Home
Solar panel costs range from $16,600 to $20,500 for the average 6.5 kW system, but prices can vary from as little as $7,700 for smaller solar systems to upward of $34,700 for larger systems.
Cost per kWh shows the lifetime cost of solar electricity by dividing your net system cost by total expected energy production over 25 years. This typically ranges from 6-8 cents per kWh, compared to current grid electricity averaging 16.44 cents per kWh nationally.
Another measure of the relative cost of solar energy is its price per kilowatt-hour (kWh). 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. Net cost of the system / lifetime output = cost per kilowatt hour
As of 2025, the average cost of residential solar panels in the U.S. is between $15,000 and $25,000 before incentives. This typically translates to about $2.50 to $3.50 per watt of installed capacity (more on price per watt below). The total price depends on your system size, location, roof type, and installer.
Solar systems are sized in kilowatts (kW) and are typically designed to offset 100% of your average annual electricity usage. For reference, the average U.S. household consumes 10,000 kWh of electricity per year and, with average sunshine, would need a 7.5 kW solar system to offset their electricity charges. Is the price of solar panels falling?
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