The average cost of a residential solar panel system ranges from $18,000 to $43,000, depending on the system size, location, and available incentives.
How much does home solar cost?
The average pre-incentive cost of home solar is $29,161 for a three-bedroom house, or $20,412 after claiming the 30% tax credit. However, as shown in the chart below, the number of bedrooms isn't a great indicator of the size and cost of a solar system – and neither is living space, for that matter.
A basic home 2kWh solar generator will cost you between $1,600 and $2,000. You could probably power a couple of appliances, keep lights on and recharge devices with a 2kWh solar generator. Our favorite 2kWh solar generator is the BLUETTI AC200P - or upgrade to the AC200MAX, which can be extended by adding additional power packs.
The average national cost for a 5-kilowatt system ranges from $14,000 to $20,900, depending on the source and period of data. EnergySage reports that the average cost of a 10.8 kW solar panel installation is around $29,926 before federal tax credits, which reduces to $20,948 after the credits are applied.
The cost per watt is what you pay for each unit of power of your solar energy system. Think of it a little like “price per square foot” when you buy a house. It helps compare the value of solar energy systems in different sizes. As of publishing, the average cost per watt is $2.84.
How much does a solar generator cost?
Good examples include the 6kWh Goal Zero Yeti 6000X, the 4.8kWh Renogy Lycan 5000, and the 5.1kWh BLUETTI EP500. Expect to pay $5,000-$8,000 depending on accessories, grid-tie equipment, and solar panel choices. Pre-configured solar generators that can store more than 6kWh of energy are expensive and relatively new.
These include maintenance, repairs, and insurance costs, which are essential for ensuring the longevity and efficiency of your system. According to studies by Fraunhofer ISE and HTW Berlin, these operational costs are estimated at around €26 per kWp annually. For a 10 kWp system, this translates to approximately €260 each year.