Solar Panel Installation Cost by State
Our U.S. planning range is $15,000–$31,000 for a residential system, or roughly $2.50–$3.50 per watt before incentives. Actual quotes depend on your state, system size, roof, and installer. Explore the available state guides or use the calculator below.
Calculate My Solar Savings in the United StatesAverage Solar Power Installation Price Nationwide
A residential solar system in the U.S. typically costs $15,000–$31,000, or $2.50–$3.50 per watt before incentives. Lower-cost states tend to run $2.50–$2.75 per watt, while higher-cost states run $3.30–$3.50 per watt, driven by permitting, labor, and installer competition. Most homes need a 6–10 kW system, so total cost scales from there.
Across a typical 6–10 kW system, these figures provide a useful starting point for comparing the average cost of solar panels, total solar installation cost, and the long-term solar cost per kWh.
Solar Panel Installation Cost by State
Compare the published state-level installation ranges below, then explore available state and city coverage for local pricing.
| State | Avg. $/Watt | Avg. System Cost | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $2.60–$3.40 | $18,500–$24,000 | Varies by city |
| Texas | $2.40–$3.20 | $15,000–$20,000 | Varies by city |
| Florida | $2.50–$3.30 | $16,000–$21,000 | Varies by city |
Explore more city solar guides
Compare country-level cost planning ranges with city-specific solar-resource data from NASA POWER. Solar-resource figures are 2001–2020 climatological averages, not electricity output or local installation quotes.
Phoenix
Solar resource: 5.85 kWh/m²/day
Tucson
Solar resource: 5.79 kWh/m²/day
Las Vegas
Solar resource: 5.61 kWh/m²/day
Denver
Solar resource: 4.85 kWh/m²/day
New York City
Solar resource: 3.92 kWh/m²/day
Buffalo
Solar resource: 3.59 kWh/m²/day
Charlotte
Solar resource: 4.47 kWh/m²/day
Raleigh
Solar resource: 4.47 kWh/m²/day
Atlanta
Solar resource: 4.51 kWh/m²/day
Newark
Solar resource: 3.92 kWh/m²/day
What Affects Solar Installation Cost
- System size (kW)
- Roof type and shading
- Equipment quality
- Solar battery installation cost (if adding storage)
- Permits and labor by region
- Solar incentives (state and utility programs vary)
Frequently Asked Questions
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