Rooftop solar offsets purchased electricity for 25+ years and pairs best with high electric rates and unshaded south-facing roof space.
Every price on this page is for 6 kW rooftop solar system, installed, compiled from public cost data across all 51 markets we track and refreshed for 2026.
Solar Panels Cost at a Glance (2026)
| Installed cost range (all states) | $11,900–$31,200 |
|---|---|
| Typical installed cost (average state) | $18,249 |
| Typical yearly energy savings | $1,508 a year (state range $870–$3,335) |
| Simple payback at the typical cost | about 12.1 years |
| Expected lifespan | 25 years |
Where the Money Goes
| Cost part | Share | At the typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment & materials | 62% | $11,314 |
| Labor & installation | 30% | $5,475 |
| Permits & other | 8% | $1,460 |
What Affects the Price
- System size: price scales with kilowatts, but cost per watt falls as systems get bigger because design, permitting and mobilization are fixed.
- Roof condition and complexity: a roof near the end of its life should be replaced first; steep, multi-plane or tile roofs add labor.
- Equipment tier: premium high-efficiency panels and microinverters cost more than standard panels with a string inverter.
- Electrical work: main panel upgrades and long conduit runs to the meter add to the ticket.
- Local soft costs: permitting rules, interconnection timelines and installer competition move prices a lot between states.
When Solar Panels Makes Sense
Solar makes sense when you have a mostly unshaded roof with 10+ years of life left, pay average-or-higher electric rates, and plan to stay in the home at least 6-8 years. It makes the strongest case in high-rate states and when most of your usage is daytime or you can shift loads (EV charging, pool pumps, pre-cooling) into sunny hours. Size the system to your actual annual usage — oversizing past your consumption earns little in most net-billing states.
When It Pays to Wait
Wait if the roof needs replacing within 5 years — do the roof first and the panels once, not twice. Also wait if heavy shade covers the best roof planes and tree work is not an option, or if you expect to move within a few years and your local market does not credit solar in resale prices. Households with very low electric bills (under about $75/month) rarely recover the cost quickly.
Estimate Your Payback
Enter your own quote and savings estimate to see your simple payback:
Payback Calculator
Solar Panels Cost by State
State guides for solar panels are on the way — new guides are published twice a day.
Figures compiled from public sources, updated October 2026. Local quotes vary — get 2–3 estimates.