Cost & Savings

Solar Panel Cost Calculator

By Shehzad Hussain

How much do solar panels cost? Price your system by size and cost per watt, with equipment and labour split — free, no signup.

Your system

System size (kW)

Cost per watt ($)

Fixed costs ($) — optional

Panel wattage (W)

Estimates only. Costs are estimates based on a typical per-watt rate and a typical equipment / labour split — real quotes vary by roof type, state and installer. Incentives vary by state/country and change — check current local rules. Get at least two local quotes before deciding.

How solar panel cost is calculated

System size × cost per watt, plus fixed costs. The calculator multiplies your system size in kW by your cost per watt — $2.90 is a typical US installed figure in 2026 — then adds any fixed costs such as permits or a main-panel upgrade. An 8.4 kW system at $2.90 per watt costs about $24,360; a 4 kW system about $11,600; a 10 kW system about $29,000.

The split is roughly 60% equipment (panels, inverter, mounting, wiring) and 40% labour, permits and inspection. Premium panels, complex roofs, batteries and panel upgrades push the cost per watt up; simple roofs and competitive quotes push it down.

All figures are post-credit: the US 30% federal residential solar credit ended on 31 December 2025. If your state or utility still offers an incentive, subtract it from your total before comparing quotes.

Need the full picture? Use the solar panel calculator to size your system first, then the installation cost breakdown and the payback calculator.

How to use the Solar Panel Cost Calculator

Enter your system size in kW — or size it first with the solar panel calculator.
Set your cost per watt ($2.90 is a typical US installed figure in 2026).
Add any fixed costs such as permits or a main-panel upgrade.
Read off the total, the equipment vs labour split, and the cost per panel.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a solar panel system cost?

At $2.90 per watt installed, a typical 8.4 kW home system costs about $24,360. A smaller 4 kW system is about $11,600 and a large 10 kW system about $29,000. Prices vary by state, roof and installer, and the figures here are post-credit — the 30% federal credit ended on 31 December 2025.

What is the cost per watt for solar in 2026?

Typical US residential installed costs run about $2.50 to $3.50 per watt. This calculator defaults to $2.90 per watt. Premium panels, complex roofs and battery add-ons push the figure up; simple roofs and competitive quotes push it down.

What makes up the cost of a solar system?

Roughly 60% is equipment (panels, inverter, mounting, wiring) and 40% is labour, permits and inspection. Batteries, panel upgrades and roof work are extra. The calculator shows this split so you can see where the money goes.

More calculators from the same category.

Cost & Savings Solar Savings Calculator How much can I save with solar panels? Estimate year-1, monthly and 25-year savings from your system size and electricity rate. Use tool → Cost & Savings Solar Payback Calculator How long until solar panels pay for themselves? Work out simple payback and a realistic payback range from cost and yearly savings. Use tool → Cost & Savings Solar ROI Calculator What is the return on investment for solar panels? Work out 25-year savings, net profit, ROI % and break-even year. Use tool →

How solar panel cost is calculated

How to use the Solar Panel Cost Calculator

Frequently asked questions

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