Solar Price Transparency Board

Based on 255,708 real quotes from homeowners, the median residential solar panel cost is $3.30 per watt before incentives. Half of all homeowners pay between $2.71 and $3.89 per watt (25th–75th percentile). For a typical 7.8 kW system, that works out to $18,573–$37,697 before incentives. The most-quoted states are CA, AZ, NY, TX, CO.

Across 255,708 verified residential quotes, the median price is $3.30/W and the average is $3.26/W. The most competitive 25% of quotes come in at $2.71/W or less. Solar-only systems (no battery) average $3.37/W, while solar-plus-battery systems average $2.83/W. Always compare equipment quality and warranty terms alongside price — the cheapest quote isn't always the best value. If you already have a quote, click "Evaluate My Solar Quote" on our AI Agent page — it generates a professional-grade 10+ page analysis covering pricing, equipment, financing, and every detail of your specific deal.

The median total solar installation cost is $26,861 before incentives, based on 255,708 real quotes. The middle 50% of homeowners pay between $18,573 and $37,697. The median system size is 7.8 kW. Popular panel brands in our dataset include Qcells North America, Hanwha Q CELLS, REC Group. About 21% of quotes include battery storage.

The biggest factor is the installer themselves. Across 1,282 companies in our database (each with 10+ quotes), the middle 50% of company averages range from $2.81/W to $3.43/W — a $0.62/W spread for the same type of job. Differences come from sales commissions, company overhead, in-house vs. subcontracted crews, and some reps inflating quotes expecting you to negotiate down.

Adding battery storage raises the average by $-0.54/W. Location also plays a role — labor rates, permit fees, and local incentives vary by state. Getting 3+ quotes is the single best way to avoid overpaying.

Compare them side-by-side on our board with 571,620 real quotes across 6,431 zip codes. Already have a quote? Click "Evaluate My Solar Quote" on our AI Agent page — it generates a professional-grade 10+ page analysis covering pricing, equipment, financing, and every detail of your deal.