Solar Price Transparency Board

Based on 241,344 real quotes from homeowners, the median residential solar panel cost is $3.32 per watt before incentives. Half of all homeowners pay between $2.73 and $3.91 per watt (25th–75th percentile). For a typical 7.9 kW system, that works out to $19,026–$38,139 before incentives. The most-quoted states are AZ, CA, NY, TX, CO.

Across 241,344 verified residential quotes, the median price is $3.32/W and the average is $3.28/W. The most competitive 25% of quotes come in at $2.73/W or less. Solar-only systems (no battery) average $3.38/W, while solar-plus-battery systems average $2.82/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 $27,360 before incentives, based on 241,344 real quotes. The middle 50% of homeowners pay between $19,026 and $38,139. The median system size is 7.9 kW. Popular panel brands in our dataset include Qcells North America, Qcells, REC Group. About 18% of quotes include battery storage.

The biggest factor is the installer themselves. Across 1,199 companies in our database (each with 10+ quotes), the middle 50% of company averages range from $2.80/W to $3.44/W — a $0.64/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 $-0.56/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 529,816 real quotes across 6,381 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.