Solar panel installation costs $3.00 to $4.50 per watt, or $12,000 to $27,000 for a typical 6-to-10 kW home system (Angi).2 Angi’s 2026 average is $27,104; Fixr’s is $23,100 for a 7.6 kW rooftop system.13 One big 2026 change: the 30% federal residential solar credit ended December 31, 2025, so these gross prices are now what you actually pay.4
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on system size, equipment, roof condition, and state or utility incentives. Prices below are national averages for 2026.
$23,100
average 7.6 kW, Fixr
$3.00 – $4.50
per watt, HomeGuide
$27,104
average install, Angi
12%
panel share of total, Fixr
Quick math: HomeGuide’s $3.75 average per watt on a 7.6 kW system gives $28,500, our arithmetic — close to Angi’s $27,104 average but above Fixr’s $23,100 ($3.04 per watt, our arithmetic, the bottom of HomeGuide’s band).123 Equipment quality and local soft costs explain the spread; $23,000 to $28,000 is the realistic 2026 planning range for a mid-size system, our judgment.
Cost by system size
| System size | Panels | Installed cost (Angi) | HomeGuide check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | 10 – 12 | $8,000 – $13,000 | $12,000 – $18,000 |
| 6 kW | 15 – 18 | $12,000 – $19,000 | $18,000 – $27,000 |
| 8 kW | 20 – 24 | $15,000 – $23,000 | $24,000 – $36,000 |
| 10 kW | 25 – 30 | $18,000 – $27,000 | $30,000 – $45,000 |
The two references disagree by roughly half a system: HomeGuide’s per-watt band runs consistently above Angi’s project data, our comparison.12 Angi’s figures come from 2,546 verified projects, so treat its column as the closer-to-reality number and HomeGuide’s as the cautious budget ceiling.1
Cost by system type
| System type | Average cost (Angi) | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Grid-tied | $10,000 | Cheapest; no backup in outages |
| Hybrid | $18,000 | Battery backup plus savings |
| Off-grid | $25,000 | Full independence; most maintenance |
| Ground-mounted | $18,000 | Flexible placement; needs land |
| Solar shingles | $25,000 | Seamless look; fewer installers |
Battery storage is what separates the tiers: grid-tied without batteries is the value option, while hybrid and off-grid systems add storage and complexity.1
Where the money goes
The panels themselves are only about 12% of the total (Fixr).3 The rest is inverters, racking, labor, permits, and soft costs — which is why per-watt prices vary so much by state and installer.23 Angi flags roof repairs and electrical upgrades as the common budget-breakers that push jobs toward its $36,409 band-top.1
The 2026 tax credit change
Under the July 2025 budget law, the Section 25D residential clean energy credit is not allowed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025 — and the IRS counts the expenditure when installation completes, so a 2026 install gets no 30% federal credit even if you paid a deposit in 2025 (IRS).4 Many older cost pages still show after-credit prices; subtract nothing from the 2026 figures here. Fixr notes that third-party-owned systems (leases and PPAs) may still benefit from commercial credits passed through as lower rates.3
Worked examples
Example 1 — average rooftop job. Fixr’s 7.6 kW national average: $23,100, band $19,100 to $23,800.3 Angi’s project average $27,104 brackets it from above.1 Budget $23,000 to $27,000 for a typical home.
Example 2 — big home, 10 kW. Angi $18,000 to $27,000; HomeGuide $30,000 to $45,000 at $3.00 to $4.50 per watt, our arithmetic.12 The truth likely sits between — collect three installer quotes anchored on Angi’s band.
Example 3 — the old math vs. 2026. A $27,000 system in 2025 netted $18,900 after the 30% credit; the same system in 2026 costs the full $27,000, our arithmetic — a $8,100 difference that no longer comes back at tax time (IRS).4
FAQ
Is the 30% federal solar credit still available in 2026? No. The Section 25D credit ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025, and the IRS counts the expenditure when installation completes (IRS).4
What does a typical home need? Most homes use 4 to 10 kW; Fixr’s average job is 7.6 kW at $23,100. Size from your utility bills, with headroom if you plan to add an EV.13
Why is HomeGuide pricier than Angi? Different methods: HomeGuide quotes a $3.00 to $4.50 per-watt band while Angi’s comes from 2,546 completed projects. Use Angi’s for expectations, HomeGuide’s for ceiling.12
Do leases or PPAs still get incentives? Possibly — third-party-owned systems can qualify under commercial credits, with savings passed through as lower rates (Fixr).3
Are state or utility incentives still around? Some remain and vary widely — they drive much of the state-by-state price spread (HomeGuide). Check your utility before budgeting.2
Sources
- Angi, How Much Does Solar Panel Installation Cost? (2026 data).
- HomeGuide, How Much Do Solar Panels Cost? (per-watt bands; its after-credit column predates the 2026 credit change).
- Fixr, Solar Panel Cost in 2026 (2026 data).
- IRS, FAQs on energy credit termination under Public Law 119-21 (Aug. 2025).
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