Solar is priced per watt of capacity. The size you need depends on your electricity use, roof and sun, so compare quotes by cost per watt, not by total.
National figures
| Cost | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost per watt | $2.60 | EnergySage |
| Average 12 kW system | $31,135 | EnergySage |
| Typical range, 12 kW | $27,526 to $33,869 | EnergySage |
Solar cost per watt by state
| State | Cost per watt | 12 kW system at that price |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $2.12 | $25,440 |
| Texas | $2.25 | $27,000 |
| Arizona | $2.26 | $27,120 |
| Mississippi | $2.29 | $27,480 |
| Louisiana | $2.32 | $27,840 |
| Nevada | $2.36 | $28,320 |
| Arkansas | $2.39 | $28,680 |
| Oregon | $2.43 | $29,160 |
| North Carolina | $2.45 | $29,400 |
| Kentucky | $2.49 | $29,880 |
| Missouri | $2.49 | $29,880 |
| Washington | $2.49 | $29,880 |
| Georgia | $2.50 | $30,000 |
| California | $2.52 | $30,240 |
| New Mexico | $2.52 | $30,240 |
| Montana | $2.53 | $30,360 |
| Virginia | $2.55 | $30,600 |
| Maryland | $2.57 | $30,840 |
| South Carolina | $2.57 | $30,840 |
| Ohio | $2.58 | $30,960 |
| New Jersey | $2.59 | $31,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $2.59 | $31,080 |
| Oklahoma | $2.60 | $31,200 |
| Colorado | $2.63 | $31,560 |
| Delaware | $2.63 | $31,560 |
| Indiana | $2.65 | $31,800 |
| Kansas | $2.65 | $31,800 |
| Connecticut | $2.68 | $32,160 |
| New York | $2.76 | $33,120 |
| Vermont | $2.78 | $33,360 |
| Rhode Island | $2.79 | $33,480 |
| Michigan | $2.88 | $34,560 |
| New Hampshire | $2.88 | $34,560 |
| Massachusetts | $2.90 | $34,800 |
| Maine | $2.92 | $35,040 |
| Illinois | $2.94 | $35,280 |
| Idaho | $2.97 | $35,640 |
| Wisconsin | $3.04 | $36,480 |
| Washington, D.C. | $3.12 | $37,440 |
| Minnesota | $3.23 | $38,760 |
| Iowa | $3.26 | $39,120 |
| Hawaii | $3.43 | $41,160 |
| Tennessee | $3.49 | $41,880 |
| Alabama | $3.82 | $45,840 |
Before incentives. EnergySage’s table covers 43 states and DC. The 12 kW column is our multiplication of EnergySage’s price per watt.
What affects the price
- System size in kilowatts.
- Your state: see the state table below.
- Equipment: panel brand, inverters and batteries.
- Roof: replace an old roof first; removing panels later is expensive.
Ways to pay less
- Compare at least three quotes by price per watt.
- The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025 (IRS); check state and utility incentives.
- If your roof is near the end of its life, see roof replacement cost first.
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Sources
- EnergySage, solar panel cost (Marketplace data; updated June 30, 2026, state table Oct 9, 2026)
- IRS, Residential Clean Energy Credit
Checked October 14, 2026. Prices vary by region, home and contractor. This page is general information.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a solar system cost in 2026?
About $31,135 for a 12 kW system before incentives, or $2.60 per watt (EnergySage).
Is there still a federal tax credit for home solar?
The IRS says the Residential Clean Energy Credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
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