Solar Panel Cost Calculator
How Many Solar Panels to Zero Out Your Electric Bill?
Solar is not priced by the square foot. It is sized to the power you use. Enter your address and we work out your usage from your monthly bill at your local electricity rate, how many panels your roof needs to bring that bill to zero, optional battery storage, and what it costs from up to 3 local contractors who serve your address.
- Sized from your bill and your local price per kWh
- Panel count and roof space your system needs
- Optional battery storage for backup power
- Prices from up to 3 local contractors
National average solar system
$20,989
installed. Residential systems typically run $15,000 to $100,000 depending on size, equipment, roof and incentives.
1,021,354
Roofs measured
46,432
Contractors pricing work
430 watts
Typical panel
13.5 kWh
Battery storage
Estimates are based on over 1 million roof measurements and pricing contractors enter into our roof calculator database , and it is refreshed daily.
How the Calculator Sizes Your System
- Your bill becomes kilowatt hours. We divide your monthly bill by the residential electricity price where your home is.
- Usage becomes system size. We divide your daily usage by the peak sun hours your area gets, with a 20% allowance for real-world losses.
- System size becomes panels. We count 430 watt panels until the system covers 100% of your bill, then check the roof space they need.
- Batteries are optional. Each battery adds about 13.5 kWh of storage for backup power and evening use.
What Makes Up the Cost of a Solar System
Solar panel pricing is not one size fits all. The total cost depends on your home's energy usage, roof characteristics, equipment choices, and available incentives. National averages give a rough range, but they rarely reflect what a system will cost for your property.
Residential solar is priced as an entire system, not single panels: panels, mounting hardware, inverters, wiring, electrical work, permitting, and labor. You are not buying individual 100 or 200 watt panels. You are buying a system engineered around your usage, roof layout, and sun exposure.
Lower wattage panels cost less up front but may require more of them, which adds labor. Higher efficiency panels cost more each but generate more power in less space, often reducing the total number of panels required.
Battery storage adds cost but gives you backup power and flexibility. One battery often covers essential loads, while whole-home backup typically needs several. Electrical upgrades and load management also affect the total. If you are weighing an integrated solar roof instead, see our Solar Roof cost calculator.
5 Key Factors That Affect Solar Panel Cost
Panel technology
Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but have a higher price tag. Polycrystalline and thin-film options cost less, but may need more roof space to produce the same amount of energy.
System size
Adding more panels increases your total cost, but it can lower your cost per watt since you're spreading fixed expenses like installation across a larger system.
Roof details
Size, direction, shade, and condition all matter. Angled roofs or ones that are partially shaded may need more panels or more work to fit them, which can increase the price.
Local labor and market
Local labor rates, permits, time of year, and how busy installers are can all affect your final price.
Incentives
Rebates and utility programs can lower what you pay out of pocket, often making solar more affordable than it looks at first.
Cost per watt is how to compare quotes
Divide the total system cost by its total wattage. That gives you an apples-to-apples comparison across installers and panel types.
Higher wattage, fewer panels
Higher wattage panels produce more electricity from the same space, keeping your system simpler and often cheaper overall in sunny areas.
Payback period
How long it takes to recover what you spent. Sunny areas with high electricity rates break even fastest; low rates or shade take longer.
Solar Panel Brands and Performance
Efficiency ratings, degradation rates, and warranties change how much power a system produces over decades.
REC
Known for strong performance in hot climates. REC panels hold higher output during extreme temperatures, which helps reduce seasonal efficiency loss.
Qcells
One of the most commonly installed residential brands in the United States, balancing efficiency and affordability for a strong cost per watt.
Panasonic
Premium construction and low degradation over time. Costs more up front, but holds higher output for homeowners planning to stay for years.
Maxeon
Some of the highest efficiency residential panels available, generating more electricity per square foot on homes with limited roof space.
Hyundai
Dependable performance at competitive pricing from a trusted global brand with solid efficiency and long-term warranty coverage.
Tesla
Sleek, low-profile all-black panels with a seamless look on the roof. A well-known brand backed by Tesla's ecosystem of home energy products.
Trina
A global top-tier manufacturer offering high wattage panels at a value price point, a frequent pick for larger systems that want more power per dollar.
Solar Battery Options
Batteries store extra energy for later, improving independence and keeping the lights on during outages.
Tesla Powerwall
One of the most recognized home battery systems, commonly used for whole-home backup and time-of-use energy shifting.
Enphase
Integrates directly with microinverter systems. The modular design lets you add storage over time as your needs grow.
LG Energy Solution
Compact design and proven lithium technology, often chosen for tight spaces or partial backup where reliability comes first.
Incentives, Tax Credits and PPAs
The 30% federal solar tax credit has expired for most homeowners as of December 31, 2025. Systems had to be installed and placed in service by that date to qualify; homeowner-owned systems installed after it no longer qualify under current law.
Many states and utilities still offer rebates, net metering credits, or tax exemptions. These vary by location and can shorten your payback considerably.
With a solar lease or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), a third party owns, installs, and maintains the system, and you buy the power it produces at a fixed rate, often below the utility price. The owner may still claim the credit and pass savings on through lower rates. PPAs need little or no money up front, but long-term savings are usually lower than owning, and contracts run 10 to 25 years, so review the terms carefully if you may sell your home.
Are Solar Panels Worth It?
It depends on your roof, your energy bills, and how long you plan to stay. If you love your home, your roof gets solid sun, and your bills are high, solar can lock in lower energy costs for years. The calculator above tells you most of what you need to know in seconds.
Other Roofing Material Types
Price the same roof in a different material.
