How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in 2025?
Over 25 years, the average homeowner avoids $41,000 to $62,000 in utility costs. Compare quotes using “cost per watt.” Like price per square foot for homes, this metric
Data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) documented that residential solar panel installations cost about $8.70 per watt in 2010, meaning the average 6 kilowatt (kW) solar installation in 2010 cost about $52,200 before any incentives.
Let's take a look at how solar panel cost and efficiency have changed over time. Solar panels are about 60% cheaper and 40% more efficient than they were in 2010. Solar panels in 2010 cost about $8.70 per watt and were about 15% efficient. Today, solar panels cost about $3.00 per watt on average and are between 19% and 22% efficient.
This principle has consistently driven down costs over the years. As of 2024, the average cost per watt for solar panels was between $2.41 and $3.66, making solar energy more affordable than ever. This decrease is attributed to innovations in solar technology, economies of scale, and growing global demand for renewable energy.
On the high end, we talked to a solar customer in Hawaii who spent $100,000 going solar. Dion in Nevada said their 10-kW system cost about $20,000, which is about the national average price for a 7-kW system. What else affects solar installation costs?
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