Get an instant cost estimate for your solar project. Our calculator provides estimates adjusted for your state using regional cost indices.
Why this calculator
I built these calculators after years of watching homeowners get blindsided by quotes that had no relation to real regional pricing. The model pulls from contractor bid data, BLS labor rates, and state-specific construction cost indices so the estimate you get reflects what your neighbors are actually paying, not a national average. Get 3+ licensed quotes to confirm.
Bloggers, realtors, contractors, and publishers: copy one line of code and give your readers a state-adjusted solarcost estimate. Auto-updates — no maintenance needed.
Our solar calculator models system costs using per-watt installed pricing, adjusted for your state's solar irradiance levels, local utility rates, and typical panel degradation rates. Note: the residential federal solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired 12/31/2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — owner-financed residential solar placed in service in 2026+ receives no federal credit. State incentives, utility rebates, and net metering are now the primary drivers of payback. Battery storage costs are calculated separately using current lithium-ion pricing trends.
We show you a range (low, average, high) because actual costs depend on contractor pricing, material brands, project complexity, and local market conditions. Our data covers all 50 states and is updated quarterly. For the most accurate estimate, we always recommend getting 3+ quotes from licensed local contractors.
Our estimates are based on national average costs per watt ($2.50-$3.80) adjusted for your location, roof direction, and shading. Actual costs depend on your specific installer, equipment brand, and state/utility incentives. The federal residential solar tax credit expired 12/31/2025, so the calculator shows installed cost without any federal credit deduction.
No — not for owner-financed residential solar. The Section 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21). Systems placed in service on or after January 1, 2026 receive no federal credit. One exception: third-party-owned (TPO) or leased systems qualify for the commercial Section 48E ITC at 30% through 2027, because the tax credit flows to the system owner (the leasing company), not the homeowner.
Without the federal credit, payback periods in 2026 typically run 10-14 years for owner-financed residential solar, depending on your state. High-electricity-rate states with strong net metering (CA, HI, MA, NY) still pay back in under 10 years thanks to utility-bill savings. Cloudy, low-rate states (KY, WV, LA) can stretch past 15 years. Check DSIRE (dsireusa.org) for state incentives that shorten payback.
Yes, batteries can be retrofitted to an existing solar array. A typical residential battery system costs $10,000-$15,000 installed. Federal tax treatment of standalone battery storage changed under OBBB — verify the current year's eligibility with your installer and a tax professional before relying on any credit.
Yes. Zillow research shows solar panels increase home value by approximately 4.1%. On a $400,000 home, that is about $16,400 in added value.
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