Cost guides › Solar panels
United States
Solar panel installation cost
A 6 kWp rooftop solar system with a hybrid inverter and a 5 kWh battery typically costs $24,500 installed, with most quotes between $19,100 and $31,900. The same array without a battery comes in around $17,000, and a larger 10 kWh battery on a heavier-duty inverter runs about $32,700.
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mid-range, typicalCost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $18,400 | $26,400 | $34,900 |
| Illinois | $18,500 | $26,400 | $34,900 |
| Oregon | $18,500 | $26,300 | $34,700 |
| Washington | $18,300 | $26,100 | $34,500 |
| Alaska | $18,100 | $25,900 | $34,300 |
| Massachusetts | $17,700 | $25,600 | $34,000 |
| Minnesota | $17,700 | $25,500 | $33,900 |
| New York | $17,700 | $25,500 | $33,900 |
| District of Columbia | $17,700 | $25,400 | $33,700 |
| New Jersey | $17,700 | $25,400 | $33,700 |
Show all regions
| California | $17,600 | $25,300 | $33,500 |
| Connecticut | $17,600 | $25,300 | $33,600 |
| Wisconsin | $17,600 | $25,200 | $33,400 |
| Michigan | $17,600 | $25,100 | $33,300 |
| Montana | $17,600 | $25,100 | $33,300 |
| Rhode Island | $17,500 | $25,100 | $33,300 |
| Maine | $17,500 | $25,000 | $33,200 |
| Maryland | $17,400 | $25,000 | $33,100 |
| Nevada | $17,400 | $25,000 | $33,100 |
| Wyoming | $17,500 | $25,000 | $33,100 |
| Indiana | $17,200 | $24,800 | $33,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $17,200 | $24,800 | $33,000 |
| Missouri | $17,100 | $24,700 | $32,900 |
| North Dakota | $17,100 | $24,700 | $32,800 |
| Ohio | $17,100 | $24,700 | $32,800 |
| Delaware | $17,100 | $24,600 | $32,700 |
| Kansas | $17,100 | $24,600 | $32,600 |
| New Hampshire | $17,000 | $24,600 | $32,900 |
| Vermont | $17,000 | $24,600 | $32,800 |
| Colorado | $17,000 | $24,500 | $32,700 |
| Idaho | $17,000 | $24,500 | $32,500 |
| Virginia | $17,000 | $24,500 | $32,500 |
| West Virginia | $17,100 | $24,500 | $32,500 |
| Arizona | $16,900 | $24,400 | $32,400 |
| Iowa | $16,900 | $24,400 | $32,600 |
| Nebraska | $16,900 | $24,400 | $32,500 |
| South Dakota | $16,900 | $24,400 | $32,400 |
| Utah | $17,000 | $24,400 | $32,500 |
| Kentucky | $16,900 | $24,300 | $32,300 |
| Louisiana | $16,900 | $24,300 | $32,300 |
| Oklahoma | $16,900 | $24,300 | $32,200 |
| Tennessee | $16,900 | $24,300 | $32,300 |
| Florida | $16,800 | $24,200 | $32,100 |
| Georgia | $16,800 | $24,200 | $32,200 |
| Mississippi | $16,900 | $24,200 | $32,200 |
| New Mexico | $16,800 | $24,200 | $32,200 |
| South Carolina | $16,800 | $24,200 | $32,200 |
| Texas | $16,800 | $24,200 | $32,200 |
| North Carolina | $16,800 | $24,100 | $32,100 |
| Alabama | $16,700 | $24,000 | $32,000 |
| Arkansas | $16,400 | $23,800 | $31,700 |
What's included
Mid-range
- About 13–14 all-black monocrystalline panels of 450 W each
- Aluminum racking with roof attachments for a pitched roof up to about 25 degrees
- 6 kW hybrid inverter with a 5 kWh lithium battery
- DC combiner box with disconnects and surge protection, panels wired in two strings
- PV wire in conduit from the roof to the inverter, and AC wiring to the main panel
- Dedicated breaker for the solar feed in the main panel
- Wi-Fi monitoring of production and home consumption
- Scaffolding and two permanent roof anchor points for safe access
- Installation, connection and commissioning
What affects the cost
Battery or no battery
The battery is one of the biggest single line items. Without it the system costs around $17,000; with it you store daytime solar for the evening and can keep essential loads running in an outage, depending on how the system is wired.
System size
Larger systems cost more in total but less per watt, because permitting, design, inverter and labor are partly fixed. The right size depends on your annual electricity use and how your utility credits exported power.
Roof type and condition
The estimate assumes a sound pitched roof facing roughly south. Tile and metal roofs need different attachments than asphalt shingle, and a roof that needs replacing within a few years should be redone before panels go on.
Electrical panel
Older 100 A panels often can't take a solar breaker without a panel upgrade or a line-side connection. A main-panel replacement is not included.
Permits and interconnection
Building and electrical permits, utility interconnection fees and any structural engineering letter are not in this estimate. They vary a lot by city and utility.
Panel and inverter brand
Premium panels and inverters carry longer warranties and slightly higher efficiency. On an unshaded roof, a mid-range brand from an established manufacturer usually delivers most of the benefit.
How to save
- Get at least three itemized quotes and compare them per watt, with and without the battery.
- Size the system to your actual usage from the last 12 months of bills, not the largest array the roof can hold.
- Fix or replace an aging roof first, so panels don't have to be removed and reinstalled later.
- Look up state and utility incentives in the DSIRE database before signing.
Grants, tax and rules
Federal solar credit ended
The 25D residential clean energy credit, which covered solar panels and batteries, does not apply to expenditures after 31 Dec 2025 (IRS). Quotes that still subtract a federal tax credit are out of date.
State and utility incentives
Some states and utilities still offer solar or battery incentives. The DSIRE database lists state and utility programs.
Permits and licensing
Solar requires electrical work and roof attachments, which usually need a local permit. Electrical connections must be made by a licensed electrician where local law requires it. Our figures are before sales tax.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 6 kW solar system cost?
With a 5 kWh battery, a 6 kWp system costs about $24,500 installed. Without the battery, expect around $17,000. Permits and utility interconnection fees come on top.
Is there still a federal tax credit for solar?
No. The 25D credit does not apply to expenditures after 31 Dec 2025, so systems installed now don't get the federal credit. State and utility programs may still apply.
Do I need a battery with solar panels?
No, the panels work without one. A battery makes sense if your utility pays little for exported power, charges more in the evening, or if you want backup during outages.
How many panels is a 6 kW system?
With 450 W panels it is about 13–14 panels, needing roughly 300 sq ft of unshaded roof. Lower-wattage panels mean more of them.
How long does a solar installation take?
The physical installation usually takes one to three days. Permits, utility approval and final inspection often take several weeks before the system can be switched on.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 24.5 · Labour: $3,819 · Materials: $20,730
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates.