How much does a good solar panel cost

How much does a solar system cost?

If you just need a few panels for a small do-it-yourself solar project, expect to pay around $200 to $350 per panel (between $0.80 and $1.40 per watt). Note: The table below doesn’t include the cost of a solar storage battery, which can add anywhere from $7,000 to $18,000 to your total solar system costs.

How much do commercial solar panels cost?

Generally, installing solar panels on businesses costs a bit less per watt because the systems are larger, but the total costs will be higher. In 2025, the average cost for commercial solar panels is just about $2.00 per watt. There is a lot to consider when figuring out how much you’ll spend on a solar installation.

Are solar installations cheap?

Solar installations aren't cheap, but the actual equipment is a relatively small part of the total cost. It's only 35% of your total installation cost, according to the US Department of Energy. Soft costs, also known as the hidden costs of installing solar, are nonhardware costs, and they make up 65% of your total solar costs, according to the DOE.

How much does solar cost per watt?

For reference, the national average cost of solar panels is $3.03 per watt. Solar rebates help make solar more affordable by directly lowering the upfront cost of a solar installation. If you have access to solar rebates, consider yourself lucky! They are few and far between these days.