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Solar panel installation cost

A DOE representative 8 kW residential PV-only system has a modelled low of $22,240.00 (2024 USD) and a typical of $23,600.00 (2024 USD). DOE did not publish a high installed bound, so none is shown.

Source year. Based on the DOE / NREL photovoltaic system cost benchmark (Q1 2025 release, 2024 dollars).

Geographic scope. United States national modelled benchmark.

Model scope. National PV-only residential benchmark. Owner subsidies are excluded. Soft-cost and hardware mix follow the DOE table, not a named installer.

Important limitation. These are 2024-dollar national benchmarks, not what a contractor would bid in your city today.

Certified benchmark values

Certified 2024 USD figures for this page. Missing bands are unpublished, not estimated.
Band	Value
installed low	$22,240.00 (2024 USD)
installed typical	$23,600.00 (2024 USD)

Benchmark estimator

Results are modelled 2024 USD benchmarks, not a contractor quote.

Modelled benchmark: Low $22,240.00 (2024 USD); typical $23,600.00 (2024 USD)

Source year: 2024 USD
Scope: National PV-only residential benchmark, owner subsidies excluded
Limitation: Not a current installer quote. HIGH is unpublished.
Basis: DOE representative 8 kW × certified 2024 dollars per watt
Matches the certified evaluation point on this page.

What this estimate includes

DOE market-price and minimum-sustainable-price dollars per watt
DOE representative 8 kWdc size
PV-only residential scope

What moves the number

System size in kilowatts
Whether you use the DOE typical or low dollars-per-watt rate
Incentives, which this page excludes

Methodology and sources

The certified unit rates are copied from DOE Table 2 PV-only residential MSP and MMP.
The 8 kW total is those rates times 8,000 watts.
Other sizes in the estimator are your kilowatts times the same certified 2024 rates. Size is your input.
No inflation adjustment to 2026 is applied.

Primary source: Q1-2025 Solar Photovoltaic System Cost Benchmarks.

Limitations

2024$ DOE PV-only residential benchmark, not a 2026 installer quote.
HIGH installed bound is unpublished and is not invented.
Owner subsidies excluded.

Questions this evidence can answer

Why is there no high number?

DOE Table 2 does not publish a high installed-cost bound for this series. HomeCostMage does not invent one.

Does this include the tax credit?

No. The certified DOE note excludes owner subsidies. Subtracting a credit here would be a different, uncertified calculation.