Solar · project total
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 whole-system benchmark. The size field multiplies the certified 2024 dollars-per-watt rates by the kilowatts you enter. Owner subsidies are excluded. This page does not report what recent buyers paid.
Important limitation. These are 2024-dollar national benchmarks, not what a contractor would bid in your city today.
Certified benchmark values
| 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)
Formula: 2.78 and 2.95 USD/Wdc × 8000 W. This modelled range is not a contractor quotation.
Typical result $23,600.00 (2024 USD)
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.
How to use this result when planning
- Use the 8 kW certified totals when you want the DOE representative size. Use the size field only to rescale those 2024 dollars-per-watt rates.
- Treat the low figure as DOE minimum-sustainable price and the typical figure as DOE market price. Neither is a bid from a named installer.
- If you are comparing system sizes, change only kilowatts. Do not invent a high bound or subtract a tax credit on this page.
Rescale the certified rates to 6 kW
Keep the certified 2024 dollars-per-watt rates. Change only size from the DOE 8 kW example to 6 kW.
Engine result: Low $16,680.00 (2024 USD); typical $17,700.00 (2024 USD). Formula: 2.78 and 2.95 USD/Wdc × 6000 W. This modelled range is not a contractor quotation.
When to get a contractor quotation
- Get installer quotes when you have a roof layout, interconnection path, and a utility tariff you actually pay.
- Ask each installer whether their price is before or after owner subsidies. This page excludes subsidies.
- A local quote can move with roof complexity, electrical upgrades, and 2026 hardware prices that this 2024 benchmark does not contain.
Limitations
- 2024$ 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.
Is a size other than 8 kW a published DOE total?
No. The certified low and typical totals are the DOE rates times 8,000 watts. Any other size is those same 2024 rates times the kilowatts you enter. This page does not show a buyer-paid percentile range.