Price per photovoltaic panel installation

Today's premium monocrystalline solar panels typically cost between 30 and 50 cents per Watt, putting the price of a single 400-watt solar panel between $120 to $200, depending on how you buy it. Less efficient polycrystalline panels are typically cheaper at $0.25 per Watt. The cost of a solar panel also depends on how you buy it.

Installation labor accounts for around 5.5% of the total cost of a residential solar project, according to a report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. That amounts to $1,375 for a $25,000 solar project.

In 2023, the average installed cost of solar PV systems stood at 758 U.S. dollars per kilowatt. Likewise, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar photovoltaics has seen a similar trend over the past decade. Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic (PV) cells, can absorb sunlight and convert it into electrical energy.

The price per watt for larger and relatively straightforward projects are often within the $3-$4 range. Claiming incentives like tax credits and rebates can bring the PPW even lower. However, the following factors may push your solar price per watt into the $4 to $5 range.

A fully installed solar system typically costs $3 to $5 per watt before factoring in incentives like the 30% tax credit. Using this measurement, 5,000 Watt solar system (5 kW) would have a gross cost between $15,00 and $25,000. The price per watt for larger and relatively straightforward projects are often within the $3-$4 range.

First, you can use an online solar cost calculator, like this one powered by solar.com. Simply punch in your address and your average monthly electricity bill, and the calculator will give you a side-by-side comparison of the cost of solar versus paying for utility electricity.