Solar System Cost by Size: What You Will Pay in 2026
Written by HyreSolar Research Desk Price compilation from published, dated sources
The short answer
Solar System Cost by Size depends mainly on system size, equipment and roof, and this page gives the installed range from dated, sourced quotes. An 8 kW system, close to the US average, runs $20,900–$24,300 across 23 published sources; each size below is ranged only from sources that state a price for that exact size.
We do not multiply a per-watt figure by a size to fill a row. No 30% federal credit applies to a system a homeowner buys: Section 25D ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025 (what changed).
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Keep learningInstalled price range (23 quotes, dated)
8 kW system, installed total: $20,900–$24,300, the median low to the median high across the 23 comparable published figures below. The full spread runs from $18,000 to $32,000.
| Source | Published figure | Basis | Source date | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EnergySage | $20,960 | EnergySage size table, before incentives | 2026-06-30 (state table 2026-10-16) | 2026-10-21 |
| Fixr | $24,300 | Fixr table, before incentives | 2026-01-30 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarReviews | $23,840 | SolarReviews table, total cost pre-incentive | 2026-10 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarSavingsHub | $24,000 | gross table at $3.00/W (15 kW row inconsistent) | 2026-10-04 | 2026-10-21 |
| Nedes | $21,000 to $29,500 | gross, before incentives | 2026-08-27 | 2026-10-21 |
| Arka360 | $20,880 | EnergySage-derived, before incentives (not independent) | 2026-06-05 | 2026-10-21 |
| Portlandia Electric Supply | $22,400 to $25,600 | gross, $2.80–$3.20/W band | 2026-06-06 (updated 2026-09) | 2026-10-21 |
| The Green Watt | $20,800 to $24,000 | owned, no federal credit | 2026-04-15 | 2026-10-21 |
| NRG Clean Power | $20,880 | estimated, before incentives (tracks EnergySage closely) | 2026-07-25 | 2026-10-21 |
| Solar Powered Tech | $23,600 to $32,000 | low=NREL benchmark $2.95/W, high=LBNL overall median $4.00/W, before incentives | 2026-09-24 | 2026-10-21 |
| RenCalc | $22,400 | illustrative at $2.80/W, before incentives | 2026-09-04 | 2026-10-21 |
| Jouleio | $20,000 to $28,000 | gross, before incentives | 2026-05-18 | 2026-10-21 |
| SurgePV | $20,000 to $27,000 | gross; 12 kW is cited EnergySage example | 2026-07-19 | 2026-10-21 |
| GreenEnergyCalc | $20,960 | attributed to EnergySage (not independent) | 2026-10-02 | 2026-10-21 |
| BLUETTI US | $20,960 | installed, pre-incentive; reprints EnergySage data | 2026-09-28 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarRatings | $20,000 to $28,000 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-06-06 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarBazaar | $20,000 to $28,000 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-10-07 | 2026-10-21 |
| Energy Rebate Calculator | $22,000 | installed, pre-incentive | not stated | 2026-10-21 |
| HomeRepairOne | $18,000 to $27,000 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-07 | 2026-10-21 |
| MySolarfy | $20,640 to $28,000 | installed, pre-incentive, illustrative | 2026-08-18 | 2026-10-21 |
| RealCostIQ | $20,000 to $30,000 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-09-05 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarInsure | $19,280 to $26,720 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-10-14 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarScout | $20,800 to $22,000 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-04-10 | 2026-10-21 |
Each row is a figure as the source states it, gross of incentives, not adjusted by us. The headline range is a HyreSolar calculation over these rows. No 30% federal credit is subtracted: Section 25D ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025.
Compare quotes from vetted solar installers System size calculator
5 kW system, installed total: 14 quotes, dated
5 kW system, installed total: $13,900–$15,100, the median low to the median high across the 14 comparable published figures below. The full spread runs from $9,750 to $26,140.
| Source | Published figure | Basis | Source date | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EnergySage | $13,900 | EnergySage size table, before incentives | 2026-06-30 (state table 2026-10-16) | 2026-10-21 |
| Fixr | $15,200 | Fixr table, before incentives | 2026-01-30 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarReviews | $16,800 | SolarReviews table, total cost pre-incentive | 2026-10 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarSavingsHub | $15,000 | gross table at $3.00/W (15 kW row inconsistent) | 2026-10-04 | 2026-10-21 |
| NRG Clean Power | $13,750 | estimated, before incentives (tracks EnergySage closely) | 2026-07-25 | 2026-10-21 |
| BLUETTI US | $13,900 | installed, pre-incentive; reprints EnergySage data | 2026-09-28 | 2026-10-21 |
| Paradise Solar Energy | $26,140 | installed, pre-incentive; outlier, installer example | 2026-08-28 | 2026-10-21 |
| ConsumerAffairs | $13,962 | installed, pre-incentive | not stated | 2026-10-21 |
| NuWatt Energy | $16,200 | installed, pre-incentive | not stated | 2026-10-21 |
| The Green Watt | $12,500 to $16,000 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-04-15 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarBazaar | $12,500 to $17,500 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-10-07 | 2026-10-21 |
| Energy Rebate Calculator | $13,750 | installed, pre-incentive | not stated | 2026-10-21 |
| HomeRepairOne | $9,750 to $14,750 | installed, pre-incentive, value equipment | 2026-07 | 2026-10-21 |
| MySolarfy | $12,900 to $17,500 | installed, pre-incentive, illustrative | 2026-08-18 | 2026-10-21 |
Each row is a figure as the source states it, gross of incentives, not adjusted by us. The headline range is a HyreSolar calculation over these rows. No 30% federal credit is subtracted: Section 25D ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025.
6 kW system, installed total: 22 quotes, dated
6 kW system, installed total: $16,800–$19,200, the median low to the median high across the 22 comparable published figures below. The full spread runs from $14,460 to $24,000.
| Source | Published figure | Basis | Source date | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EnergySage | $16,080 | EnergySage size table, before incentives | 2026-06-30 (state table 2026-10-16) | 2026-10-21 |
| Fixr | $18,200 | Fixr table, before incentives | 2026-01-30 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarReviews | $19,140 | SolarReviews table, total cost pre-incentive | 2026-10 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarSavingsHub | $18,000 | gross table at $3.00/W (15 kW row inconsistent) | 2026-10-04 | 2026-10-21 |
| Nedes | $16,000 to $22,500 | gross, before incentives | 2026-08-27 | 2026-10-21 |
| Portlandia Electric Supply | $16,800 to $19,200 | gross, $2.80–$3.20/W band | 2026-06-06 (updated 2026-09) | 2026-10-21 |
| The Green Watt | $16,800 to $19,200 | owned, no federal credit | 2026-04-15 | 2026-10-21 |
| NRG Clean Power | $15,960 | estimated, before incentives (tracks EnergySage closely) | 2026-07-25 | 2026-10-21 |
| Solar Powered Tech | $17,700 to $24,000 | low=NREL benchmark $2.95/W, high=LBNL overall median $4.00/W, before incentives | 2026-09-24 | 2026-10-21 |
| RenCalc | $16,800 | illustrative at $2.80/W, before incentives | 2026-09-04 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarWattCalc | $18,000 | examples, before incentives | not stated | 2026-10-21 |
| Jouleio | $15,000 to $21,000 | gross, before incentives | 2026-05-18 | 2026-10-21 |
| solar.com | $20,160 | at $3.36/W SEIA/WoodMac benchmark | not stated | 2026-10-21 |
| ProHouseMaintenance | $18,000 | 6 kW cites NREL via SolarReviews; 12 kW cites EnergySage | 2026-06-01 | 2026-10-21 |
| EcoWatch | $19,980 | installed, pre-incentive | 2023-11-29 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarRatings | $15,000 to $21,000 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-06-06 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarBazaar | $15,000 to $21,000 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-10-07 | 2026-10-21 |
| MySolarfy | $15,480 to $21,000 | installed, pre-incentive, illustrative | 2026-08-18 | 2026-10-21 |
| RealCostIQ | $15,000 to $22,500 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-09-05 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarInsure | $14,460 to $20,040 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-10-14 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarScout | $16,200 to $17,100 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-04-10 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarInstallEstimate | $16,800 | installed, pre-incentive | not stated | 2026-10-21 |
Each row is a figure as the source states it, gross of incentives, not adjusted by us. The headline range is a HyreSolar calculation over these rows. No 30% federal credit is subtracted: Section 25D ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025.
10 kW system, installed total: 25 quotes, dated
10 kW system, installed total: $25,800–$30,400, the median low to the median high across the 25 comparable published figures below. The full spread runs from $24,100 to $40,000.
| Source | Published figure | Basis | Source date | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EnergySage | $25,800 | EnergySage size table, before incentives | 2026-06-30 (state table 2026-10-16) | 2026-10-21 |
| Fixr | $30,400 | Fixr table, before incentives | 2026-01-30 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarReviews | $28,600 | SolarReviews table, total cost pre-incentive | 2026-10 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarSavingsHub | $30,000 | gross table at $3.00/W (15 kW row inconsistent) | 2026-10-04 | 2026-10-21 |
| Nedes | $25,500 to $35,000 | gross, before incentives | 2026-08-27 | 2026-10-21 |
| Portlandia Electric Supply | $28,000 to $32,000 | gross, $2.80–$3.20/W band | 2026-06-06 (updated 2026-09) | 2026-10-21 |
| The Green Watt | $25,000 to $28,500 | owned, no federal credit | 2026-04-15 | 2026-10-21 |
| NRG Clean Power | $25,500 | estimated, before incentives (tracks EnergySage closely) | 2026-07-25 | 2026-10-21 |
| Solar Powered Tech | $29,500 to $40,000 | low=NREL benchmark $2.95/W, high=LBNL overall median $4.00/W, before incentives | 2026-09-24 | 2026-10-21 |
| RenCalc | $28,000 | illustrative at $2.80/W, before incentives | 2026-09-04 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarWattCalc | $25,000 to $35,000 | examples, before incentives | not stated | 2026-10-21 |
| Jouleio | $25,000 to $35,000 | gross, before incentives | 2026-05-18 | 2026-10-21 |
| solar.com | $33,600 | at $3.36/W SEIA/WoodMac benchmark | not stated | 2026-10-21 |
| BLUETTI US | $25,800 | installed, pre-incentive; reprints EnergySage data | 2026-09-28 | 2026-10-21 |
| EcoWatch | $26,600 | installed, pre-incentive, 2022 data | 2022-10-06 | 2026-10-21 |
| Paradise Solar Energy | $33,240 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-08-28 | 2026-10-21 |
| ConsumerAffairs | $27,924 | installed, pre-incentive | not stated | 2026-10-21 |
| NuWatt Energy | $25,800 | installed, pre-incentive | not stated | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarRatings | $25,000 to $35,000 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-06-06 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarBazaar | $25,000 to $35,000 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-10-07 | 2026-10-21 |
| Energy Rebate Calculator | $27,500 | installed, pre-incentive | not stated | 2026-10-21 |
| MySolarfy | $25,800 to $35,000 | installed, pre-incentive, illustrative | 2026-08-18 | 2026-10-21 |
| RealCostIQ | $25,000 to $37,500 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-09-05 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarInsure | $24,100 to $33,400 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-10-14 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarScout | $25,500 to $27,000 | installed, pre-incentive | 2026-04-10 | 2026-10-21 |
Each row is a figure as the source states it, gross of incentives, not adjusted by us. The headline range is a HyreSolar calculation over these rows. No 30% federal credit is subtracted: Section 25D ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025.
12 kW system, installed total: 14 quotes, dated
12 kW system, installed total: $31,100–$36,000, the median low to the median high across the 14 comparable published figures below. The full spread runs from $28,800 to $48,000.
| Source | Published figure | Basis | Source date | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EnergySage | $30,720 | EnergySage size table, before incentives | 2026-06-30 (state table 2026-10-16) | 2026-10-21 |
| Fixr | $36,500 | Fixr table, before incentives | 2026-01-30 | 2026-10-21 |
| SolarSavingsHub | $36,000 | gross table at $3.00/W (15 kW row inconsistent) | 2026-10-04 | 2026-10-21 |
| Nedes | $31,500 to $42,000 | gross, before incentives | 2026-08-27 | 2026-10-21 |
| Portlandia Electric Supply | $33,600 to $38,400 | gross, $2.80–$3.20/W band | 2026-06-06 (updated 2026-09) | 2026-10-21 |
| The Green Watt | $28,800 to $33,000 | owned, no federal credit | 2026-04-15 | 2026-10-21 |
| NRG Clean Power | $30,240 | estimated, before incentives (tracks EnergySage closely) | 2026-07-25 | 2026-10-21 |
| Solar Powered Tech | $35,400 to $48,000 | low=NREL benchmark $2.95/W, high=LBNL overall median $4.00/W, before incentives | 2026-09-24 | 2026-10-21 |
| Jouleio | $30,000 to $42,000 | gross, before incentives | 2026-05-18 | 2026-10-21 |
| SurgePV | $30,505 | gross; 12 kW is cited EnergySage example | 2026-07-19 | 2026-10-21 |
| GreenEnergyCalc | $31,135 | attributed to EnergySage (not independent) | 2026-10-02 | 2026-10-21 |
| ProHouseMaintenance | $30,505 | 6 kW cites NREL via SolarReviews; 12 kW cites EnergySage | 2026-06-01 | 2026-10-21 |
| Highjoule | $31,000 to $42,000 | US PV-only, owned rooftop, before incentives (3,000 sq ft / 12.0 kW row) | 2026-07-17 | 2026-10-22 |
| GreenEnergyCalc | $36,000 | National, 12.0 kW at $3.00/W, installed, no federal credit | 2026-09-29 | 2026-10-22 |
Each row is a figure as the source states it, gross of incentives, not adjusted by us. The headline range is a HyreSolar calculation over these rows. No 30% federal credit is subtracted: Section 25D ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025.
What moves the price at each size
Size sets the total, but not in a straight line. Fixed costs (design, permit, interconnection, crew mobilisation) are roughly the same for 5 kW and 12 kW, so the per-watt price of a small system is higher and a doubling in size costs less than double.
At any size the same factors then push the number up or down: roof material and pitch, the number of roof planes, inverter architecture, whether the service panel needs upgrading, local labor and permit fees.
How to choose the size before you price it
Size from twelve months of kilowatt-hours on your utility account, not from the bill total. Divide annual use by the expected yearly production per installed kilowatt for your location and orientation, then check the result fits the usable roof. The system size calculator runs those steps.
Where your utility pays well below retail for exported power, a system sized to daytime use can return more per dollar than one sized to the annual total. Bigger is not automatically better value.
How to check a quote
- 1Check the size against your own usage
A quote sized well above your annual kWh is selling you exports.
- 2Compare quotes of different sizes on cost per watt
Gross price ÷ DC watts. Cost per watt explains the traps.
- 3Confirm the panel count matches the size
Size ÷ panel wattage = panel count; the panel count tool checks it.
Questions
How much does an 8 kW solar system cost?
Does doubling the system size double the cost?
What size solar system do I need?
HyreSolar does not install or finance solar systems. The figures above are other publishers’ published prices, dated and linked; none is a quote for your property. Prices vary with location, roof, equipment, electrical work and financing.