Solar cost & savings: frequently asked questions
Straight answers from published 2026 industry data — the same data behind our free solar estimator. Every figure below is a range, because exact prices from a web page are fiction. See exactly how we calculate →
How much do solar panels cost per watt in 2026?
Residential installed cost in 2026 runs $2.50–$3.50 per watt before incentives (SEIA / Wood Mackenzie: $2.58/W national average; EnergySage: ~$2.75/W quoted). A typical 8 kW system therefore costs roughly $20,000–$28,000 installed. Price per watt falls with system size and varies by market. Price a system for your home →
Is there still a federal solar tax credit in 2026?
No — for homeowner purchases. The 30% residential credit (Section 25D) expired for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, when the One Big Beautiful Bill Act cut short the IRA's schedule. Many online calculators still subtract it; that math is stale and makes solar look ~30% cheaper than it is. State and local incentives still exist — check DSIRE (dsireusa.org) for your state. Why we show $0 →
What is the payback period for solar panels in 2026?
Typically 9–12 years without the federal credit (versus 6–8 years when the 30% credit existed). High-rate states like California and Hawaii pay back faster; low-rate states like Louisiana take longer. Net-metering rules matter as much as sunshine — reduced export credits stretch payback even in sunny states. Estimate your payback →
What is net metering, and does my state still have it?
Net metering credits you for electricity your panels export to the grid. Most states still offer full retail credit, but a growing group pays reduced rates: California's NEM 3.0 credits roughly 5–8¢/kWh against 40–55¢ retail, and states like Alabama and Tennessee pay wholesale rates near 4–5¢. Your state's tier is built into our estimator. How we model it →
What size solar system do I need?
Size from your electricity usage, not your home's square footage — a big efficient home can need a smaller system than a small wasteful one. Divide annual kWh by your region's production ratio (roughly 1,200–1,800 kWh per kW per year across the US) and adjust for roof direction and shading. Most US homes land at 6–10 kW. Size yours →
Is a home battery worth it in 2026?
For bill savings alone: usually only where export credits are low (e.g., California's NEM 3.0), since batteries let you use more of your own power instead of exporting it cheaply. Under full retail net metering, a $8,000–$12,000 battery rarely pays for itself — buy it for backup power, not payback. Compare with and without →
How much does roof direction and shading matter?
A lot. South-facing is the baseline; west or east-facing roofs produce roughly 90% as much, north-facing about 70%. Some shade cuts production to ~85%, heavy shade to ~65%. These are planning estimates — exact shading needs a professional site survey. See the effect →
How much can solar panels save over 25 years?
A typical 6 kW system saves roughly $35,000+ over 25 years without the federal credit (versus $45,000+ with it), assuming 3–4% annual utility rate growth. High-rate states save substantially more; low-rate states less. Run your 25-year number →
Can renters get solar panels?
Generally no — rooftop solar requires owning the home (or the landlord's agreement and cooperation). Renters should look into community solar programs, which exist in many states and require no installation. Our estimator is for homeowners →
How accurate are online solar calculators?
As ranges built from real data: useful. As exact prices: fiction — and many are stale, still subtracting the expired 30% federal credit. Distrust any calculator that demands your phone number before showing numbers, or shows a suspiciously precise single price. Ours shows ranges, publishes its sources, sets the credit to $0, and asks for nothing. Try it →