Solar Panel Installation Cost: What to Charge Per Watt in 2026
6 min read·Updated June 2026
The short answer
Residential solar runs about $2.50 to $3.50 per watt installed before incentives. That puts a small 5 kW system around $12,000 to $18,000 and a 10 kW or larger system at $25,000 to $40,000.
Typical prices
- Per watt installed: $2.50 to $3.50 (before incentives)
- Small system (around 5 kW): $12,000 to $18,000
- Mid system (around 8 kW): $18,000 to $28,000
- Large system (10 kW and up): $25,000 to $40,000
What changes the price
- System size in kilowatts.
- Roof type, pitch, and complexity.
- Panel and inverter quality.
- Permitting, interconnection, and electrical upgrades.
Sell the payback, not the sticker
The gross price looks large, so quote per watt for transparency and sell the payback period after incentives, not the headline number. Itemize permitting and any panel upgrade so the main figure stays clean. Use the free calculator to ground your per-watt price.
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