As of 2026, the average cost of residential solar panels in the U. is between $15,000 and $25,000 before incentives. This typically translates to about $2. 50 per watt of installed capacity (more on price per watt below). . Switching to solar energy is a major decision for homeowners looking to reduce energy bills and move toward a sustainable lifestyle. Understanding the cost and the number of solar panels needed for a 1000 sq ft home requires evaluating several key factors: energy consumption, panel efficiency, roof. . NLR analyzes the total costs associated with installing photovoltaic (PV) systems for residential rooftop, commercial rooftop, and utility-scale ground-mount systems. If you own a 1000 square foot home, you might be wondering how much it costs to install solar panels and how much energy you need to fully offset your. . Solar panel installation costs a national average of $18,180 for a 6kW solar panel system for a 1,500 square ft. 50 and largely depends on the home's geographical area. Residential solar panels are usually sized between 3 kW and 8. . Our estimator shows how many solar panels your home needs We generate an online cost and savings estimate You choose how many solar companies send you an exact price by email or text Click on your state for solar panels cost localized to your city or use the solar calculator above to see the live. .