No jargon. No pushy salespeople. Just clear answers on solar panel costs, savings, and whether it's right for your home.
3.1M homes added solar in 2025
Avg grid rate: $0.1844/kWh
Panel prices down 42% since 2020
Avg annual savings on electricity
Typical payback period (no tax credit)
Per watt installed (2026 avg)
Panel warranty life
Pick your biggest question and we'll give you a straight answer â no fluff.
Simple explanation of how panels turn sunlight into electricity â and why it matters for your bill.
Read the guide â
Average install prices, what drives the cost, and why there's no federal tax credit this year.
See the numbers â
Enter your electric bill and state. Get a real estimate of system size, cost, and payback period.
Use the calculator â
The top-rated residential solar panels for 2026, ranked by efficiency, warranty, and value.
See top picks â
Federal tax credit ended in 2025. Here's what state programs and utility rebates are still available.
Check your state â
RV, camping, van life, emergency backup â the best portable solar setups for your lifestyle.
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Enter your monthly electric bill. We'll estimate system size, total cost, monthly savings, and full payback timeline â all based on real 2026 install prices and your state's sun hours.
Calculate My Solar SavingsSolar panels are made of photovoltaic (PV) cells â small silicon wafers that release electrons when struck by photons of light. Those electrons flow through wiring as direct current (DC) electricity.
An inverter converts that DC into the AC power your home uses. Any excess electricity flows back to your utility (net metering) or gets stored in a battery.
At night, or when your panels don't produce enough, you draw from the grid normally. You only pay for the net difference.
Full Explainer âSolar cells absorb photons and release electrons, generating direct current (DC) electricity.
The inverter transforms DC into AC electricity â the same kind that powers your outlets.
Solar power runs your appliances first. Surplus flows to the grid or your battery.
Net metering credits you for electricity you send to the grid â reducing your next bill.
Prices reflect installed cost with no federal tax credit (eliminated Jan 1, 2026). State incentives may still apply.
Important 2026 update: The 30% federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) was eliminated when the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed July 4, 2025. Systems installed in 2026 and beyond receive no federal tax credit. Some leases/PPAs still offer indirect savings through commercial credits.
| Home Size | Avg Monthly Bill | System Size | Installed Cost | Annual Savings | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (1â2 bed) | $80â110 | 4â5 kW | $11,200â17,500 | $960â1,320 | 9â13 yrs |
| Medium (3 bed) | $130â180 | 6â8 kW | $16,800â28,000 | $1,560â2,160 | 8â11 yrs |
| Large (4+ bed) | $200â280 | 9â12 kW | $25,200â42,000 | $2,400â3,360 | 8â12 yrs |
| High-use / EV | $300â450 | 13â18 kW | $36,400â63,000 | $3,600â5,400 | 7â10 yrs |
Estimates based on $2.80â3.50/watt national average. Actual costs vary by installer, location, and roof complexity. Use the calculator for a personalized estimate.
For camping, RVs, van life, and emergency backup power. No installation. No electrician. Just plug and go.
Explore Portable OptionsNot ready for a full roof installation? Portable solar panels let you start generating clean energy today â for camping trips, emergency backup, or powering your RV or van.
The best portable solar kits pair a foldable panel (100â400W) with a portable power station. You can charge it from your car or with solar panels. Great beginner setup, and products are available on Amazon for $200â$2,000.
See Best Portable Kits âYes â especially in states with high electricity rates. California, New York, Massachusetts, and Hawaii residents often see payback periods under 8 years even without the 30% federal credit. Solar panels also add $15,000â25,000 to home resale value, which partially offsets the upfront cost. Use our savings calculator to see numbers specific to your state.
The residential solar Investment Tax Credit (Section 25D) was eliminated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed on July 4, 2025. It had been extended through 2032 by the Inflation Reduction Act, but Congress reversed that. Systems installed before December 31, 2025 still qualified for 30%. State credits and utility rebates are still available in many states.
Most quality solar panels are warrantied for 25â30 years and will produce electricity for 30â40 years. They degrade about 0.5% per year in efficiency. A panel producing 400W today will still produce about 380W in 25 years. The inverter (5â15 year warranty) is usually the first component that needs replacing.
Yes â though at reduced output (10â25% of peak capacity on heavily overcast days). Diffuse light still generates electricity; solar systems are designed around average sun hours, not just peak sunny days. Germany, one of the cloudiest developed nations, is one of the world's top solar producers.
A battery (like the Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ) adds $8,000â15,000 to the cost but gives you backup power during outages and lets you use solar power at night. If your utility has strong net metering (pays good rates for exported power), a battery is less necessary. If you have frequent outages or your utility's net metering rate is low, a battery pays off faster.