Installing solar panels on your home promises the rarest of opportunities: to profit while doing good. This powerful motivation has already seen more than 2 million homeowners install solar panels. In August 2022, SolarReviews.com saw more than 115,000 homeowners request quotes for residential solar systems.

However, the economics of solar can be vastly different depending on where you live, what your utility company charges for electricity, and how much power your specific home uses. 

This is why we start our Solar Panels for Home Beginners Guide with our solar payback estimator that calculates the economics of solar based on your zip code and the amount of your current electric bill.

How much do solar panels cost for an average home in 2024?

The average residential solar panel installation cost today is between $12,390 and $15,960 after claiming the 30% federal solar tax credit (more about that below). This works out to less than $3.00 per watt installed on average, which is 70% cheaper than the cost of solar just 10 years ago!

*Based on 400-watt panels

Solar panels have next to no long-term maintenance costs, so solar is mostly a one-time investment. Solar prices have leveled out over the last few years, and we don’t forecast substantial price falls over the course of 2024.

How much will solar panels cost for your specific house based on your location and energy use?

While the average price of solar is interesting, your house is unlikely to be average. What you really need to know is how much solar panels will cost to install on your particular house given its location, electricity usage, and what kind of savings and payback period can you expect.

SolarReviews has developed a very sophisticated solar panel cost and savings estimator that can answer this question for you based on your local weather, your local utility rates, and the prices of your local solar companies.

We get it - $12,000 isn’t pocket change. Luckily, there are many zero-down solar financing options available, like solar loans, that allow you to go solar and start saving the minute the panels are turned on without having to worry about any large upfront costs. We recommend solar loans rather than leases because you keep the solar tax credits.

With solar leases, the leasing company gets tax credits, and if you sell your home, the buyer needs to accept the assignment of the solar lease. With a solar loan, you own the system so this is not necessary.

Note for new solar enthusiasts: Solar system capacity is measured in watts and kilowatts. One kilowatt ("kW") is 1,000 watts. The kilowatt rating of a system is a measurement of the maximum generation capacity of the system.

Will installing solar panels on my house be a good investment?

In some areas, installing a solar panel system on your house can now offer a better return than traditional investments like property or shares. However, this is not the case in every situation. The residential solar calculator above will help you determine whether solar panels are suitable for your home and give you local information about costs, savings, tax credits, and other local incentives.  

The calculator above will also show you what your payback period is likely to be based on your location and energy use.

What are solar panels and how do they work?

To sum it up, sunlight hits the solar panels and shakes up the electrons within the cells, which creates a flow of electricity that is then sent to the system’s solar inverter. The inverter converts the electricity into usable electricity that can power everything in your home, from your lights to your fridge. 

Some solar panel systems also include a solar battery, which will store extra solar energy the panels produce for use later. Keep in mind, not all solar panels are installed with solar batteries. In fact, most solar panel systems are not paired with batteries, but they are becoming increasingly popular. 

The good news is that you can install and benefit from solar with no technical understanding of how solar works. Once the solar company installs the system, it runs itself and requires no involvement from the homeowner. If you are interested in the more technical aspects of solar, you can take a look at our in-depth breakdown of how solar panels work. 

What are the different types of solar systems you can get for your home?

Until recently, most solar systems that were installed on homes were simple grid-tied systems because this is the cheapest type of solar system. Their low cost means they offer the quickest payback. However, these systems switch off when the utility grid is down, so they do not offer backup power when the grid is out.

More and more people are now considering adding solar batteries to their solar systems so that they have backup power if the electric grid is down. Residential solar systems with battery backup that are also connected to the utility grid are called hybrid solar systems.

There is a third type: off-grid solar systems. However, few people elect to go off-grid unless they live in a remote area because off-grid systems are expensive.

Do solar panels really save money? Do they pay for themselves?

Yes, solar panels really do save you money. In many cases, panels can save well over $50,000 throughout their lifetime. You can expect your solar panels to pay themselves off after four to eight years. After that, your panels will be making you completely free electricity for 20 years! 

The reason that solar savings can add up to such large sums of money is because of the compounding effect of electric rate inflation. If you don't get solar, then the price you pay for electricity will go up, and up, and up over the years. Solar panels are like an insurance policy against increasing electric rates.

While this may sound too good to be true, worry not - solar is not a scam. The other reason why solar panels provide such great savings is because of a utility program called net metering, which most states have, that lets you sell any excess solar electricity your solar panels produce during the day back to your utility company at the same rate you buy electricity at night. 

It’s important to note that not all net metering policies are created equal, and many utilities are fighting to cut back on net metering programs if they haven’t done so already. By installing solar now, you’re guaranteed to receive net metering for at least 10 years, which protects your investment against any future changes in net metering. 

Do solar panels work when the power goes out?

Most people think that solar panels will keep their lights going when the power goes out. Unfortunately, unless you add battery storage (a hybrid system), they won’t. 

Solar power systems automatically go offline in the event of a grid power outage as a safety measure for utility workers who are repairing power lines. 

The only way solar panels will power your home during a blackout is if they are paired with battery storage.

What are solar batteries? How much do they cost?

Solar batteries store your excess solar energy so you can use it when you need it most, like during a power outage. Instead of sending your excess energy to the grid with net metering, it is sent to your battery, where it is stored for you to use later.

Most home solar batteries cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to install, so they add a substantial amount to the total cost of a solar installation. However, in a number of states, there are specific rebates to cut the cost of adding batteries to your solar system. It is also worth noting that the 30% federal solar investment tax credit applies to batteries and helps reduce the cost significantly.

Despite the high price tag, solar batteries are cheaper and more popular than ever before as more homeowners want to protect themselves from widespread power outages. In fact, around 70% of people that use our website to request quotes from local solar companies ask for battery storage. This number is up from less than 50% only three years ago. Blackouts are becoming more common throughout the U.S., and what better way to keep your lights on than a solar battery?

In the future, solar batteries will only become more popular, especially as more utilities put an end to net metering. Without net metering, you wouldn’t be paid for all of the solar electricity you produce. By storing your extra energy in a battery, you’ll still get the full value of your solar energy, even if your utility doesn’t have a great net metering program.

How long does it take to install home solar panels?

A solar installation usually takes one to three days to complete, sometimes more, depending on the complexity of the system. But the installation is just one step in the process of going solar.

When all is said and done, it can take between two and three months to get solar installed from the time you sign an agreement with an installer to the time the system is turned on. The biggest holdups are due to solar permitting and utility approval, which, depending on where you live, can add months to the installation process. 

The good news is that many solar companies are pushing for quicker permitting processes so homeowners can start saving with the sun as soon as possible. 

Are there solar incentives or tax credits available?

The most well-known solar incentive is the federal solar tax credit, also called the Clean Energy Tax Credit or the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides homeowners with a tax credit equal to 30% of the total cost of a solar panel installation. Battery installation costs are covered, as well.

The 30% tax credit is available until the end of 2032. At the start of 2033, the value of the tax credit drops to 26% and falls again to 22% in 2034. The tax credit expires completely in 2035 for residential solar installations. 

The solar tax credit isn’t the only incentive for going solar. There are tons of solar incentives throughout the U.S., even ones just for battery storage! Keep in mind these incentives might not be around for as long as the federal tax credit.

To maximize your solar savings, it’s best to go solar sooner rather than later so you can take advantage of as many rebates as possible. You can get a better idea of the savings you can get through rebates and incentives in your area with our detailed state solar incentive guides.

How many solar panels do you need to power a home?

We’re going to be honest with you, the question ‘How many solar panels do I need?’ isn’t that helpful, and frankly, it makes things more complicated than they need to be. The exact number of panels on your roof varies depending on the specific brand and model of the solar panels chosen. 

The more relevant question is, “What size solar panel system do I need?” Solar systems are measured in watts (W) and kilowatts (kW) where the kW rating is the maximum generation of the system installed. An average size system in 2023 is around 8 kW and uses 400-watt solar panel models, meaning on average, people are installing around 20 panels.

If you want to know the number of solar panels you need to power your specific home, you can use the solar panel cost calculator.

If you would prefer a more detailed explanation of solar system sizing and how it is calculated, you can read our article on the topic.

Is a DIY solar installation a good idea?

While you can install solar panels yourself, it may not be the best idea simply because of the potential danger involved. DIY solar installations let you save money on labor costs, and you can even find DIY solar kits online, which range from $8,000 to $10,000. 

However, the potential savings may not be worth the risk: you’re working on a roof, plus you’re completing electrical work. Not to mention, you’ll need to work out all of the permitting and planning yourself, which can be hard to navigate. You also run the risk of voiding out warranties and not qualifying for certain incentives.

So, while you can install solar yourself, we don’t advise it. DIY may save you a buck, but going with a professional installer will save you a headache. 

How do you find the right solar installer?

The best way to find the right solar installer for your specific needs is by getting multiple solar quotes. Not only does this let you get a feel for each of the installation companies, but it also helps you find the best possible price. 

Sure, you could go with a large company like Tesla and save a few dollars, but you get what you pay for. Those large installers won’t give you the kind of personalized customer service you need over the 25-year lifespan of your solar panels. 

At SolarReviews, we recommend going with a reliable local solar installer. You should look for a company that employs its own installation crew and has been in business for five or more years. You can look through our database of trusted solar installers in your area, and read through hundreds of customer reviews to find the perfect installer for you. 

Are solar panels worth it for your home?

Solar panels are almost always a worthwhile investment, especially in places with solid net metering policies and local solar incentives. 

Of course, there are certain scenarios in which rooftop solar panels aren’t a good fit, like if you have nowhere to put the system, you plan to move soon, or your energy costs are already low. 

Learn more: 7 reasons why you should hold off on installing solar panels

To guarantee that you have access to net metering and the 30% tax credit, the best time to go solar is now. Plus, you’ll get to see solar savings sooner, which puts more money in your pocket to use on things you actually care about - instead of your electric bill. 

Installing solar panels not only allows you to save big on your electric bills, but it also helps you lower your carbon footprint while giving you more independence, especially when you pair solar with battery storage. 

Although battery storage doesn’t make sense financially everywhere just yet, as we see more states eliminating net metering and blackouts becoming more common, more homeowners will start adopting storage along with solar panels. 

The best way to know if solar is right for you is to use our solar calculator. Our state-of-the-art calculator provides accurate cost and savings estimates for your specific home, so you can get a better idea of whether or not solar is a worthwhile investment for you.