Real pricing data, installation costs, and what to expect when going solar.
The average residential solar system costs $18,000–$25,000 installed in 2026 -- the federal residential tax credit that used to cut 30% off this price ended Dec 31, 2025. Here is the complete 2026 cost breakdown by system size, state, and financing type.
Solar panels are low-maintenance, but not zero-maintenance. Over a 25-year system life, most homeowners spend $3,000–$7,000 on upkeep — primarily one inverter replacement and occasional cleaning. Here is what to budget for.
Adding a battery to your solar system costs $8,000–$20,000 depending on capacity and brand. The Tesla Powerwall 3 remains the market leader, but newer competitors offer strong value. Here is what each option costs and when a battery makes financial sense.
Not every roof costs the same to install solar on. Asphalt shingle is the baseline; metal, tile, and flat roofs each add specialized mounting costs — here is what to expect for yours.
Home size is a rough proxy for energy usage, which drives system size and cost. Here is what to expect at each size range, and why your actual electric bill matters more than square footage alone.
If your roof needs replacing after solar is installed, panels have to come off and go back on. Here is what that actually costs and how to plan around it.
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