Solar Panel Cost in 2025 & Are They Worth It

Solar panel costs have dramatically decreased over the past few years, making renewable energy much more accessible to everyone. The price per watt of solar energy is usually around $3.00, but the total cost depends on many factors, such as equipment type, location, and sunlight availability. Many people power their homes with solar energy, and it is expected that many more will start using solar power as a renewable energy source. 

Jackery Solar Generators combine foldable solar panels and portable power stations to charge appliances regardless of weather conditions. The combination ensures that you can store the power generated by the portable solar panels during the day in the portable power station for later use. Many Jackery Solar Generators are eligible for a 30% tax rebate, so you can reduce the overall cost of investing in the solar system. 

Solar Panel Cost

Solar panels for an average 2000-square-foot home can cost between $15,000 and $22,500 before the incentives. However, the exact PV system price will vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the system, the installation company, and the other equipment. The 30% federal solar tax credit can reduce the solar panel cost to $10,500 and $15,750. 

Average Solar Panel Cost 

According to a survey by Statista, the average cost of solar panels has declined steadily from 2010 to 2023. For example, the average price of solar PV systems stood at $758 in 2023, decreasing from $908 in 2022. 

Here's a table showing the average solar panel cost declination over the past decade.

Commercial Solar Panel Cost 

The US Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) launched the SunShot initiative to reduce the overall cost of solar panels. In 2010, the cost of commercial solar panels was 39 cents/kWh, which decreased to 9 cents/kWh in 2020. According to Energy.gov, the commercial solar panel cost will be reduced to 4 cents per kWh by the end of 2030. 

Solar Panel Battery Cost 

A solar panel battery costs between $6000 and $12,000, depending on their type and size. A home solar battery lets you store excess power for later use, such as during power outages or blackouts. Generally, a lithium solar battery is more expensive than a lead-acid battery because the former is more efficient, lighter, and powerful. 

Solar Panel Cost Per Watt vs Per kWh 

There are two ways to calculate the cost of solar panels. While the solar panel price per watt ($/W) is helpful for comparing multiple offers, the cost per kilowatt-hour (cents/kWh) is useful in comparing the cost of solar versus grid energy. Let's explain each of them briefly: 

Solar Panel Cost Per Watt 

You will typically have to pay $3 to $5 per watt before applying the 30% tax credits and other incentives. For example, a 6000-watt solar system would cost between $18,000 and $30,000. 

Cost Per Watt = Total System Cost ÷ System Wattage 

However, factors such as smaller system sizes, premium panels, and inverter models can increase the overall solar panel cost by watts. This will help you compare solar quotes to choose the best one. 

Let's take an example to calculate solar panel cost per watt: 

The Jackery SolarSaga 500X Solar Panels cost $999 and have an output of 500W. 

Cost Per Watt = $999 ÷ 500W = $1.9/W 

Similarly, you can calculate the cost per watt of the Jackery SolarSaga 100W and Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels, which have wattages of around 100W and 200W, respectively. 

For Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels: 

Cost Per Watt = $699 ÷ 200W = $3.4/W 

For Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panels: 

Cost Per Watt = $299 ÷ 100W = $2.9/W 

Solar Panel Cost Per kWh 

While the price per watt considers the size of the solar system, the cost per kWh shows the price of the solar system per unit of energy it generates over a given period of time. Here is the mathematical representation of the solar panel cost per kWh:

Cost Per kWh = Net Cost of the Solar System ÷ Lifetime Output 

Solar panel cost per kWh illustrates the value of solar power relative to buying power from the electricity grid. For example, the average solar system cost is between 6 and 8 cents per kWh. However, it will depend on the type of equipment, size of the system, and local incentives. 

Solar Panel Cost for Home 

The cost of the solar panel will depend on your household's electricity consumption. Other factors contribute to the price of the solar panel system, such as cost per square foot, roof cost, cleaning cost, and installation cost. 

The cost also depends on your household's energy needs and the appliances you wish to power. For example, if you're considering powering a refrigerator with solar energy, you may need 2-4 solar panels for the refrigerator, depending on its size and energy consumption. 

You can also use a solar panel cost calculator to understand how much you need to pay for the solar system that fits your needs. 

Solar Panel Cost Per Square Foot 

On average, solar panels cost for a home is nearly $8.77 per square foot of living space, which includes the 30% tax credit. However, the actual cost of a solar panel per square foot will vary depending on the size of the home. 

For example, the post-tax credit cost of a solar panel for a 2500-square-foot home calculates to $20,000 for a rate of around $7.96 per square foot. However, the solar panel cost per square foot increases to $12.83 for a 1500 square footage of living space. 

Solar Panel Roof Cost 

The average cost of installing rooftop solar panels is between $13,000 and $20,000, but it can be as high as $40,000 depending on the roof size, location, system size, and complexity levels. This is because the solar panel roof costs include mounting hardware, inverters, and hardware. 

Solar Panel Cleaning Cost 

The cost of cleaning the solar panels ranges between $8 and $30 per panel. Depending on the number and type of solar panels, the solar panel cleaning cost could be anywhere between $150 and $300 per visit and $500 - $700 annually. 

Solar Panel Installation Cost 

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the cost of solar panel installation accounts for around 5.5% of the total cost of a residential solar project. That amounts to $1375 for a $25,000 solar system. However, it is worth noting that the solar panel installation costs vary depending on the local wage and scope of the project. 

How Much Money Does a Solar Panel Save 

Homeowners in the US can save money by powering their home appliances with solar panels instead of purchasing electricity from the grid. The exact amount of money you save will vary depending on various factors, such as utility electricity rates, electricity consumption, system cost, and energy goals. 

Let's compare the average cost of a solar system to the average price of utility electricity in each US state: 

Source: EIA  

According to the calculation, it costs nearly 46 cents to dry a load of laundry with grid electricity in New York, whereas it costs only 14 cents if you use solar power. 

Here's a chart that compares the cumulative spending of solar vs grid electricity in an average US household: 

Remember that a solar system might require a high initial fee, but you can use it a lot in the long run. 

Tax Rebate for Solar Power

According to the IRS, if you invest in renewable energy for your home, you are entitled to receive an annual residential clean energy tax credit. The credit equals 30% of the cost of a new, qualified, clean energy property for the home installed anywhere from 2022 to 2032. 

If you invest in the Jackery Solar Generator, you will be qualified to earn a 30% tax rebate on the purchase. For example, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kits and Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus combine power stations and solar panels, though the exact amount will depend on the cost of the system. Here's a list of products that qualify for a tax rebate: 

• Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus: Up to $1049.7 in Rebates
• Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus: Up to $1049.7 in Rebates
• Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro: Up to $839.7 in Rebates
• Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Double Kit: Up to $1,289.7 in Rebates
• Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh): Up to $1,139.7 in Rebates
• Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh): Up to $1,589.7 in Rebates
• Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro: Up to $839.7 in Rebates
• Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus (4kWh): Up to $1,139.7 in Rebates
• Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus (6kWh): Up to $1,589.7 in Rebates

Jackery Solar Power Cost 

Jackery is a leading solar brand manufacturer that offers high-quality solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations. Jackery offers a welcome gift with a $200 coupon for the first registration so you can save more on the solar system investment. Below, we will recommend two large-capacity solar generators that can charge most appliances with solar energy: 

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus 

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a reliable solar-powered generator that can power 99% of household appliances, such as refrigerators, lights, TVs, heating systems, etc. The solar system includes a Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station and 2*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels that cost around $3099. If you wish to enjoy complete off-grid living, the battery capacity can be extended from 2kWh to 24kWh with the add-on battery packs. 

Customer Review 

"Plan to use it at my home for emergency situations if/when the power goes out, which is thankfully not typically very often. During a day of testing, it performed well running our kitchen refrigerator, home Wi-Fi, lamp, and fan, plus separately an air fryer and coffee maker."—Frederick R.

Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is one of the most trusted home battery backup solutions. It can charge almost all household appliances for hours or even days. The solar system costs $4,999, and you can even save $1049.7 in tax rebates that lower the overall cost. It can be connected to the home's electricity system with the help of the Jackery Smart Transfer Switch to switch from grid electricity to battery backup in times of a power outage or blackout. 

Customer Review 

"The product is beautifully designed, comes packaged well, and works very well. The switching to the backup power is almost instantaneous during an outage." — Paul Semenoff. 

Solar Panel Cost FAQ

How much does one solar panel cost? 

The average cost of a solar panel depends on its type, output, material, etc. For example, the Jackery SolarSaga 500X Solar Panels, built with highly efficient monocrystalline silicon solar cells, cost around $999 and have a power output of 500W.

Conclusion 

Reduced solar panel costs, coupled with rising electricity prices, have made homeowners switch from utility electricity to solar systems. While the high price tag for solar systems might shock people, it is essential to note that going solar can be worthwhile in the long run. Remember, solar systems may cost more upfront, but they are much more affordable than buying electricity from the utility grid. Jackery Solar Generators are robust home battery backups that can help you cut down on electricity costs.