If you pay cash, the average system costs $13,962 to $27,924 before any government help or incentives. Most people break even in 6 to 12 years. You can get solar with little or no money down through loans and leases. The average solar shopper saves between $37,000 and $154,000 over 25 years—not including any potential incentives—transforming what feels like a significant upfront cost into substantial long-term savings. With electricity rates climbing about 2. 8% annually, the financial case for solar panels is. Solar panels cost about $21,816 on average when purchased with cash or $26,004 when purchased with a loan for a 7. As with any major home improvement, it pays to sketch out a budget and research what's involved. 50 per watt fully installed in 2026. The federal 30 % Section 25D tax credit ended on 2025-12-31 — 2026 buyers do not receive the.