Independent solar research · Updated Aug 2026

Solar panels for your home, explained without the sales pitch.

Real prices, real efficiency numbers, and plain answers on financing — so you know what a fair quote looks like before anyone knocks on your door.

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Most solar sites push you straight to a form. We'd rather you understand the three numbers that decide whether solar pays off on your roof.

01 — AWARENESS

How the hardware works

Panel types, efficiency ratings, inverters, batteries. Enough to read a proposal without nodding along.

02 — CONSIDERATION

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Side-by-side breakdowns of the panels, inverters and installers you'll actually be offered.

03 — DECISION

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When you're ready, one address gets you a price built from live bids for your exact roof.

Incentives · Updated August 2026

What you can still claim in 2026.

Federal tax credit
30% via TPO only

Closed for homeowner-owned systems after 2025. Third-party-owned structures still pass it through as an upfront discount.

State & utility rebates
$0–$8,500

Performance payments, SRECs and upfront rebates vary by ZIP. We track every active program in the DSIRE database.

Net metering
34 states

Export credit rules decide half your savings. Where net metering has been cut, a battery usually changes the math.

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Latest articles.

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Cost

Solar panel cost in 2026: real prices + financing

What a fair price per watt looks like this year, state by state.

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Brands

Best solar panels 2026: top brands ranked

Ranked on degradation rate, warranty terms and real street price.

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Savings

Is solar worth it? A complete ROI analysis

Break-even math with the assumptions written out, not hidden.

How we research

No installer can buy a ranking here.

We earn a referral fee when a reader requests a quote — never for recommending a specific brand or installer. Every figure on this site traces to a public dataset or a live bid.

Priced from real bids
Cost ranges come from installer bids placed in the last 90 days, not manufacturer MSRP.
Reviewed by installers
Technical articles are checked by NABCEP-certified installers before publication.
Updated quarterly
Incentives and tax-credit rules change. Every article carries a visible last-reviewed date.
FAQ

What homeowners ask us.

How much do solar panels cost in 2026?+

Nationally, installed residential systems run about $2.40–$3.10 per watt before incentives, so a typical 7.2 kW system lands between $17,000 and $22,000. State labor rates, roof complexity and permitting move that more than panel brand does.

Didn't the federal tax credit end?+

The 30% credit for homeowner-owned systems closed after 2025. Third-party-owned structures can still claim it at the provider level and pass it through as an upfront discount, which is why prepaid TPO often beats a loan now.

How many panels will my roof need?+

Divide your annual kWh usage by your local production factor, then by panel wattage. For most US homes that's 15–22 panels. Our sizing guide walks through the arithmetic with your own utility bill.

Is monocrystalline worth paying more for?+

On a small or shaded roof, yes — higher efficiency buys you more production per square foot. On a large unshaded roof, the cheaper panel usually wins on cost per kWh produced.

Do you sell my information to installers?+

No. Reading this site puts you on no list. If you request a quote, your address goes to one bidding platform — installers see the roof, not your phone number, until you choose to talk.

More questions answered → Prefer a number instead? Get your quote →

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