What is the average cost of solar power per kilowatt hour (kWh) in the US today? Currently, residential solar power often lands between $0. 15 per kWh, although utility-scale projects achieve even lower rates. Your actual cost depends on your home's energy needs, roof characteristics, location and other factors, all of which we'll break down in. . As of 2026, the average cost of residential solar panels in the U. is between $15,000 and $25,000 before incentives. This typically translates to about $2. 5 kW system, but prices can vary from as little as $7,700 for smaller solar systems to upward of $34,700 for larger systems. To find the most up-to-date solar panel costs in 2025, we compared research from the U. The rising cost of electricity is a significant factor contributing to the attractiveness of solar energy.