For many homeowners who want to install solar panels on their roofs, an 8-kilowatt (kW) solar energy system is the best size to significantly reduce electricity costs. Getting the right price for your solar panel installation and maximizing your long-term savings is easy when you compare your offers with the prices that other solar shoppers in your area see. Find out more about how much an 8 kW solar panel system costs; the amount of electricity you can expect your 8 kW system to produce daily, monthly, and annually; and the smartest way to shop for solar in EnergySage’s 8 kW solar panel system guide.
How much does an 8kW solar system cost?
As of January 2022, the average cost of solar in the U.S. is $2.77 per watt – which comes out to $22,160 for an 8-kilowatt system. That means that the total cost for an 8kW solar system would be $16,398 after the federal solar tax credit (not factoring in any additional state rebates or incentives).
8 kW solar panel system cost: what are solar shoppers paying in your state?
To give you a sense of the real prices solar shoppers are paying for 8 kW solar energy systems across the United States, we analyzed solar quotes from the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. Homeowners who join EnergySage can review and compare offers from multiple solar installers to find the right home solar panel system at the right price.
The prices included in the table below represent the range of prices that homeowners pay for an 8 kW solar energy system before the federal tax credit for solar has been deducted. Depending on where you live, you may also benefit from additional solar rebates and incentives that can cut your out-of-pocket solar costs even further. State and local governments, nonprofits, and utilities are a few of the organizations that offer incentives. If you live in a state with a market for solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs), you can also earn additional income by selling the SRECs generated by your solar panels.
Even if you live in an area without additional solar incentives or rebates, the federal tax credit significantly reduces costs. Either way, reviewing offers from multiple solar companies will ensure that you get the best price for your solar panel system. Homeowners who compare solar offers on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace can save 20 percent or more simply by evaluating multiple solar options from different companies.
How much does an 8,000 watt solar system cost in my state?
| State | 8 kW solar system price range (2018) |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $16,560 – $20,720 |
| California | $19,200 – $23,840 |
| Colorado | $22,560 – $27,520 |
| Florida | $17,120 – $21,920 |
| Massachusetts | $22,000 – $27,760 |
| Maryland | $20,080 – $26,640 |
| New Jersey | $19,200 – $25,440 |
| New York | $21,680 – $28,880 |
| Texas | $18,160 – $24,080 |
| Washington | $18,480 – $23,760 |
While these numbers offer guidance for homeowners beginning the solar shopping process, remember that there are many factors that determine the cost of your solar energy system. For example, if you want high-efficiency equipment or need special accommodations for a complicated roof, your system cost may be higher than the average. If you receive a quote from a solar company that is significantly higher or lower than the range for an 8 kW solar system in your state, simply ask the installer for an explanation – a reputable solar company will walk you through their proposal to you in detail.
How much electricity will an 8 kW solar system produce?
It shouldn’t surprise you to hear that the amount of sunshine where you live is the most important factor determining how much electricity your solar panels actually produce. If you install an 8 kW solar panel system on your roof in Las Vegas, you’ll produce about 30 percent more electricity than if you installed the same system on a roof in New York City. However, that doesn’t mean you have to live in Nevada for solar to be a good option for your home. Solar is a smart investment for everyone, and can be particularly beneficial for homeowners with high electricity bills.
In the table below, we have collected estimated average electricity production numbers for 8 kW solar energy systems in cities across the United States. For comparison, the average U.S. household uses 893 kilowatt-hours (kWh) a month, a total of 10,715 kWh per year. We used PV Watts, a tool from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, to develop these electricity output estimates.
Solar electricity output of an 8 kW solar panel system in U.S. cities
| City | Average daily kWh | Average monthly kWh | Average annual kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 32.5 | 988 | 11,853 |
| Boston, MA | 29.0 | 881 | 10,568 |
| Cleveland, OH | 26.6 | 809 | 9,713 |
| Denver, CO | 33.5 | 1019 | 12,223 |
| Hartford, CT | 27.3 | 830 | 9,958 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 38.6 | 1,173 | 14,071 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 34.7 | 1,055 | 12,661 |
| Miami, FL | 32.1 | 975 | 11,699 |
| New York City | 27.9 | 850 | 10,194 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 28.6 | 868 | 10,419 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 37.9 | 1,152 | 13,827 |
| Seattle, WA | 23.9 | 726 | 8,714 |
Maximize your solar savings by comparing your options
Ready to get started? When you join the EnergySage Solar Marketplace, you can compare offers from multiple solar companies to get the best price on your solar installation. EnergySage offers comprehensive, easy-to-understand comparison tables that make it easy to review all of your equipment options and financing offers, as well as solar company reviews. When you compare multiple solar quotes, you can feel confident that you’re making the smartest investment possible for your home.
