How much does a 3.5 kW solar panel system cost?

3.5 kW solar systems (or 3,500 watts) are the average consumption size for smaller households. When you decide to invest in home solar panels, the cost to install the system on your roof is one of the most significant factors determining your long-term solar savings. Want to know the best way to ensure you get a good deal? Compare your solar quotes with the prices other solar shoppers paid for solar systems in your neighborhood. Learn more about the cost of 3.5 kW solar systems, how much electricity they can produce, and the smartest way to shop for solar.

As of January 2022, the average cost of solar in the U.S. is $2.77 per watt ($9,695 for a 3.5-kilowatt system). That means the total cost for a 3.5kW solar system would be $7,174 after the federal solar tax credit (not factoring in additional state rebates or incentives).

3.5 kW solar panel system cost: what are average prices in your state?

Using data from the EnergySage Solar Marketplace, the largest comparison-shopping platform for homeowners looking to install a solar panel system, we analyzed the range of prices that solar shoppers were quoted for 3.5 kW solar energy systems across the United States.

The prices in the table below represent what you can expect to pay before the federal tax credit for solar has been deducted. Depending on where you live, other solar rebates and incentives from the state government, local government, or your utility might reduce your upfront costs even further. If there's a market for solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) in your state, you may also be able to sell the SRECs your system generates for extra income.

Even if you live in an area that doesn't offer additional solar incentives or rebates, reviewing offers from multiple solar companies guarantees you the best price for your solar panel system. Homeowners who compare solar offers on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace save 20 percent simply by shopping around for the best solar option for their homes.

How much does a 3,500-watt solar system cost in my state?

While these numbers are a good starting point, remember that what you pay for your solar energy system depends on many factors. If you see an offer from a solar company significantly higher or lower than the range for a 3.5 kW solar system in your state, ask them for an explanation. More efficient equipment or special accommodations for your roof can impact system price, and a reputable solar installer will be able to explain their proposal to you in detail.

Sunshine is the most important factor determining how much electricity your solar panels will produce. For example, if you install a 3.5 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 Philadelphia. However, that doesn't mean you have to live in Nevada for solar to be a good option for your home – solar is a wise investment wherever electricity rates are high.

In the table below, you'll find estimated average electricity production numbers for 3 kW solar energy systems in cities across the United States. As a 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 National Renewable Energy Laboratory tool, to develop these estimates.

Solar electricity output of 3.5 kW solar panel systems in major U.S. cities

Ready to get started? When you shop for solar through the EnergySage Solar Marketplace, you can review multiple offers from solar companies and find the best offer for your solar installation. The EnergySage Marketplace offers comprehensive, easy-to-understand comparison tables, making it easy to thoroughly compare equipment options, financing offers, and solar company reviews. When you compare multiple solar quotes, you can feel confident that you're making the best investment possible for your home.