How Much Does a Solar Installer Charge Per kW in the USA?
US solar installers typically price per watt ($/W), not per kW – but the concepts are directly related. Here are both measures to help you understand and communicate pricing clearly.
Quick Conversion
$3.00/W = $3,000/kW installed. A 7kW system at $3.00/W = $21,000 gross.
Installed Prices Per kW (2026)
| Market | Installed $/kW (before ITC) |
|---|---|
| National average | $3,000-$3,500/kW |
| California | $3,200-$4,200/kW |
| Texas | $2,500-$3,300/kW |
| Florida | $2,600-$3,500/kW |
| Northeast (MA, NY, CT) | $3,200-$4,500/kW |
| Mountain West (AZ, CO, NV) | $2,600-$3,600/kW |
Source: EnergySage, NREL, SEIA, 2026.
Labor Only vs Full Installation
If you’re subcontracting or pricing labor separately from equipment:
| System type | Labor only $/W |
|---|---|
| Standard residential rooftop | $0.40-$0.75/W |
| Complex residential (steep pitch, multiple planes) | $0.65-$1.00/W |
| Small commercial rooftop | $0.30-$0.55/W |
| Ground mount | $0.35-$0.60/W |
FAQs
Why is solar priced per watt rather than per panel?
Panels vary in wattage (from 300W economy to 450W+ premium). Pricing per watt normalizes for panel efficiency, making comparisons meaningful regardless of panel count.
Should I use $/W or $/kW in customer proposals?
Use the total system cost in customer proposals – most homeowners don’t think in $/W or $/kW terms. Use $/W internally for your own estimating and when comparing quotes from suppliers.
CoreQuote is a quoting and invoicing app for US tradespeople. Download free on Android — get CoreQuote free.
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