This guide breaks down the latest prices of small photovoltaic panels, explores their applications, and shares tips for choosing the best option. Whether you're powering a cabin, IoT device, or RV, we've got you covered. . Note: Costs are expressed in constant 2024 US$ per watt. Solar photovoltaic module prices refer to the cost of the solar panel itself, and do not include installation or other system. . Each year, the U. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and its national laboratory partners analyze cost data for U. These benchmarks help measure progress toward goals for reducing solar electricity costs. . NLR analyzes the total costs associated with installing photovoltaic (PV) systems for residential rooftop, commercial rooftop, and utility-scale ground-mount systems. NLR's PV cost benchmarking work uses a bottom-up. . Solar panels can lower your electricity bill by 75% or more, but the upfront investment is significant. Most homeowners spend between $12,600 and $33,376 to install a complete residential solar system in 2026, with the national average at $19,873 before incentives. This typically translates to about $2.