Expert articles on solar panel costs, payback periods, state incentives, and everything you need to know before going solar.
The average solar panel system costs $20,000–$30,000 before incentives — but the 30% federal tax credit can reduce that to $14,000–$21,000. Here's what you'll actually pay.
October 15, 2024· Updated January 10, 2025
The average solar payback period is 6–12 years. Here's how to calculate your specific return on investment — and what factors can shorten or extend the timeline.
October 22, 2024
Not all states are equal for solar. This ranking combines sun hours, electricity rates, net metering policy, and incentives to identify the best and worst states for going solar.
November 5, 2024
The 30% federal solar tax credit can save the average homeowner $6,000–$9,000 on solar installation. Here's everything you need to know about claiming it.
November 20, 2024
A home battery like the Tesla Powerwall costs $10,000–$15,000. For some homeowners it's a no-brainer; for others, it's hard to justify. Here's how to decide.
December 1, 2024