How does My Solar Potential calculate my solar savings?

My Solar Potential uses the Google Solar API to analyze your rooftop via satellite imagery. It calculates your roof's solar irradiance, usable panel area, and local electricity rates to estimate your annual savings, system size, and payback period.

Is the solar savings calculator free to use?

Yes, the My Solar Potential calculator is completely free. Enter your home address and get an instant solar savings estimate in under 60 seconds — no credit card or account required.

What states does My Solar Potential serve?

My Solar Potential provides solar estimates for homeowners across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Ohio.

Did the federal solar tax credit expire?

Yes. The 30% federal residential solar Investment Tax Credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025. However, strong state-level incentives remain in the Northeast, including New Jersey's SREC-II program, New York's state tax credit, and Massachusetts' SMART program.

How many solar panels does my home need?

The number of solar panels depends on your annual energy usage, local sun hours, and panel wattage. An average Northeast home using 10,500 kWh/year typically needs 18–24 panels (a 7–10 kW system). Use our free calculator to get a precise estimate for your specific address.

Solar Panel Cost in 2026: What You'll Actually Pay (No Federal Credit)

James Whitfield

Energy Storage Specialist

February 5, 2026

8 min read

With the 30% federal ITC expired, the true out-of-pocket cost of solar has increased. Here's the real 2026 pricing breakdown — and why solar still makes financial sense in the Northeast.

Average Solar System Costs in 2026

Solar hardware prices are at historic lows, but the expiration of the federal ITC means net costs are higher than 2025. Here's what you can expect:

System Size

Cost Per Watt

Total Cost (Pre-Incentive)

5 kW	$2.75–$3.36/W	$13,750–$16,800
8 kW	$2.61–$2.98/W	$20,880–$23,840
10 kW	$2.55–$2.86/W	$25,500–$28,600
12 kW	$2.52–$2.75/W	$30,240–$33,000

Note: These are pre-incentive costs. State incentives (SRECs, tax exemptions) still apply and vary significantly by state.

Regional Price Variation

Costs vary significantly by location due to labor rates and permitting complexity:

Low-cost states (AZ, TX, FL): ~$2.09–$2.35/watt
Mid-range (PA, MD, OH): ~$2.50–$2.80/watt
High-cost Northeast (MA, NY, NH): ~$3.12–$3.33/watt

What Drives the Cost?

Hardware (under 50% of total cost)

Panels: $0.35–$0.55/watt (prices fell ~15% in 2025)
Inverter: $800–$2,500
Mounting hardware: $400–$1,200

Soft Costs (50%+ of total)

Installation labor: ~7% of total
Permitting & inspections: ~8%
Installer overhead & marketing: ~26%
Sales & customer acquisition: ~9%

Premium vs. Budget Panels in 2026

Budget panels (Jinko Neo, LONGi Hi-MO 6, Canadian Solar HiHero)

400–430W, 21–22% efficiency
25-year product warranty
$0.35–$0.45/watt

Premium panels (REC Alpha, Maxeon 7, Panasonic EverVolt)

430–460W, 22–24% efficiency
25–40 year product warranty
$0.50–$0.70/watt

The Bottom Line for 2026

Without the federal credit, a typical Northeast homeowner pays $18,000–$26,000 out of pocket for a system that saves $1,500–$2,500/year. Payback is 8–12 years, with 25+ years of savings ahead — still a strong long-term investment.

State incentives (especially NJ's SREC-II and NY's tax credit) can meaningfully reduce this payback period.

#solar cost#pricing#solar panels cost#financing#ROI#2026

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