Installed Cost Per Watt
The total all-in price of a solar system divided by its nameplate DC capacity. US residential solar averages $2.50-3.50/W installed in 2026, down from $7+/W a decade ago.
Why It Matters
Cost per watt is the standard metric for comparing solar quotes. A $3.00/W system has a 25-year LCOE of about $0.06-0.08/kWh — far below most utility rates.
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Cost Per Watt
The standard metric for comparing solar installation prices, calculated by dividing total system cost by its DC wattage. US average is $2.50-$3.50/W before incentives (2024).
Balance of System (BOS)
All solar system components beyond the panels themselves: inverter, racking, wiring, monitoring, electrical panel upgrades, and installation labor.
Soft Costs
Non-hardware expenses in a solar installation: permitting, inspection, interconnection fees, customer acquisition, labor, overhead, and profit margin. Soft costs are ~65% of US residential solar prices.