US residential solar · 2026 data

Solar Panels for 1,900 sq ft House

Q: How much does solar cost for a 1,900 sq ft house in 2026, and is there still a federal tax credit?

An 8 kW system (about 20 panels) costs roughly $20,800 at the early-2026 EnergySage marketplace average of about $2.58 to $2.60 per watt, and about $28,000 at the $3.50 per watt cash median Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reported for 2024 installations. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit cannot be claimed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025 (IRS Form 5695 instructions), so a purchased system gets no federal credit in 2026. State and utility incentives still vary.

Q: How much can solar save per month on a 1,900 sq ft home?

A home using 10,500 kWh a year that offsets all of it would avoid about $114 a month at 13 cents per kWh, $158 at 18 cents, and $254 at 29 cents, before fixed utility charges and assuming full retail-rate credit. Net metering rules matter: under California's NEM 3.0, exported power is credited roughly 75% less on average than under the old rules, so savings depend on how much solar power you use directly or store.

Q: Is a solar lease or PPA cheaper than buying in 2026?

It depends on the quote. Homeowner-owned systems bought after December 31, 2025 get no federal tax credit, but companies that own leased or PPA systems can still claim the commercial Section 48E credit if construction began by July 4, 2026 or the system is placed in service by December 31, 2027, and some pass that value through as lower payments. Compare the total cost per kWh over the full term, payment escalators and transfer terms against a cash or loan quote. Loan-financed quotes often include dealer fees.

Est. net savings

$24,700

Over 25 Years (est., flat 18¢ rate) · no federal credit

$20,800 Est. cost (no federal credit)

11.0 yrs Payback at 18¢/kWh

8.0 kW System size

Typical result:

About 20 panels (400 W)
About 8 kW system
About $20,800 before incentives
About 11-year payback at 18¢/kWh

✓ EIA rates & NREL sun data ✓ 2026 federal policy applied ✓ Open methodology

Updated September 30, 2026 · 10 min read ·By Green Energy Calculators Editorial Team

Calculate My System Size View State Data

25 years without solar vs with solar

Assumes 3%/yr rate increases, 0.5%/yr panel degradation and no federal tax credit (the 30% §25D credit ended for systems installed after Dec 31, 2025). How we calculate

Without solar

25-year utility bills

$45,500

Rates rise ~3% per year

With solar

System cost + remaining bills

$20,800

Installed cost, no federal credit

Difference

Estimated 25-year net

+$24,700

Before any state or utility incentives

Author Green Energy Calculators Editorial Team

Editorial policy No paid placements

Last updated Sep 30, 2026

Data approach EIA rates · NREL sun hours · 2026 federal policy · methodology

A 1,900 sq ft home (about 177 m²) typically needs 18 to 22 solar panels (400 W each, roughly 7 to 9 kW) to cover about 10,500 kWh of electricity a year in most of the U.S., where the sun delivers 4 to 5 peak hours a day. The range runs from about 14 panels in the desert Southwest to 26 or more in cloudy regions, because your electricity use and local sunshine, not square footage, set the size.

2026 update: The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit no longer applies to homeowner-owned systems. The IRS instructions for Form 5695 state that it can’t be claimed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025. Every cost and payback figure below is calculated without a federal credit.

At a glance: typical 1,900 sq ft home (assumes 10,500 kWh/yr and 4.5 peak sun hours)

Item	Typical value
Panels (400 W)	About 20 (range 14–26 by sunlight)
System size	About 8 kW (7.8 kW calculated)
Annual production	About 10,800 kWh
Installed cost before incentives	About $20,800 at $2.60/W; about $28,000 at $3.50/W
Federal credit on a purchased system	None for 2026
Simple payback	About 11 years at 18¢/kWh (7–20 years across rates and prices)

Three variables drive almost everything: your real annual kWh use, the peak sun hours at your address, and the wattage of the panels you choose. The sections below walk through each one with numbers you can check.

How to Calculate Solar Panel Count for a 1,900 sq ft Home

Divide your annual kWh by 365, then by your peak sun hours times 0.82, then by the panel wattage. Start with your last 12 months of utility bills and add up the kWh.

Step 1: Find your daily kWh. Annual kWh ÷ 365 = daily kWh. We use 10,500 kWh a year as a planning figure, which is close to the national average: the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that the average U.S. residential customer bought 10,791 kWh in 2022, ranging from 14,774 kWh in Louisiana to 6,178 kWh in Hawaii. That is an average across all homes, not a figure for 1,900 sq ft specifically, so electric heating, heat pumps, EV charging and pools can push your number well above it. 10,500 ÷ 365 ≈ 28.8 kWh a day.

Step 2: Convert to system size. Daily kWh ÷ (peak sun hours × 0.82) = kW needed. The 0.82 factor covers real-world losses: PVWatts assumes 14% system losses by default and a 96% inverter efficiency. At the 4.5 sun hours we use as a national planning value, 28.8 ÷ (4.5 × 0.82) ≈ 7.8 kW. PVWatts gives location-specific figures for any address for free.

Step 3: Divide by panel wattage. Most new residential panels are roughly 400 W. 7.8 kW ÷ 0.4 kW = 19.5, rounded up to 20 panels.

Solar panel count by usage and sunlight (400 W panels, 0.82 system factor)

Annual kWh use	Peak sun hours	System size needed	Panels (400 W)
9,000 kWh	5.5	5.5 kW	14
10,500 kWh	6.5 (desert Southwest)	5.4 kW	14
10,500 kWh	5.0	7.0 kW	18
10,500 kWh	4.5 (planning value)	7.8 kW	20
10,500 kWh	4.0	8.8 kW	22
10,500 kWh	3.5 (cloudiest regions)	10.0 kW	26
13,000 kWh	5.5	7.9 kW	20
13,000 kWh	3.5	12.4 kW	32

Sunlight Changes the Panel Count by Nearly Half. A 10,500 kWh/yr home needs 26 panels at 3.5 peak sun hours and 14 at 6.5 (amber = 4.5-hour planning value). Source: NREL PVWatts default losses, EIA 2026.

Chart summary: For a home using 10,500 kWh a year, panel count falls as sunshine rises: 26 panels (10.0 kW) at 3.5 peak sun hours, 20 panels (7.8 kW) at the 4.5-hour planning value, and 14 panels (5.4 kW) at 6.5 hours. Moving from the cloudiest to the sunniest conditions cuts the required system by about 46%. Roof orientation and shade change this further, so test your exact roof in PVWatts before relying on a rule of thumb.

Use our solar system size calculator to enter your own usage and ZIP code. If your bill is closer to $150 a month, our $150/month bill guide applies, and the how many solar panels do I need guide covers other home sizes.

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What Does a Solar System for a 1,900 sq ft Home Cost in 2026?

An 8 kW system (about 20 panels) costs roughly $20,800 to $28,000 before incentives in 2026, and no federal tax credit applies to a purchased system. The spread comes from which price benchmark you use:

Marketplace quotes: EnergySage reports an average of about $2.58 per watt in early 2026 from competing installer bids. At $2.60/W, 8 kW costs $20,800.
Completed-project prices: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s installed-price data put the median cash-purchase price at $3.50 per watt for 2024 installations. At that price, 8 kW costs $28,000.
Financed systems: The same Berkeley Lab data show loan-financed systems priced higher (a median of about $4.70 per watt), because dealer fees are often built into the contract price.

Federal incentives. Congress ended the Residential Clean Energy Credit for expenditures after December 31, 2025 (IRS; SEIA). That also removed the credit for home batteries. Systems finished in 2025 could still be claimed on a 2025 return. Companies that own leased or PPA systems can still claim the commercial Section 48E credit if construction began by July 4, 2026, or if the system is placed in service by December 31, 2027. Some of that value shows up as lower lease or PPA payments, but you do not claim it yourself.

State and local incentives. These vary widely. For example, Massachusetts offers an income tax credit of 15% of system cost, up to $1,000, for a primary residence, plus SMART production payments (EnergySage). Check DSIRE for your state and utility.

Equipment. String inverters are usually cheaper up front. Microinverters and power optimizers typically cost more but keep shade on one panel from dragging down the whole string, which matters if part of your roof is shaded at midday. Ask installers to itemize panels, inverters, labor and permits.

Solar vs utility company · 25-year comparison

25-year totals: 3%/yr rate increases, 0.5%/yr degradation, no federal credit. Methodology

Total utility payments

$45,500

Total solar cost (installed + remaining bills)

$20,800

Net savings

+$24,700

Avg. monthly difference

+$158/mo

See my savings →

How Long Does Solar Payback Take on a 1,900 sq ft Home?

With no federal credit, simple payback for an 8 kW system is about 11 years at the U.S. average electricity rate, and it ranges from about 7 to 20 years depending on your rate and price. The EIA reported a U.S. average residential price of about 18.3¢/kWh in June 2026, from roughly 13¢ in low-rate states such as Nevada to about 29¢ in New York.

Simple payback in years: 8 kW system offsetting 10,500 kWh a year

Electricity rate	At $2.60/W ($20,800)	At $3.50/W ($28,000)
13¢/kWh	15.2 years	20.5 years
18¢/kWh	11.0 years	14.8 years
29¢/kWh	6.8 years	9.2 years

Electricity Rates Drive Payback More Than Price. At 18¢/kWh an 8 kW system pays back in 11.0 years at $2.60/W and 14.8 years at $3.50/W, with no federal credit. Source: EIA 2026, EnergySage, Berkeley Lab.

Chart summary: At the 18¢ U.S. average rate, an 8 kW system pays back in 11.0 years at $2.60 per watt and 14.8 years at $3.50 per watt. Rate matters most: moving from 13¢ to 29¢ cuts payback by about 55% (15.2 to 6.8 years at $2.60 per watt). The installed price matters second, adding roughly 2 to 5 years depending on the rate.

How we calculated it: payback = system cost ÷ (10,500 kWh × rate). Over 25 years, with panel output declining about 0.5% a year (a common modeling assumption) and the rate held flat at 18¢, the system offsets about 253,000 kWh, worth about $45,500. After the $20,800 cost, that is a net of about $24,700. That figure ignores electricity price changes, financing interest, maintenance, and any inverter replacement.

Net metering matters. These numbers assume each kWh you produce is credited at the full retail rate. Where export credits are lower, payback is longer unless you use more of your solar power directly or store it. In California, for example, new systems under NEM 3.0 receive export credits that are about 75% lower on average than under the previous rules. Use our solar payback calculator to model your own rate, and see our guides for 1,800 sq ft and 1,700 sq ft homes for comparison.

Is Solar Worth It for a 1,900 sq ft Home by State?

Solar pays back fastest where electricity is expensive and export credits are strong, not necessarily where it is sunniest. Using the same 8 kW, $2.60/W, 10,500 kWh example, only the electricity rate changes in the table below.

Illustrative payback at each state’s average residential rate (June 2026)

State	Average rate	Payback (8 kW, $2.60/W, full retail credit)
California	34.7¢/kWh	5.7 years*
New York	29.5¢/kWh	6.7 years
Colorado	17.1¢/kWh	11.6 years
Texas	15.9¢/kWh	12.4 years
Arizona	15.2¢/kWh	13.0 years
Florida	15.1¢/kWh	13.1 years

*California’s export credits are lower under NEM 3.0, so real payback for a solar-only system is longer than shown. Rates: EIA Electric Power Monthly, June 2026. Installed prices differ by state, so treat this as a comparison of rates, not a quote.

Table summary: State electricity rates, not sunshine, separate fast from slow payback. The two highest-rate states in this table (California and New York) land under 7 years on paper, while sunny Arizona and Florida land above 13 years because their rates are near 15¢. Massachusetts, with rates near 29¢ in May 2026 and a state tax credit, is also a strong case for homeowners.

Solar is more likely to make sense if your rate is high, your roof has at least 15 years of life left, you have unshaded south-, east- or west-facing sections, you plan to stay in the home long enough to reach payback, and your utility credits exports fairly. It is a harder case with low rates, poor export credits, heavy shade, or a roof that needs replacing soon. Adding a home battery can raise self-consumption where export credits are low, but it adds cost and no longer qualifies for the federal residential credit.

How to Compare Solar Quotes for a 1,900 sq ft Home

Compare quotes on cost per watt installed, because a cheaper total price for a smaller system is not automatically a better deal. An $18,000 quote for 6 kW works out to $3.00/W, while a $22,000 quote for 8 kW works out to $2.75/W, so the larger system is the better value. Use the $2.58/W marketplace average and the $3.50/W cash median above as reference points, and ask any installer far outside that range to explain why.

Get 3 or more itemized quotes and ask for the same system size so they line up.
Check the equipment. Ask for the panel datasheet (wattage, efficiency, degradation and warranty terms) and the inverter model. Panel product and performance warranties commonly run about 25 years, but workmanship warranties vary by installer, so get each in writing.
Verify the production estimate. Compare the installer’s first-year kWh estimate to your own PVWatts run for your roof’s tilt and direction. Large gaps deserve an explanation.
Ask how it is financed. A loan price can include dealer fees that a cash price does not. For a lease or PPA, compare the total cost per kWh over the full term, payment escalators, and what happens if you sell the home.
Confirm incentives. Ask which state, utility and local programs are included, and whether a lease or PPA rate reflects the commercial Section 48E credit.
Base sizing on your bills. Be cautious with any installer who sizes a system from square footage alone, without reviewing 12 months of your actual utility usage.

Use our solar payback calculator to test any quote: enter the system size, price and your electricity rate to see whether the installer’s payback claim holds up.

Methodology and sources

Assumptions: 10,500 kWh/yr use; 4.5 peak sun hours; 400 W panels; 0.82 system factor (PVWatts default 14% losses and 96% inverter efficiency); 0.5% annual degradation; flat electricity rates; full retail-rate credit for production; no incentives or financing costs. Figures are estimates for comparison and are not a quote, tax advice or financial advice. Prices and incentives change, so confirm with licensed installers and a tax professional.

Sources: U.S. EIA: How much electricity does an American home use?; EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (June 2026 residential prices); NREL PVWatts Calculator; IRS Instructions for Form 5695 (2025); SEIA summary of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act; EnergySage solar cost data; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Tracking the Sun (2025 data update); EnergySage Massachusetts incentives; DSIRE. Last updated September 30, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Direct answers for US homeowners — sized for a $150/month electric bill.

How many solar panels does a 1,900 sq ft house need?

Most 1,900 sq ft houses need about 18 to 22 panels (400 W each, 7 to 9 kW) to offset roughly 10,500 kWh a year where there are 4 to 5 peak sun hours. At 4.5 sun hours the math gives 7.8 kW, or 20 panels. Very sunny areas (6.5 hours) need about 14 panels, and cloudy areas (3.5 hours) about 26. Your actual electricity bills matter more than square footage.

How much does solar cost for a 1,900 sq ft house in 2026, and is there still a federal tax credit?

How long does it take for solar to pay for itself on a 1,900 sq ft home?

How much can solar save per month on a 1,900 sq ft home?

Is a solar lease or PPA cheaper than buying in 2026?

Same usage, bill-based guide

Your 1,900 sq ft House target maps to roughly a $150/month electric bill nationally.

$150 $150/month electric bill guide Panels · cost · payback · by state →

Popular state solar guides

Electricity rates and incentives vary — see data for your state.

CA California 33.25¢/kWh · 5.8h sun TX Texas 16.06¢/kWh · 5.6h sun FL Florida 15.3¢/kWh · 5.7h sun AZ Arizona 15.44¢/kWh · 6.5h sun NC North Carolina 14.94¢/kWh · 5.2h sun NY New York 29.38¢/kWh · 4.3h sun MA Massachusetts 30.14¢/kWh · 4.2h sun CO Colorado 16.72¢/kWh · 5.5h sun

View all 50 states →

How these numbers were calculated

Electricity rate: 18.19¢/kWh — US average residential price. Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B (year-to-date through July 2026), residential average retail price (July 2026) (EIA)
Solar production: 4.5 peak sun hours/day × 0.82 system derate. Approximate state-average daily solar resource (peak sun hours) based on NREL solar resource data (NSRDB); not location-specific — use NREL PVWatts for an address-level estimate. (NREL PVWatts)
Installed price: $3.00 per watt before incentives. Blended 2026 US residential installed price used by this site; EnergySage marketplace reported about $2.60/W (mid-2026); full-market medians are higher.
Federal tax credit: $0 for homeowner-owned systems installed in 2026 — the 30% §25D credit ended Dec 31, 2025 (IRS)
Net metering: National blend — solar assumed to offset 75% of the bill (87% in full-retail net-metering states, 55–70% elsewhere).
Model: Version 2026.10 · 3%/yr electricity price escalation · 0.5%/yr panel degradation · simple payback = installed cost ÷ year-1 savings
Policy checked: September 29, 2026 · Full methodology · Report an error

Estimates only — not tax, legal or financial advice. Get at least three installer quotes and confirm incentives with your utility and a tax professional.