Solar quotes are usually expressed per kilowatt of capacity, but permit valuations reflect the whole installed system. Understanding system size is the key to reading any figure on this page.
What the permit filings show
Based on 11,544 residential building-permit filings. The median solar installation valuation runs from $20,047 in Chicago to $38,950 in New York, about 1.9× the cheapest city. Within a city the spread matters too: the middle half of Austin filings spans 130% of its median, versus 61% in Seattle.
CityTypical range (P25–P75)MedianFilings
Chicago$13,550 – $27,449$20,0472,173
San Francisco$13,200 – $45,000$25,869465
Austin$19,000 – $57,873$30,00051
Seattle$19,330 – $40,000$33,82439
New York$27,318 – $53,378$38,9508,816
Filings are declared valuations from each city's open permit dataset, limited to residential records classified as solar installation work and valued between $1,000 and $2,000,000. A city is listed only when at least 30 filings qualify. Full methodology. Data refreshed September 2026.
System size drives the total
A larger system costs more in absolute terms but usually less per kilowatt, because fixed costs such as design, permitting and inverter hardware are spread across more panels. When comparing quotes, convert each to a price per kilowatt so different system sizes can be compared fairly.
What is and is not in the number
Permit valuations for solar typically cover panels, inverters, mounting and wiring. Batteries, roof repairs, electrical service upgrades and monitoring subscriptions may be priced separately or omitted. Incentives and tax credits, where available, are not reflected in a declared valuation.
Checking a solar quote
Ask for expected annual generation and the assumptions behind it, the panel and inverter warranties, and the roof condition. If the roof will need replacing within a few years, doing it before installing panels avoids paying to remove and refit them later.
Use your quote to test the range
What this project can cover
Solar installation usually covers panels, inverters, mounting, wiring, and grid connection work; battery storage is a separate major choice.
What may sit outside it
Roof replacement, structural reinforcement, service upgrades, batteries, and monitoring subscriptions may sit outside the basic panel scope.
Checks before you accept a quote
Compare system size, expected annual generation, and price per kW.
Confirm the roof condition and mounting warranty.
Ask for the assumptions behind savings and export estimates.