How much do solar panels cost for a 2,000 sq ft house?
Solar panels for a 2,000 sq ft house usually cost about $16,000 to $36,400 before incentives in 2026, for a 7 to 11 kW system, depending on how sunny your area is. In a mid-range climate like Atlanta, plan on roughly $19,900 to $27,900. If you pay cash or take out a loan, there's no federal tax credit in 2026.
How we worked it out
Square footage doesn't set your system size directly; your electricity use does. According to the EIA's latest household energy survey, homes of 2,000 to 2,499 sq ft use about 12,163 kWh of electricity a year on average. We divided that by what 1 kW of panels produces in five cities (from NLR's PVWatts calculator), then priced each system using NLR's 2025 residential cost range of $2.32 to $3.25 per watt.
| City | kWh/kW/yr | Size | Installed cost (before incentives) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,755 | 6.9 kW | $16,000 – $22,400 |
| Dallas, TX | 1,506 | 8.1 kW | $18,800 – $26,300 |
| Atlanta, GA | 1,420 | 8.6 kW | $19,900 – $27,900 |
| Columbus, OH | 1,296 | 9.4 kW | $21,800 – $30,500 |
| Seattle, WA | 1,088 | 11.2 kW | $26,000 – $36,400 |
The same house needs about 60% more panels in Seattle than in Phoenix. That's why a quote for a neighbor's house in another state tells you little about yours. Our 2026 solar cost guide breaks down what drives the price, beyond system size.
What would change your number
- Electric heat, a pool, or an EV can push use well above the average and add 2 to 4 kW.
- Gas heat and a newer, tight house can pull it below the average.
- Your last 12 months of bills beat any square-footage estimate. Add up the kWh and use that number instead.
Smaller house? See solar cost for a 1,500 sq ft house.
Facts verified
- Electricity use by home size: EIA, 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, Table CE2.1 (41.5 million Btu per household for 2,000–2,499 sq ft, converted at 3,412 Btu/kWh).
- Output per kW: NLR PVWatts v8, run November 8, 2026. Assumes a south-facing fixed roof mount, 20° tilt and 14% system losses.
- Installed cost: NLR Q1 2025 PV System Cost Benchmark, residential PV-only range of $2,319–$3,248 per kW (2024 dollars).
- No federal credit for purchases: IRS, Residential Clean Energy Credit (expired for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025).
- Assumption: the system covers 100% of average annual use. Costs are national benchmarks, not quotes.
More solar cost questions
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