Credit: Solar United Neighbors
After a year of contraction, residential solar and storage prices both reached new all-time lows even as panels have continued to increase in power output, according to the 20th EnergySage Intel: Solar & Storage Marketplace Report released today.
This semiannual report analyzes millions of transaction-level data points from homeowners shopping on EnergySage.com from January through December 2024 for solar panels, inverters, batteries and more from solar companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
EnergySage’s report captures the trends shaping consumer behavior, installer offerings and equipment preferences, while spotlighting early indicators of how tariffs, interest rates and Tesla brand backlash may influence the market in the months ahead.
Below are three key insights from the latest report, which can be downloaded for free at energysage.com/data.
Residential solar and storage prices both reach new all-time lows
Solar prices dropped for the third consecutive six-month period, hitting $2.50 per watt, the lowest median quoted price since EnergySage began tracking data in 2014. Quoted storage prices also fell, setting a new record low of $999 per kilowatt-hour stored.
“Heading into 2025, solar and battery prices had never been lower on the EnergySage Marketplace, and for homeowners, that means more affordable and accessible clean energy solutions,” said Emily Walker, director of content and insights at EnergySage. “This creates a compelling record-low benchmark to measure against as we begin to see the effects of shifting policies and tariffs take hold this year.”
Tesla’s Powerwall 3 disrupts the storage — and solar — market
Tesla became the most-quoted battery brand in H2 2024, occupying 63% of marketplace share nationwide. Because the Powerwall 3 includes an integrated inverter, Tesla also became the second-most quoted inverter brand. With batteries increasingly being added to solar systems — the national battery attachment rate jumped to 45% in H2 2024, an all-time high—Tesla’s growth was a key driver of the low storage and solar prices seen on EnergySage.
“Tesla’s emerging dominance in both storage and inverter quotes reflects the market’s appetite for integrated, all-in-one solutions,” said Charlie Hadlow, President and COO of EnergySage. “But as concerns around availability and brand sentiment surface, we’re watching closely to see whether this momentum holds or if consumer backlash will begin to shift installer and homeowner preferences.”
Rated solar panel output continues to climb
Solar panels have continued to increase in power output due to larger sizes and higher efficiencies. In H2 2024, 33% of quotes included solar panels with rated outputs above 450 W, up from just 1% in H2 2023. EnergySage is tracking tariff-related solar panel stockpiling to see if it hinders U.S. solar technology growth in 2025.
“As panel technologies improve, more homeowners are being offered higher-output systems — meaning fewer panels, more power, and a better return on investment,” Walker said. “We’re closely watching how inventory strategies and upcoming tariffs may shape this trend.”
For a decade, the Solar & Storage Marketplace Report has provided an unparalleled look into the trends for pricing, equipment, and consumer preferences shaping today’s U.S. residential solar, energy storage and home electrification industry.
“The data in this report tells a broader story about the industry’s evolution,” Hadlow said. “From the rise in storage adoption to the shift toward higher-efficiency equipment and lower costs, we’re seeing homeowners take greater control over their energy choices. EnergySage is here to help them power their way.”
News item from EnergySage
I’ve been in the solar industry for 15 years both consumer and EPC $5/watt is a fair price for solar installed with tier one equipment and EPC warranty including production warranty. $2.50/watt? I don’t think so.
$5? What state?
Great article. Good job. Congrats