Use our advanced solar calculator to see how different panel types affect your savings, then connect with certified installers who can help you make the best choice. Complete guide to types of solar panels in 2025. Compare monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film. Compare monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film solar panels. Made from single silicon crystals, monocrystalline panels offer the highest efficiency and best performance per square foot. What kind of home do you live in? When you're considering whether to get solar panels, it's a good idea to look into all the different types, to ensure you choose the best. Solar panel costs range from $16,600 to $20,500 for the average 6. 5 kW system, but prices can vary from as little as $7,700 for smaller solar systems to upward of $34,700 for larger systems. This article is written and verified by Santosh Das, an. Most homeowners spend between $12,600 and $33,376 to install a complete residential solar system in 2026, with the national average at $19,873 before incentives. Your actual cost depends on your home's energy needs, roof characteristics, location and other factors, all of which we'll break down in.