Cost of Solar Panels in Mississippi (2026)

How much do solar panels cost in Mississippi?

With professional installation, a typical 8-kilowatt residential solar panel system in Mississippi costs $22,253. That price drops to $15,577 after the full federal solar investment tax credit (ITC).

This doesn’t include the cost of a solar storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels. Solar batteries are a must if you want real energy independence, especially if you go off-grid. Permitting, utility fees and maintenance also add to the cost of going solar.

The size of your solar panel system is another big factor in your overall solar costs. The average size of solar systems in Mississippi is 5.2 kW (kilowatts). Depending on your household energy usage, you might need a smaller or larger system.

The average solar panel installation costs $2.71 per watt in Mississippi. “Cost per watt” is similar to the price per square foot when you buy a house. It helps you compare the value of solar energy systems in different sizes.

Average solar panel costs by system size in Mississippi

Are solar panels worth it in Mississippi?

If your house is a good candidate, it’s worth considering solar panels if you like the idea of lower monthly utility bills and more energy independence. It’s especially worth it if your current electric bills are high. Solar panels will save you even more if you also have an electric vehicle.

Homeowners with solar panels typically save $20,000 to $90,000 over 25 years.

You’ll get the most out of going solar if you have a well‑oriented roof (south-facing, minimal shading, angled about 30 to 45 degrees) and can take advantage of net metering or have storage for surplus generation.

For some residents, going solar is worth it in Mississippi just for the environmental benefits. If you’re interested purely in cost savings, though, we suggest consulting with a few local installers. They can best calculate the potential savings you’ll get with solar panels. You can also look up your house via Project Sunroof or the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's PVWatts Calculator.

Understanding payback periods and savings

On average, you’ll spend $9,472 to $27,063 for panels that last about 25 years. Over that same time period, you’d avoid approximately $34,539 in total utility costs.

Solar panel installations are expensive, and it takes years for electric bill savings to make up for the initial cost. If you sell your house and move before then, you might not fully realize the financial benefits of your solar investment.

Think of going solar in terms of your monthly costs. Given rising energy costs in Mississippi and elsewhere, financing solar panels makes sense as long as your monthly loan payment is less than what you would be paying the utility company anyway.

» STILL NOT SURE? Solar energy pros and cons

Solar panel installation cost factors in Mississippi

The equipment — solar panels, inverters, mounting hardware and other electrical accessories — is typically the largest portion of your overall total costs (approximately 25% to 50%). Labor, which includes planning, preparing and connecting your system to the grid, accounts for 10% to 30%. Local permits and fees are a small part of your overall costs.

Solar panels

Most of your solar equipment costs come down to how much you pay for solar panels. In general, monocrystalline panels are considered the best bang for your buck. Cheaper solar panels are typically polycrystalline. The difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels comes down to efficiency and materials: Monocrystalline panels are made from pure, single silicon crystals; various silicon fragments melted together are used to make polycrystalline panels.

Additional solar equipment costs

Solar arrays also contain mounting equipment, wiring and other devices, such as inverters, batteries or a monitoring system.

• Solar batteries: Battery storage lets you save energy for later use. Solar battery prices depend on the battery’s capacity, life span, brand and other factors. Expect to pay between $7,000 and $18,000, though some cost $30,000 or more.
• Solar inverter: Solar inverters convert the electricity generated by your solar panels from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Inverter costs usually range from $1,000 to $3,000.
• Monitoring system: Some companies include a solar monitoring system to track how much energy your system produces and if there are any problems. If not, a standalone system costs $80 to $400.

Condition of your roof

Your roof must be durable enough to sustain the solar energy system over its life span. Given that solar panels typically last about 25 to 30 years, your roof should also be capable of surviving this long. If not, you'll face additional costs to remove the panels before having any repair or renovation work done on your roof.

ConsumerAffairs often hears from disgruntled solar customers who felt blindsided by expensive roof repairs needed after their solar panel installation was complete. This is a frustrating and expensive process you should avoid if you can. That’s why fixing or replacing your roof before going solar is smart.

Other cost factors

• Labor costs: Installing solar panels yourself might initially seem cheaper because you'll save on labor costs. However, there are pros and cons to DIY solar panels. If not installed correctly, solar panels pose safety risks, causing roof leaks and other problems.
• Permits fees: Various permits are required for solar panel installation, including electrical, building, interconnection, zoning and solar photovoltaic permits. The cost of these permits can range from $50 to $350, depending on the specific location within Mississippi.
• Ongoing costs: Solar panels require minimal maintenance, but there’s still an associated cost there. Think about potential repairs and periodic cleaning of your panels, too. These all add to the lifetime cost of your solar panel system.

Solar incentives, tax credits and rebates in Mississippi

Statewide solar incentives in Mississippi are relatively scarce. Low- and moderate-income residents might qualify for rebates up to $3,000 through Mississippi Power after they go solar. Solar water heaters are exempt from sales and use tax, but only for commercial and industrial projects.

Net metering in Mississippi

Net metering lets you earn credits for sending any excess solar energy to the grid. It also lets you access power from the grid when your panels don’t generate enough electricity.

Mississippi does not have a statewide net metering policy. Instead, net metering is handled by individual utilities (like Mississippi Power and Entergy Mississippi) under rules approved by the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC).

Mississippi utility companies provide bill credits for the excess energy you generate instead of directly offsetting your energy usage in real-time (like traditional net metering). This means your extra energy is valued and credited to your account, which can be used to offset future electricity charges.

How can I pay for solar panels in Mississippi?

Affordable financing options make the upfront costs of solar more manageable. For instance, most leases let you start saving from day one with little or no money down.

• Loan: A solar loan works like any other type of home improvement loan — there’s an application and approval process, and you pay it back over time (with interest) each month. In an ideal financing scenario, your system generates enough extra power to pay off the loan. Solar loan terms typically last eight to 20 years.
• Lease: Leasing solar panels is a great way to set up a system without the high upfront costs. A potential downside is that you are not eligible for the same tax incentives.

» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy

Compare solar installation companies in Mississippi

We compared ratings and reviews, equipment options, warranties, availability and other factors to pick the top solar companies in Mississippi.

Bottom line

Residential solar panel system costs typically fall between $10,000 and $30,000 or higher, depending on factors like the system's size, local labor rates and available incentives. Mississippi homeowners with solar panels can typically save more than that in total avoided energy costs over the lifetime of a system.

Solar costs vs. savings: Mississippi and nearby states