The cheapest solar panels come from used-solar equipment sellers such as SanTan Solar and local marketplace listings. For new panels, check Renogy direct, Home Depot, Lowe's, Signature Solar and altE. If price is the priority, buy rigid panels by the watt rather than portable folding panels.

The prices below are examples checked in September 2026, not fixed quotes.

Best Places to Buy Cheap Solar Panels

Buyer type Best place to check Typical example Main drawback
Cheapest overall SanTan Solar Used 320W panel for $55, about $0.17/W Used condition and freight
Cheapest new panels Renogy direct Four 100W panels for $323, about $0.81/W Usually suited to DIY and off-grid systems
Convenient retail purchase Home Depot or Lowe's 100W panels from roughly $75 to $100 Retail prices and stock vary
Bulk purchases altE or Signature Solar 440W panels around $0.40/W in a 10-panel pack at altE Freight and minimum quantities
Portable solar power EcoFlow, Anker or similar retailers 400W folding panel for $599 Much higher cost per watt

1. SanTan Solar Is Usually the Cheapest for Used Solar Panels

SanTan Solar sells used, blemished and surplus solar panels at prices below most retail options. Examples checked in September 2026 include:

  • Used CSUN 320W panel: $55, approximately $0.17 per watt
  • Used Canadian Solar 300W panel: $75, approximately $0.25 per watt
  • Used GCL 375W panel: $79, approximately $0.21 per watt
  • Used SunPower 327W panel: $89, approximately $0.27 per watt

This pricing suits large off-grid systems, ground-mounted arrays, workshops, cabins and other projects where appearance and the newest warranty are not priorities.

Before ordering, check:

  • Panel condition, including cracks, delamination and damaged backsheets
  • Whether the panel has been electrically tested
  • Remaining warranty
  • Connector type and voltage
  • Shipping or freight charges
  • Whether you are buying a matched batch or mixed models

The delivered price matters, especially when you buy a pallet. Freight can remove much of the savings from a low-priced used panel.

2. Buy New Panels Directly From Renogy for Small DIY Systems

Renogy is a practical source for RVs, boats, vans, sheds, cabins and small battery systems. Its direct store lists a 100W N-type bifacial panel at $90. A four-panel order costs $323, or about $80.75 per panel. The product listing states that the panel includes a 10-year warranty and a 25-year output guarantee.

Renogy can make more sense than an unknown marketplace brand when you need:

  • A recognizable manufacturer
  • Consistent panel specifications
  • Replacement availability
  • Basic warranty support
  • Panels designed for 12V or 24V off-grid systems

For a small project, price the entire system rather than the panels alone. A charge controller, battery, inverter, cables, fuses, brackets and other mounting hardware can cost more than the panels.

3. Check Home Depot and Lowe's for Convenient Retail Buying

Home Depot and Lowe's are useful when you want local pickup, simpler returns or a panel quickly.

Home Depot lists several 100W panels, including:

  • Generic 100W rigid panels for approximately $55 to $65
  • Renogy 100W panels for approximately $99 to $109
  • Five-panel Renogy 500W packs for approximately $412

The category includes branded products and marketplace-style third-party listings. Check the seller, warranty and technical datasheet before ordering.

Lowe's lists Renogy 100W panels at prices ranging from about $75 to $110 on the product pages reviewed. One $82.23 listing was out of stock, so availability can matter as much as the listed price.

Home Depot and Lowe's work best when you need one or two panels for an RV, shed or backup battery system and do not want to wait for freight delivery.

4. Use altE or Signature Solar for Bulk Purchases

For a larger DIY array, compare solar equipment suppliers with general retailers.

altE lists a 10-panel pack of 440W Sunpro panels for $1,780. That works out to approximately $0.40 per watt before shipping. altE also sells 36-panel packs and larger Hyundai panel pallets for residential, commercial and off-grid projects.

Signature Solar lists individual high-output panels such as:

  • 440W ZnShine bifacial panels for approximately $130
  • 450W Peimar panels for approximately $153
  • 460W Aptos panels for approximately $193

Signature Solar may also be useful when you need batteries, inverters, charge controllers and other off-grid equipment from the same supplier.

Before ordering a pallet, confirm:

  1. Total shipping and liftgate charges
  2. Panel dimensions and weight
  3. Whether the panels are sold individually or require a minimum quantity
  4. Compatibility with your inverter or charge controller
  5. Whether the panels are certified for the planned installation

5. Avoid Portable Folding Solar Panels if Price Is the Priority

Portable folding panels are convenient, but they usually cost much more per watt than rigid framed panels.

ShopSolar lists a 400W EcoFlow folding solar panel at $599, or roughly $1.50 per watt. The 440W altE bulk pack works out to about $0.40 per watt before freight.

Portable panels fit situations such as:

  • Camping
  • Temporary emergency power
  • Power stations
  • Apartment balconies
  • Locations where permanent mounting is not possible

For a fixed roof, ground mount or shed installation, rigid framed panels generally provide more power for the money.

Cheapest Option by Project Type

For an RV or Boat

Buy new 100W or 200W rigid panels from Renogy, ECO-WORTHY, Home Depot or Lowe's. Renogy and ECO-WORTHY list 100W rigid panels at approximately $77 to $90, although stock and promotions change.

For a Cabin or Off-Grid Battery System

Compare used panels from SanTan Solar with new bulk panels from Signature Solar or altE. Used panels usually have the lower purchase price. New 400W to 450W panels can reduce the number of panels, cables and mounting points required.

For a Whole-Home Rooftop System

Do not buy panels first unless you already understand the system design and permitting requirements. A grid-connected solar system also needs an inverter, racking, electrical protection, permits, utility approval and installation.

EnergySage reported a median U.S. residential solar price of $2.48 per watt in the first half of 2025. That figure shows why the panel-only price does not estimate the finished system cost.

For a home roof, compare several installer quotes. Review the complete installed price, equipment warranty, workmanship warranty and financing cost.

How to Find the Real Cheapest Price

Start with this calculation:

Price per watt = panel price ÷ panel wattage

Examples:

  • $55 ÷ 320W = $0.17/W
  • $79 ÷ 375W = $0.21/W
  • $1,780 ÷ 4,400W = $0.40/W
  • $323 ÷ 400W = $0.81/W

Then add the costs of:

  • Shipping or freight
  • Sales tax
  • Mounting hardware
  • Charge controller or inverter
  • Wiring and connectors
  • Batteries
  • Permits and installation, if applicable

A $55 used panel may cost less upfront than a $90 new panel. A new 440W panel may still be cheaper per watt and may require fewer mounting rails and cables.

What to Check Before Buying Cheap Solar Panels

  • Check the panel voltage against the battery, inverter or charge controller design.
  • Confirm that the controller and wiring can handle the panel's maximum current.
  • Measure the available space. Large 400W-plus panels may not fit an RV or small roof.
  • Match the connector type. Most rigid panels use MC4-style connectors, but compatibility still needs to be checked.
  • Compare warranty coverage. New panels generally have clearer warranty terms than used or blemished panels.
  • Check certification requirements for grid-connected installations.
  • Avoid panels with broken glass, severe delamination, exposed conductors or water damage.
  • Get a freight quote before ordering oversized panels.

Bottom Line

Start with SanTan Solar if the lowest upfront panel price is the goal. For a small new system, compare Renogy with Home Depot and Lowe's. For a larger array, compare altE and Signature Solar using the delivered price per watt. If the panels are for a home roof, compare complete installer quotes instead of using panel prices to estimate the finished system.