The industry's real pricing language is Price Per Watt: total cost ÷ total watts installed. A 6kW system quoted at $21,000 = $3.50/W. That one number lets you compare any two quotes regardless of panel count or sales theater.
Fair 2026 cash pricing for the solar portion (California, before battery/MPU/extras): roughly $2.55-$2.80/W for budget equipment, $2.70-$3.05/W mid-tier, $2.85-$3.30/W premium with microinverters. To compare honestly, strip out the extras first: subtract the battery, panel upgrade, and any dealer fee from the total, THEN divide by watts. And remember — the lowest price is not the best price. Companies need margin to still exist when your warranty call comes.