2026 Solar Panel Cost by State
A modeled comparison across all 50 states: how average sun hours and electricity rates change the price of a solar system, the yearly savings, and how long it takes to break even. Pick a state for its own breakdown, or scan the full table below.
Data last updated · formulas and sources
How to read these numbers
These are estimates from a transparent model, not surveyed 2026 prices. Each state's average daily peak sun hours is a stable climate figure; the electricity rate is a rounded approximation that varies by utility — check your own bill. System prices assume roughly $2.70–$3.35/watt installed (a small regional adjustment on a $3.00/watt baseline), before the 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit. Savings assume production offsets power at the retail rate, which is optimistic where export credits are lower. Use the figures for rough comparison, then run your address through the calculators.
| State | Avg rate (¢/kWh) | Sun hrs/day | 6 kW net | 8 kW net | 10 kW net | Savings/yr (8 kW) | Payback (8 kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 15 | 4.5 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $1,600 | 9.6 yrs |
| Alaska | 24 | 3.0 | $14,100 | $18,800 | $23,500 | $1,700 | 11.2 yrs |
| Arizona | 14 | 6.5 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $2,100 | 7.1 yrs |
| Arkansas | 12 | 4.5 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $1,300 | 12.0 yrs |
| California | 30 | 5.5 | $14,100 | $18,800 | $23,500 | $3,900 | 4.9 yrs |
| Colorado | 15 | 5.5 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,900 | 8.7 yrs |
| Connecticut | 30 | 4.2 | $14,100 | $18,800 | $23,500 | $2,900 | 6.4 yrs |
| Delaware | 15 | 4.4 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,500 | 10.9 yrs |
| Florida | 15 | 5.3 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $1,900 | 8.1 yrs |
| Georgia | 14 | 4.8 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $1,600 | 9.6 yrs |
| Hawaii | 42 | 5.9 | $14,100 | $18,800 | $23,500 | $5,800 | 3.2 yrs |
| Idaho | 11 | 4.9 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,300 | 13.3 yrs |
| Illinois | 16 | 4.2 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,600 | 10.7 yrs |
| Indiana | 15 | 4.2 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,500 | 11.4 yrs |
| Iowa | 13 | 4.3 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,300 | 12.9 yrs |
| Kansas | 14 | 5.0 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,600 | 10.3 yrs |
| Kentucky | 12 | 4.2 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,200 | 14.3 yrs |
| Louisiana | 12 | 4.7 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $1,300 | 11.5 yrs |
| Maine | 20 | 4.2 | $14,100 | $18,800 | $23,500 | $2,000 | 9.6 yrs |
| Maryland | 17 | 4.4 | $14,100 | $18,800 | $23,500 | $1,700 | 10.7 yrs |
| Massachusetts | 30 | 4.2 | $14,100 | $18,800 | $23,500 | $2,900 | 6.4 yrs |
| Michigan | 18 | 4.0 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,700 | 10.0 yrs |
| Minnesota | 15 | 4.3 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,500 | 11.2 yrs |
| Mississippi | 13 | 4.6 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $1,400 | 10.8 yrs |
| Missouri | 12 | 4.5 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,300 | 13.3 yrs |
| Montana | 12 | 4.6 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,300 | 13.0 yrs |
| Nebraska | 11 | 4.8 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,200 | 13.6 yrs |
| Nevada | 15 | 6.4 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $2,200 | 6.7 yrs |
| New Hampshire | 22 | 4.2 | $14,100 | $18,800 | $23,500 | $2,200 | 8.7 yrs |
| New Jersey | 18 | 4.3 | $14,100 | $18,800 | $23,500 | $1,800 | 10.4 yrs |
| New Mexico | 14 | 6.5 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $2,100 | 7.1 yrs |
| New York | 23 | 4.0 | $14,100 | $18,800 | $23,500 | $2,100 | 8.7 yrs |
| North Carolina | 13 | 4.7 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $1,400 | 10.6 yrs |
| North Dakota | 11 | 4.5 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,200 | 14.5 yrs |
| Ohio | 16 | 4.0 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,500 | 11.2 yrs |
| Oklahoma | 12 | 5.2 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $1,500 | 10.4 yrs |
| Oregon | 13 | 4.0 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,200 | 13.8 yrs |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 4.1 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,600 | 10.3 yrs |
| Rhode Island | 27 | 4.2 | $14,100 | $18,800 | $23,500 | $2,600 | 7.1 yrs |
| South Carolina | 14 | 4.8 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $1,600 | 9.6 yrs |
| South Dakota | 13 | 4.7 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,400 | 11.8 yrs |
| Tennessee | 12 | 4.4 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $1,200 | 12.3 yrs |
| Texas | 15 | 5.3 | $11,300 | $15,100 | $18,900 | $1,900 | 8.1 yrs |
| Utah | 11 | 5.3 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,400 | 12.3 yrs |
| Vermont | 21 | 4.0 | $14,100 | $18,800 | $23,500 | $2,000 | 9.6 yrs |
| Virginia | 14 | 4.5 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,500 | 11.4 yrs |
| Washington | 11 | 3.7 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,000 | 17.7 yrs |
| West Virginia | 14 | 4.0 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,300 | 12.8 yrs |
| Wisconsin | 17 | 4.2 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,700 | 10.1 yrs |
| Wyoming | 12 | 5.3 | $12,600 | $16,800 | $21,000 | $1,500 | 11.3 yrs |
Net cost is after the 30% federal credit. Savings and payback use a 8 kW system as a representative size.