Compare Solar by State
A side-by-side comparison of solar economics across 26 US states with viable payback — electricity rates, typical payback period, sun exposure and net-metering policy. Filter by region or sort any column, then open a state for the full incentive breakdown.
Sources: DSIRE, EIA, NREL
The short answerThe best solar states are driven by electricity rates and net metering, not just sunshine. Hawaii leads on payback (6–8 years) thanks to the highest US rates plus a 35% state credit, followed by high-rate Northeast states like Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island (8–11 years). With the 30% federal credit gone for 2026 installs, paybacks run roughly 35–45% longer than they did in 2025. Sort the table below by any factor.
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| State | Region | Avg rate | Typical payback | Sun | Net metering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | West | ~41¢ | 6–8 years | Excellent | Customer Grid-Supply / smart export (no full 1:1) |
| Connecticut | Northeast | ~32¢ | 8–11 years | Moderate | Net billing (Residential Renewable Energy Solutions) |
| Rhode Island | Northeast | ~30¢ | 8–11 years | Moderate | Net metering (full retail) + Renewable Energy Growth |
| New Hampshire | Northeast | ~29¢ | 10–12 years | Moderate | Net metering (retail minus a small adjustment) |
| Maine | Northeast | ~28¢ | 10–12 years | Moderate | Net energy billing (kWh credit) |
| Vermont | Northeast | ~23¢ | 11–14 years | Moderate | Net metering with a renewable adder |
| New Jersey | Northeast | ~18¢ | 8–11 years | Good | Net metering (full retail) + SuSI SREC-II |
| Michigan | Midwest | ~18¢ | 12–15 years | Moderate | Distributed generation (inflow/outflow) tariff |
| Maryland | Northeast | ~17¢ | 10–12 years | Good | Net metering (full retail) |
| Pennsylvania | Northeast | ~17¢ | 11–15 years | Moderate | Net metering (full retail) |
| Wisconsin | Midwest | ~17¢ | 12–15 years | Moderate | Net metering (utility-specific) |
| Illinois | Midwest | ~16¢ | 10–14 years | Moderate | Net metering (transitioning by utility) |
| Ohio | Midwest | ~16¢ | 12–16 years | Moderate | Net metering (utility-specific) |
| Indiana | Midwest | ~16¢ | 14–17 years | Moderate | Excess generation credit (post-net-metering) |
| Florida | South | ~15¢ | 11–15 years | Excellent | Full-retail net metering (1:1) |
| Virginia | South | ~14¢ | 12–16 years | Good | Net metering (full retail) |
| South Carolina | South | ~14¢ | 11–15 years | Very good | Net billing (Solar Choice tariff) |
| Georgia | South | ~14¢ | 12–16 years | Very good | Monthly netting (Georgia Power) |
| New Mexico | West | ~14¢ | 11–15 years | Excellent | Net metering (full retail) |
| Nevada | West | ~14¢ | 12–16 years | Excellent | Net billing (~75% of retail) |
| Missouri | Midwest | ~13¢ | 14–17 years | Good | Net metering (full retail up to a cap) |
| North Carolina | South | ~13¢ | 12–16 years | Very good | Net billing (bridge rate) |
| Louisiana | South | ~12¢ | 15–19 years | Very good | Net billing (avoided-cost export) |
| Utah | West | ~11¢ | 14–17 years | Excellent | Net billing (export credit) |
| Idaho | West | ~11¢ | 15–19 years | Good | Net metering (utility-specific) |
| Washington | West | ~11¢ | 15–19 years | Moderate | Net metering (full retail) |
Rates are approximate residential averages (¢/kWh) and payback is a typical owned-system estimate for a 2026 install with no federal tax credit (the 30% credit ended after 2025); both vary by utility, system size and incentives. Open any state for the full breakdown. Run your own numbers in the Payback Calculator.
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