Solar Panels by State — Costs, Savings & ROI Rankings
The definitive guide to solar panels by state — compare savings, payback periods, and 25-year ROI for all 50 US states plus Washington D.C. Use the interactive map, sortable data table, and state-specific solar pages to find the best solar investment for your location. All data from EIA and NREL, updated May 2026.
Electricity rates from U.S. EIA (May 2026). Sun hours from NREL Solar Radiation Database. Savings assume a south-facing roof and $200/month electricity bill.
Interactive Solar Map — All 50 States
Comparing solar panels by state starts with two variables: peak sun hours and local electricity rates. Darker orange = higher ROI. Hover any state to preview its data. Click to open the full state solar guide.
The Southwest dominates on sun, but the Northeast surprises on ROI. Massachusetts and Connecticut rank in the top 5 despite fewer sun hours — every kWh they generate displaces electricity at $0.28–$0.32/kWh, nearly double the national average.
Top 10 Best States for Solar — ROI Ranking
Ranked by 25-year ROI. The key insight: electricity rate predicts ROI better than sunshine. Hawaii leads because its grid costs ~$0.40/kWh — more than double the national average per EIA. Massachusetts and Connecticut rank top 5 despite modest sun hours.
Not sure which state numbers apply to you? Enter your ZIP and monthly bill — get personalized savings and payback in under 60 seconds.
Solar Data — All 50 States + D.C.
| State | Sun Hrs | $/kWh | 10-Yr Savings | Payback | ROI 25y |
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*10-year savings at $200/month bill, south-facing roof, 3% annual rate increase. Sources: EIA + NREL, May 2026.
Solar Panels by State — Frequently Asked Questions
Hawaii ranks #1 for solar panel ROI with the highest electricity rates in the US and a 5–7 year payback. California ranks #2. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut rank in the top 5 despite fewer sun hours — their high electricity rates make every kilowatt-hour generated significantly more valuable.
The US average solar payback period is 9–11 years. Top states like Hawaii and California see 5–8 years. Lower-rate states like Louisiana and Oklahoma can see 12–14 years. Sun hour data sourced from NREL's Solar Radiation Database.
Yes, in many cases. Massachusetts and Connecticut have electricity rates so high ($0.28–$0.32/kWh per EIA) that solar ROI remains strong despite fewer sun hours. A useful rule: if your rate exceeds $0.15/kWh, solar almost always makes financial sense regardless of location.
A peak sun hour is one hour during which solar irradiance averages 1,000 W/m² — the standard rating condition for solar panels. It is not the same as hours of daylight. Phoenix averages 6.5 peak sun hours per day; Boston averages 4.2, per NREL. Your output in kWh = panel wattage × peak sun hours per day.
Solar ROI = kWh generated × value per kWh. Northeast states like Massachusetts ($0.32/kWh), Rhode Island ($0.31/kWh), and Connecticut ($0.28/kWh) have rates nearly double Arizona's $0.16/kWh (all from EIA). So while a Massachusetts homeowner generates fewer kWh, each one saved is worth far more. Add generous state incentives — Massachusetts SMART program, Connecticut Green Bank — and the Northeast consistently outperforms sun-rich but rate-cheap markets.
Many states offer significant incentives beyond utility net metering. Massachusetts has the SMART program (generation credits). New York offers a 25% state tax credit (up to $5,000) plus NY-Sun Block incentives. New Jersey has Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs). Florida, Texas, and Arizona exempt solar equipment from sales tax. Most states have property tax exemptions so solar-added home value isn't reassessed. Check the DSIRE database for current programs.
Data from U.S. EIA, NREL, and DSIRE. Last updated May 2026. Use our calculator for personalized results.
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