Solar by State

Electricity rates, net metering rules and typical solar costs vary enormously by state. Pick yours for a snapshot, then jump into any calculator with your state's numbers already loaded.

West

California

$0.31/kWh · NEM 3.0 net billing

South

Texas

$0.15/kWh · Utility-specific net metering

South

Florida

$0.14/kWh · Statewide net metering

Northeast

New York

$0.23/kWh · Net metering / VDER

Northeast

Pennsylvania

$0.16/kWh · Statewide net metering

Midwest

Illinois

$0.16/kWh · Net metering + Illinois Shines

Midwest

Ohio

$0.15/kWh · Statewide net metering

South

Georgia

$0.13/kWh · Utility-specific programs

South

North Carolina

$0.12/kWh · Net metering

Midwest

Michigan

$0.18/kWh · Distributed Generation program

Northeast

New Jersey

$0.18/kWh · Net metering + SREC-II

South

Virginia

$0.14/kWh · Statewide net metering

West

Washington

$0.11/kWh · Net metering, low base rate

West

Arizona

$0.14/kWh · Net billing, avoided-cost export

Northeast

Massachusetts

$0.28/kWh · Net metering + SMART program

South

Tennessee

$0.12/kWh · TVA dispersed power production

Midwest

Indiana

$0.15/kWh · Declining net metering credit

Midwest

Missouri

$0.12/kWh · Statewide net metering

Northeast

Maryland

$0.17/kWh · Net metering + SREC market

Midwest

Wisconsin

$0.16/kWh · Utility-specific buyback

West

Colorado

$0.15/kWh · Statewide net metering

Midwest

Minnesota

$0.14/kWh · Net metering + Value of Solar option

South

South Carolina

$0.14/kWh · Net metering + 25% state credit

South

Alabama

$0.14/kWh · No statewide mandate, grid-access fee

South

Louisiana

$0.11/kWh · Avoided-cost net metering

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Why solar economics differ so much by state

Three things drive most of the state-to-state difference: your electricity rate (solar is worth more where grid power is expensive), your net metering policy (whether exported power is credited near retail rate or a lower "avoided cost" rate), and your local sun hours. Two identical systems in different states can have a payback period that differs by a factor of two or more. Pick your state above for a specific snapshot, or use the country/state selector inside any calculator directly.

Don't see your state yet? The 25 states above cover the majority of the US solar market — more are being added. In the meantime, select "United States" in any calculator's country dropdown and enter your own local electricity rate for an accurate estimate.