Article
Solar Cost by State 2026: Cheapest and Most Expensive States
~13 min read
A 50-state solar cost table built from RenewableCalc's state data layer, including installed $/W, typical system cost, electricity rate, payback, net metering, and solar grade.
Solar cost by state is not just a sunshine ranking. Installed cost per watt, local electricity rates, export rules, and system size all change the economics. This data asset ranks every US state by installed solar cost per watt, then shows the full 50-state table for quote checks, reporting, and state-by-state solar planning.
Data Sources
Solar cost per watt
RenewableCalc states.ts data layer
Installed $/W assumptions are stored per state and currently reviewed through 2026-09-04. The page is regenerated from that data layer, not hand-edited state rows.
Electricity rates
EIA residential electricity benchmarks in states.ts
Rates are stored as dollars per kWh and used for solar ROI and payback planning estimates.
Solar production context
NREL / PVWatts-derived sun-hour assumptions in states.ts
Peak sun-hour assumptions support state-level solar planning and calculator defaults.
Policy context
State PUC, utility, and DSIRE-derived fields in states.ts
Net metering and state incentive notes are planning references. This page does not assume a 2026 federal residential solar tax credit; verify current tax and utility rules before purchase decisions.
Key findings
Across the 50-state dataset, the average installed solar cost is $3.00/W, the average modeled residential system is 8.0 kW, and the average upfront system cost before incentives is about $23,971. The average modeled payback is 13.4 years. The cheapest state by installed cost per watt is Arizona at $2.64/W, while the highest-cost state is Alaska at $3.85/W. The fastest modeled payback in the current data layer is California at 9 years. Cost per watt is only one input: high electricity prices can make an expensive solar market attractive, while low electricity prices can stretch payback even when installation costs are low.
Cheapest states for solar by cost per watt
These are the 10 lowest-cost states in the current data layer. The ranking uses installed cost per watt before incentives, then shows typical system size and modeled payback for context.
| Rank | State | Solar cost | Typical system | Est. upfront cost | Electricity rate | Payback | Net metering | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | $2.64/W | 8.0 kW | $21,120 | $0.16/kWh | 11 yrs | Net metering (export credit at avoided cost rate ~$0.09-0.10/kWh) | A |
| 2 | Kansas | $2.69/W | 8.5 kW | $22,865 | $0.15/kWh | 14 yrs | Varies by utility; no statewide mandate | C |
| 3 | Nevada | $2.69/W | 7.5 kW | $20,175 | $0.14/kWh | 13 yrs | Net metering (tiered, ~75-95% of retail rate) | A |
| 4 | Oklahoma | $2.69/W | 8.5 kW | $22,865 | $0.13/kWh | 13 yrs | Net metering at avoided cost rate | C |
| 5 | Arkansas | $2.75/W | 9.0 kW | $24,750 | $0.13/kWh | 13 yrs | Full retail net metering (1:1 credit) | D |
| 6 | Idaho | $2.75/W | 8.0 kW | $22,000 | $0.12/kWh | 13 yrs | Net metering at retail rate (Idaho Power/Rocky Mountain Power) | B |
| 7 | Nebraska | $2.75/W | 8.5 kW | $23,375 | $0.13/kWh | 14 yrs | Net metering at avoided cost rate | C |
| 8 | New Mexico | $2.75/W | 8.0 kW | $22,000 | $0.16/kWh | 9 yrs | Full retail net metering | A |
| 9 | Texas | $2.75/W | 8.0 kW | $22,000 | $0.16/kWh | 14 yrs | Varies by utility, no statewide mandate | B |
| 10 | Alabama | $2.80/W | 9.0 kW | $25,200 | $0.16/kWh | 14 yrs | Varies by utility, no statewide mandate | D |
Most expensive states for solar by cost per watt
Higher installed cost does not always mean poor economics. Hawaii, Massachusetts, and New York have high installed costs, but high electricity prices and strong local solar economics can still keep payback competitive.
| Rank | State | Solar cost | Typical system | Est. upfront cost | Electricity rate | Payback | Net metering | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $3.85/W | 6.0 kW | $23,100 | $0.26/kWh | 22 yrs | Full retail net metering (up to 25 kW) | D |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $3.52/W | 7.0 kW | $24,640 | $0.31/kWh | 13 yrs | Full retail net metering | A |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $3.52/W | 7.5 kW | $26,400 | $0.31/kWh | 11 yrs | Full retail net metering + SMART incentives | S |
| 4 | Vermont | $3.41/W | 7.0 kW | $23,870 | $0.24/kWh | 14 yrs | Full retail net metering | A |
| 5 | Maine | $3.41/W | 7.0 kW | $23,870 | $0.28/kWh | 16 yrs | Net energy billing (retail rate credit) | B |
| 6 | Connecticut | $3.41/W | 8.0 kW | $27,280 | $0.27/kWh | 13 yrs | Net metering at retail rate + monthly credit rollover | A |
| 7 | New York | $3.30/W | 7.0 kW | $23,100 | $0.27/kWh | 11 yrs | Full retail net metering (up to system size limit) | S |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $3.30/W | 7.0 kW | $23,100 | $0.27/kWh | 13 yrs | Full retail net metering | B |
| 9 | Hawaii | $3.30/W | 6.0 kW | $19,800 | $0.40/kWh | 9 yrs | Net metering capped/closed to new customers; replaced by CGS+ and Smart Export programs | S |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $3.19/W | 8.0 kW | $25,520 | $0.18/kWh | 16 yrs | Full retail net metering | C |
Full 50-state solar cost table
Use this table as a quote-checking reference, not as an installer bid. A real quote can differ because of roof complexity, panel choice, electrical upgrades, battery storage, permitting, financing, and local labor.
| Rank | State | Solar cost | Typical system | Est. upfront cost | Electricity rate | Payback | Net metering | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | $2.64/W | 8.0 kW | $21,120 | $0.16/kWh | 11 yrs | Net metering (export credit at avoided cost rate ~$0.09-0.10/kWh) | A |
| 2 | Kansas | $2.69/W | 8.5 kW | $22,865 | $0.15/kWh | 14 yrs | Varies by utility; no statewide mandate | C |
| 3 | Nevada | $2.69/W | 7.5 kW | $20,175 | $0.14/kWh | 13 yrs | Net metering (tiered, ~75-95% of retail rate) | A |
| 4 | Oklahoma | $2.69/W | 8.5 kW | $22,865 | $0.13/kWh | 13 yrs | Net metering at avoided cost rate | C |
| 5 | Arkansas | $2.75/W | 9.0 kW | $24,750 | $0.13/kWh | 13 yrs | Full retail net metering (1:1 credit) | D |
| 6 | Idaho | $2.75/W | 8.0 kW | $22,000 | $0.12/kWh | 13 yrs | Net metering at retail rate (Idaho Power/Rocky Mountain Power) | B |
| 7 | Nebraska | $2.75/W | 8.5 kW | $23,375 | $0.13/kWh | 14 yrs | Net metering at avoided cost rate | C |
| 8 | New Mexico | $2.75/W | 8.0 kW | $22,000 | $0.16/kWh | 9 yrs | Full retail net metering | A |
| 9 | Texas | $2.75/W | 8.0 kW | $22,000 | $0.16/kWh | 14 yrs | Varies by utility, no statewide mandate | B |
| 10 | Alabama | $2.80/W | 9.0 kW | $25,200 | $0.16/kWh | 14 yrs | Varies by utility, no statewide mandate | D |
| 11 | Georgia | $2.80/W | 9.0 kW | $25,200 | $0.14/kWh | 14 yrs | No net metering mandate (Georgia Power offers avoided cost rate ~$0.03-0.04/kWh) | C |
| 12 | Kentucky | $2.80/W | 8.5 kW | $23,800 | $0.14/kWh | 14 yrs | Net metering at retail rate (capped) | D |
| 13 | Louisiana | $2.80/W | 9.0 kW | $25,200 | $0.13/kWh | 13 yrs | Full retail net metering | C |
| 14 | Mississippi | $2.80/W | 9.0 kW | $25,200 | $0.15/kWh | 14 yrs | Net metering at avoided cost rate | D |
| 15 | North Carolina | $2.80/W | 9.0 kW | $25,200 | $0.15/kWh | 13 yrs | Net metering at retail rate (Duke Energy) | B |
| 16 | South Carolina | $2.80/W | 9.0 kW | $25,200 | $0.15/kWh | 11 yrs | Net metering at avoided cost rate | B |
| 17 | Tennessee | $2.80/W | 9.0 kW | $25,200 | $0.14/kWh | 14 yrs | No net metering mandate (TVA offers $0.02/kWh premium) | C |
| 18 | Florida | $2.86/W | 8.5 kW | $24,310 | $0.16/kWh | 13 yrs | Full retail net metering (subject to legislative changes) | A |
| 19 | Indiana | $2.86/W | 8.5 kW | $24,310 | $0.17/kWh | 14 yrs | Net metering at retail rate (being phased to avoided cost by 2027) | C |
| 20 | Iowa | $2.86/W | 8.0 kW | $22,880 | $0.14/kWh | 11 yrs | Full retail net metering | C |
| 21 | South Dakota | $2.86/W | 9.0 kW | $25,740 | $0.14/kWh | 14 yrs | Varies by utility; limited net metering | C |
| 22 | Utah | $2.86/W | 8.0 kW | $22,880 | $0.13/kWh | 13 yrs | Net metering at avoided cost rate (Rocky Mountain Power) | B |
| 23 | Wyoming | $2.86/W | 8.5 kW | $24,310 | $0.14/kWh | 16 yrs | Net metering at avoided cost rate | C |
| 24 | Missouri | $2.91/W | 8.5 kW | $24,735 | $0.13/kWh | 14 yrs | Net metering at avoided cost rate (some utilities offer retail) | C |
| 25 | Colorado | $2.97/W | 8.0 kW | $23,760 | $0.16/kWh | 13 yrs | Net metering at retail rate (Xcel Energy territory); avoided cost elsewhere | A |
| 26 | Montana | $2.97/W | 8.0 kW | $23,760 | $0.13/kWh | 16 yrs | Net metering at retail rate (NorthWestern Energy) | C |
| 27 | North Dakota | $2.97/W | 8.5 kW | $25,245 | $0.12/kWh | 17 yrs | Net metering at avoided cost rate | C |
| 28 | Ohio | $2.97/W | 8.5 kW | $25,245 | $0.18/kWh | 14 yrs | Net metering at retail rate (subject to caps) | C |
| 29 | Virginia | $2.97/W | 9.0 kW | $26,730 | $0.16/kWh | 13 yrs | Net metering at retail rate (Dominion Energy) | B |
| 30 | Washington | $2.97/W | 8.0 kW | $23,760 | $0.14/kWh | 16 yrs | Full retail net metering (annual credit) | B |
| 31 | West Virginia | $2.97/W | 8.0 kW | $23,760 | $0.16/kWh | 16 yrs | Net metering at retail rate (capped at 3%) | D |
| 32 | California | $3.08/W | 6.0 kW | $18,480 | $0.32/kWh | 9 yrs | Net billing (NEM 3.0, export rates ~$0.05-0.08/kWh) | S |
| 33 | Delaware | $3.08/W | 8.0 kW | $24,640 | $0.19/kWh | 11 yrs | Full retail net metering + SREC market | B |
| 34 | Illinois | $3.08/W | 8.0 kW | $24,640 | $0.18/kWh | 13 yrs | Full retail net metering | B |
| 35 | Maryland | $3.08/W | 8.0 kW | $24,640 | $0.21/kWh | 11 yrs | Full retail net metering | B |
| 36 | Oregon | $3.08/W | 7.5 kW | $23,100 | $0.16/kWh | 14 yrs | Full retail net metering | B |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $3.08/W | 8.0 kW | $24,640 | $0.20/kWh | 14 yrs | Full retail net metering | C |
| 38 | Michigan | $3.19/W | 8.0 kW | $25,520 | $0.20/kWh | 16 yrs | Net metering at retail rate (distributed generation) | C |
| 39 | Minnesota | $3.19/W | 7.5 kW | $23,925 | $0.16/kWh | 13 yrs | Full retail net metering | B |
| 40 | New Jersey | $3.19/W | 8.0 kW | $25,520 | $0.23/kWh | 11 yrs | Net metering at retail rate | A |
| 41 | Wisconsin | $3.19/W | 8.0 kW | $25,520 | $0.18/kWh | 16 yrs | Full retail net metering | C |
| 42 | Hawaii | $3.30/W | 6.0 kW | $19,800 | $0.40/kWh | 9 yrs | Net metering capped/closed to new customers; replaced by CGS+ and Smart Export programs | S |
| 43 | New Hampshire | $3.30/W | 7.0 kW | $23,100 | $0.27/kWh | 13 yrs | Full retail net metering | B |
| 44 | New York | $3.30/W | 7.0 kW | $23,100 | $0.27/kWh | 11 yrs | Full retail net metering (up to system size limit) | S |
| 45 | Connecticut | $3.41/W | 8.0 kW | $27,280 | $0.27/kWh | 13 yrs | Net metering at retail rate + monthly credit rollover | A |
| 46 | Maine | $3.41/W | 7.0 kW | $23,870 | $0.28/kWh | 16 yrs | Net energy billing (retail rate credit) | B |
| 47 | Vermont | $3.41/W | 7.0 kW | $23,870 | $0.24/kWh | 14 yrs | Full retail net metering | A |
| 48 | Massachusetts | $3.52/W | 7.5 kW | $26,400 | $0.31/kWh | 11 yrs | Full retail net metering + SMART incentives | S |
| 49 | Rhode Island | $3.52/W | 7.0 kW | $24,640 | $0.31/kWh | 13 yrs | Full retail net metering | A |
| 50 | Alaska | $3.85/W | 6.0 kW | $23,100 | $0.26/kWh | 22 yrs | Full retail net metering (up to 25 kW) | D |
Methodology
This page is generated from lib/data/states.ts, which is the same state data layer used by RenewableCalc's solar calculators and state pages. The estimated upfront cost is: estimated upfront cost = solarCostPerWatt x avgSystemSize x 1,000 The ranking sorts states by installed solar cost per watt before incentives. Electricity rate, payback, net metering, and solar grade are displayed as context fields so readers can distinguish cheap installation markets from high-ROI markets. For 2026 planning, this page does not default to a federal residential solar tax credit. State incentives, utility export rates, tax treatment, and program eligibility should be verified before signing a contract.
How to use this dataset
For homeowners, compare a quote's $/W against the state row first. If a quote is materially above the state benchmark, look for a clear reason: battery storage, premium equipment, roof work, service-panel upgrades, unusual permitting, financing costs, or a small system size that pushes fixed costs higher. For writers and researchers, cite the table as a planning dataset and link to the exact URL. The row values come from one maintained data layer, which makes the table easier to refresh than a hand-edited roundup.
Cite this page
> RenewableCalc. "Solar Cost by State 2026: Cheapest and Most Expensive States." Data layer reviewed 2026-07-03; state data latest refresh 2026-09-04. https://rencalc.com/en/articles/solar-cost-by-state-2026
Next step
Run a personalized estimate after checking the state benchmark. The Solar ROI Calculator applies your bill, state, system size, and project assumptions so you can compare a real quote against the planning range.
Quick questions
What is the main takeaway from Solar Cost by State 2026: Cheapest and Most Expensive States?
Solar cost by state is not just a sunshine ranking. Installed cost per watt, local electricity rates, export rules, and system size all change the economics. This data asset ranks every US state by installed solar cost per watt, then shows the full 50-state table for quote checks, reporting, and state-by-state solar planning.
Should I use a calculator before making a clean energy decision?
Yes. A calculator helps turn general advice into an estimate based on your usage, local electricity rate, equipment assumptions, and savings goal.
Are RenewableCalc estimates a quote or guarantee?
No. RenewableCalc estimates are planning tools. Final pricing, incentives, utility tariffs, tax treatment, and installer quotes can change the result.