Is solar worth it in your state?

Arizona has some of the best sunshine in the country, so systems produce a lot — but electricity is relatively cheap, which lengthens payback a little.

~10.5 yr payback · 6.5 sun hrs · $0.15/kWh

California's high electricity rates make solar savings large, but NEM 3.0 slashed the credit for power you export to the grid — so payback is best if you use most of your solar as you generate it, or pair it with a battery.

~6.0 yr payback · 5.5 sun hrs · $0.31/kWh

Colorado combines strong, high-altitude sunshine with solid utility programs.

~12.5 yr payback · 5.5 sun hrs · $0.15/kWh

Connecticut doesn't get the most sun, but its very high electricity rates mean every kWh you offset is worth a lot — so payback can still be quick.

~9.2 yr payback · 4 sun hrs · $0.28/kWh

DC's standout is its SREC market — solar renewable energy credits here have been among the most valuable in the country, often dramatically shortening payback on top of the energy savings.

~15.3 yr payback · 4.2 sun hrs · $0.16/kWh

The Sunshine State lives up to the name with strong production, and Florida still offers full 1:1 retail net metering, so exported power is credited at full value.

~12.9 yr payback · 5.3 sun hrs · $0.15/kWh

Georgia gets good sun, but low electricity rates and limited net metering mean savings per kWh are modest — payback runs a bit longer here than in high-rate states, and longer still now the federal credit has ended.

~15.6 yr payback · 4.7 sun hrs · $0.14/kWh

Hawaii has the highest electricity prices in the nation by far, so solar savings are enormous and payback is often the fastest anywhere — despite high install costs.

~4.3 yr payback · 5.8 sun hrs · $0.41/kWh

Illinois pairs modest sun with a strong state incentive (Illinois Shines / SREC program) that can meaningfully cut net cost.

~16.1 yr payback · 4 sun hrs · $0.16/kWh

Maine surprises people: limited sun, but very high electricity rates and favorable net metering make solar pay back faster than the climate suggests.

~11.2 yr payback · 4 sun hrs · $0.23/kWh

Maryland offers a state grant plus an active SREC market — now that the federal credit has ended, those carry the savings — and rates are above average — a combination that makes payback attractive despite middling sun..

~13.6 yr payback · 4.2 sun hrs · $0.18/kWh

Massachusetts has modest sun but very high electricity rates and the SMART incentive program, so solar pays back quickly here.

~8.6 yr payback · 4 sun hrs · $0.3/kWh

Michigan's sun is on the low side and net metering was replaced with a less generous inflow/outflow tariff, so size your system to your own usage.

~14.2 yr payback · 3.8 sun hrs · $0.19/kWh

Nevada has excellent sun and a lot of solar adoption.

~10.7 yr payback · 6.4 sun hrs · $0.15/kWh

New Jersey is a top solar state thanks to its SREC-II program, which pays you per megawatt-hour generated for years.

~13.6 yr payback · 4.2 sun hrs · $0.18/kWh

New Mexico has superb sunshine and a state tax credit, which now that the federal credit has ended is the only credit on offer — systems still produce heavily.

~10.5 yr payback · 6.5 sun hrs · $0.15/kWh

New York pairs modest sun with strong incentives — NY-Sun rebates plus a generous state tax credit — and high rates.

~11.8 yr payback · 3.8 sun hrs · $0.23/kWh

North Carolina gets good sun and is a major solar state, though residential net metering terms have tightened.

~16.8 yr payback · 4.7 sun hrs · $0.13/kWh

Ohio has modest sun and average rates, with a small SREC market.

~16.5 yr payback · 3.9 sun hrs · $0.16/kWh

Pennsylvania has limited sun but an active SREC market and above-average rates, so a right-sized system pays back reasonably.

~14.6 yr payback · 3.9 sun hrs · $0.18/kWh

South Carolina gets solid sun and has had favorable net metering, making payback competitive.

~14.6 yr payback · 4.7 sun hrs · $0.15/kWh

Texas has abundant sun and high summer use, so systems produce a lot.

~13.2 yr payback · 5.2 sun hrs · $0.15/kWh

Virginia gets decent sun and has net metering plus an SREC market, with rates near the national average.

~16.7 yr payback · 4.4 sun hrs · $0.14/kWh

Washington has the least sun and very cheap hydro electricity, so pure-savings payback is the longest in the country — solar here is more about energy independence than fast returns.

~26.7 yr payback · 3.5 sun hrs · $0.11/kWh