Compare solar costs and sunlight by state

Compare installation cost benchmarks, peak sunlight hours and state policy research across all 50 US states. Production depends on the roof and system design; savings also depend on your utility's billing and export rules. The statewide payback number in this guide is a legacy screening benchmark, not a recalculated current-law return for a new project. Do not assume it reflects the end of the federal credit or a verified local incentive package. Use the no-incentive calculator case and a site-specific utility and production model instead.

State solar benchmark comparison

Prices are broad planning benchmarks, not installer quotes. Peak sun hours are a production input, not hours of guaranteed output. Legacy payback benchmarks are not recalculated current-law returns or guaranteed savings.

All 50 states: planning cost and sunlight benchmarks
State and research guide	Solar price benchmark	Daily peak sun hours
Alabama solar guide	$2.88/W	4.7 hours
Alaska solar guide	$3.35/W	3.1 hours
Arizona solar guide	$2.72/W	6.5 hours
Arkansas solar guide	$2.82/W	5.0 hours
California solar guide	$3.05/W	5.8 hours
Colorado solar guide	$2.93/W	5.6 hours
Connecticut solar guide	$3.12/W	4.0 hours
Delaware solar guide	$2.91/W	4.3 hours
Florida solar guide	$2.70/W	5.7 hours
Georgia solar guide	$2.78/W	5.2 hours
Hawaii solar guide	$3.28/W	5.9 hours
Idaho solar guide	$2.84/W	4.9 hours
Illinois solar guide	$3.02/W	4.2 hours
Indiana solar guide	$2.96/W	4.1 hours
Iowa solar guide	$2.94/W	4.4 hours
Kansas solar guide	$2.91/W	5.2 hours
Kentucky solar guide	$2.88/W	4.3 hours
Louisiana solar guide	$2.79/W	5.1 hours
Maine solar guide	$3.16/W	3.8 hours
Maryland solar guide	$2.98/W	4.3 hours
Massachusetts solar guide	$3.21/W	3.9 hours
Michigan solar guide	$3.03/W	3.8 hours
Minnesota solar guide	$3.04/W	4.2 hours
Mississippi solar guide	$2.84/W	5.1 hours
Missouri solar guide	$2.91/W	4.8 hours
Montana solar guide	$3.00/W	4.6 hours
Nebraska solar guide	$2.92/W	4.9 hours
Nevada solar guide	$2.75/W	6.3 hours
New Hampshire solar guide	$3.18/W	3.9 hours
New Jersey solar guide	$3.08/W	4.2 hours
New Mexico solar guide	$2.81/W	6.2 hours
New York solar guide	$3.14/W	4.0 hours
North Carolina solar guide	$2.76/W	5.0 hours
North Dakota solar guide	$3.01/W	4.5 hours
Ohio solar guide	$2.98/W	3.9 hours
Oklahoma solar guide	$2.82/W	5.4 hours
Oregon solar guide	$3.00/W	4.1 hours
Pennsylvania solar guide	$3.02/W	4.0 hours
Rhode Island solar guide	$3.20/W	4.0 hours
South Carolina solar guide	$2.83/W	5.2 hours
South Dakota solar guide	$3.02/W	4.7 hours
Tennessee solar guide	$2.85/W	4.8 hours
Texas solar guide	$2.69/W	5.6 hours
Utah solar guide	$2.79/W	5.7 hours
Vermont solar guide	$3.22/W	3.7 hours
Virginia solar guide	$2.89/W	4.7 hours
Washington solar guide	$2.97/W	3.8 hours
West Virginia solar guide	$3.00/W	4.0 hours
Wisconsin solar guide	$3.08/W	4.0 hours
Wyoming solar guide	$2.99/W	5.3 hours