Solar Panel Cost by State in 2026: Real Prices & Payback
Average 2026 solar cost by state — with payback calculated without the expired federal credit. The number that matters most is your local electricity rate.
· Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A (July 2026 data) · next EIA update ~Oct 23
Choose your state for average price per watt, typical system size, and a realistic 2026 payback estimate (federal credit = $0).
| State | Electricity rate | Est. payback* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 48¢/kWh | 8.6 yrs | View → |
| California | 33.61¢/kWh | 9.7 yrs | View → |
| Maine | 32.41¢/kWh | 8.0 yrs | View → |
| Massachusetts | 30.49¢/kWh | 8.3 yrs | View → |
| New York | 29.9¢/kWh | 7.9 yrs | View → |
| Alaska | 28.83¢/kWh | 21.6 yrs | View → |
| Rhode Island | 28.29¢/kWh | 8.5 yrs | View → |
| New Hampshire | 26.6¢/kWh | 17.1 yrs | View → |
| New Jersey | 25.19¢/kWh | 9.2 yrs | View → |
| Connecticut | 24.16¢/kWh | 17.6 yrs | View → |
| Vermont | 23.75¢/kWh | 15.4 yrs | View → |
| Michigan | 23.05¢/kWh | 19.7 yrs | View → |
| Pennsylvania | 21.72¢/kWh | 10.2 yrs | View → |
| Maryland | 21.41¢/kWh | 10.4 yrs | View → |
| Ohio | 19.45¢/kWh | 21.3 yrs | View → |
| Illinois | 19.22¢/kWh | 23.0 yrs | View → |
| Wisconsin | 19.06¢/kWh | 14.8 yrs | View → |
| Delaware | 18.48¢/kWh | 11.7 yrs | View → |
| Virginia | 17.55¢/kWh | 11.7 yrs | View → |
| Minnesota | 17.45¢/kWh | 16.6 yrs | View → |
| Colorado | 17¢/kWh | 11.4 yrs | View → |
| Indiana | 16.73¢/kWh | 24.2 yrs | View → |
| Alabama | 16.4¢/kWh | 18.6 yrs | View → |
| Georgia | 16.27¢/kWh | 23.1 yrs | View → |
| Missouri | 16.09¢/kWh | 23.3 yrs | View → |
| New Mexico | 16.09¢/kWh | 10.5 yrs | View → |
| Iowa | 15.99¢/kWh | 27.6 yrs | View → |
| Oregon | 15.97¢/kWh | 16.4 yrs | View → |
| Texas | 15.88¢/kWh | 10.7 yrs | View → |
| West Virginia | 15.78¢/kWh | 20.6 yrs | View → |
| South Carolina | 15.47¢/kWh | 22.6 yrs | View → |
| Arizona | 15.38¢/kWh | 16.9 yrs | View → |
| South Dakota | 15.37¢/kWh | 39.7 yrs | View → |
| Kansas | 15.27¢/kWh | 22.1 yrs | View → |
| North Carolina | 15.16¢/kWh | 21.4 yrs | View → |
| Florida | 15.03¢/kWh | 10.6 yrs | View → |
| Montana | 14.99¢/kWh | 15.2 yrs | View → |
| Washington | 14.71¢/kWh | 18.5 yrs | View → |
| Mississippi | 14.54¢/kWh | 24.5 yrs | View → |
| Wyoming | 14.36¢/kWh | 18.1 yrs | View → |
| Oklahoma | 14.35¢/kWh | 24.0 yrs | View → |
| Arkansas | 14.33¢/kWh | 23.0 yrs | View → |
| Kentucky | 13.81¢/kWh | 22.6 yrs | View → |
| Nebraska | 13.78¢/kWh | 20.8 yrs | View → |
| Idaho | 13.73¢/kWh | 22.7 yrs | View → |
| Tennessee | 13.71¢/kWh | 21.2 yrs | View → |
| North Dakota | 13.41¢/kWh | 41.6 yrs | View → |
| Utah | 13.12¢/kWh | 23.8 yrs | View → |
| Nevada | 12.77¢/kWh | 20.8 yrs | View → |
| Louisiana | 12.72¢/kWh | 25.4 yrs | View → |
*Rough payback for a typical 8 kW system with the 2026 federal credit at $0, sorted by electricity rate (lower rate = longer payback). Estimates only — run your own numbers. Just after the rates themselves? The electricity rates by state page ranks all 50 with a free CSV.