Solar Panel Cost by City: Real Per-City Production Data on SolarCostData — 2026 Energy Cost, Savings & Tax-Credit Calculators

How Much Is Solar in Charlotte, NC? $2.35/W, 22.3-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:46:00 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Charlotte produces about 1,431 kWh a year, the highest of the 2 North Carolina cities modeled here — ahead of Raleigh at 1,424. On an 8 kW system that is a payback of about 20.7 years, against 20.8 years in Raleigh, on identical hardware at the same 15.16¢/kWh.

Charlotte against the rest of North Carolina

Two North Carolina cities have their own modeled figures, and they are only 0.5% apart — Raleigh at 1,424 kWh per kW against Charlotte at 1,431, which is a remarkably narrow gap by the standards of this dataset. The rate, the export rule and the $2.35/W installed cost are identical for both; only production moves.

How Much Is Solar in Minneapolis, MN? $3.23/W, 16.4-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:46:00 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Minneapolis produces about 1,284 kWh a year — the only Minnesota city with its own modeled figure, so the useful comparison is against the statewide 1,235 kWh per kW band rather than another city. On an 8 kW system that is a payback of about 16.1 years at 17.45¢/kWh.

What sets Minneapolis apart

Northern States Power (Xcel) territory.

Your utility, officially

Minnesota’s average residential rate is 17.4¢/kWh, but the bill in Minneapolis comes from Xcel Energy (Northern States Power) at 16.98¢ — 2.7% below the state figure. These are the residential figures Minneapolis’s utility reported to the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Form EIA-861 for 2024 — computed as revenue ÷ sales from the official file, not estimated:

How Much Is Solar in Nashville, TN? $3.56/W, 20.8–32.7-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:46:00 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Nashville produces about 1,340 kWh a year — the only Tennessee city with its own modeled figure, so the useful comparison is against the statewide 1,290 kWh per kW band rather than another city. On an 8 kW system that is a payback of about 20.5 years at 13.71¢/kWh.

What sets Nashville apart

Nashville Electric Service, a TVA distributor - export rule unverified, page shows a range.

Solar Cost in Salt Lake City, UT 2026: ~23.7-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:46:00 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Salt Lake City produces about 1,486 kWh a year — the only Utah city with its own modeled figure, so the useful comparison is against the statewide 1,430 kWh per kW band rather than another city. On an 8 kW system that is a payback of about 23.1 years at 13.12¢/kWh.

What sets Salt Lake City apart

Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp UT) territory.

Your utility, officially

Utah’s average residential rate is 13.1¢/kWh, but the bill in Salt Lake City comes from Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp UT) at 12.52¢ — 4.6% below the state figure. These are the residential figures Salt Lake City’s utility reported to the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Form EIA-861 for 2024 — computed as revenue ÷ sales from the official file, not estimated:

Solar Panel Cost in Albuquerque, NM 2026: ~10.3-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:46:00 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Albuquerque produces about 1,809 kWh a year — the only New Mexico city with its own modeled figure, so the useful comparison is against the statewide 1,720 kWh per kW band rather than another city. On an 8 kW system that is a payback of about 10.0 years at 16.09¢/kWh.

What sets Albuquerque apart

Highest yield in wave 2 at 1,809 - high desert at 5,300 feet.

Solar Panel Cost in Baltimore, MD 2026: ~11.8-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:46:00 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Baltimore produces about 1,343 kWh a year — the only Maryland city with its own modeled figure, so the useful comparison is against the statewide 1,280 kWh per kW band rather than another city. On an 8 kW system that is a payback of about 9.9 years at 21.41¢/kWh.

What sets Baltimore apart

BGE territory; five-point cluster around the harbor.

Your utility, officially

Maryland’s average residential rate is 21.4¢/kWh, but the bill in Baltimore comes from BGE at 17.91¢ — 16% below the state figure. These are the residential figures Baltimore’s utility reported to the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Form EIA-861 for 2024 — computed as revenue ÷ sales from the official file, not estimated:

Solar Panel Cost in Raleigh, NC 2026: ~20.3-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:46:00 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Raleigh produces about 1,424 kWh a year, the lowest of the 2 North Carolina cities modeled here — behind Charlotte at 1,431. That is a payback of roughly 20.8 years against 20.7 years in Charlotte, with the same electricity rate, the same export rule and the same installed price. The difference is entirely the sky.

What sets Raleigh apart

Duke Energy Progress territory — a different Duke company with a different price than Charlotte.

How Much Is Solar in Dallas, TX? $2.25/W, 10.7–21.1-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

Dallas at 1,455 kWh per kW is the cluster our Texas state page is built on, and it sits close to the middle of a state with the widest useful solar spread in the country. Houston, the larger metro, runs 1,389. El Paso runs 1,784 — 28% more than Houston. On an 8 kW system that is 8.8 years to payback in El Paso against 11.2 on the Gulf coast.

An 8 kW system in Dallas, priced out

Table 1: How Much Is Solar in Dallas, TX? $2.25/W, 10.7–21.1-Yr Payback
Metric	Estimate for Dallas	Texas statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,455 kWh per kW/yr	1,455 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~10,476 kWh/yr	~10,476 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	15.9¢/kWh (EIA)	15.9¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$18,000 at $2.25/watt	~$18,000
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Set by your utility or retail provider	Set by your utility or retail provider
Export credit modeled	your own rate (varies by provider)	your own rate (varies by provider)
Annual value of that output	~$1,664	~$1,664
Rough payback (your utility)	10.7–21.1 years	10.7 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$29,450	—

Only the first two rows differ. Everything financial — rate, tariff, price per watt — is inherited from Texas without change, which is the point: a city page that quietly used a different electricity rate from its state page would be guessing, not measuring.

How Much Is Solar in Detroit, MI? $2.91/W, 21.4-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Detroit produces about 1,247 kWh a year — the only Michigan city with its own modeled figure, so the useful comparison is against the statewide 1,205 kWh per kW band rather than another city. On an 8 kW system that is a payback of about 19.1 years at 23.05¢/kWh.

What sets Detroit apart

DTE Electric territory; tightest five-point spread in the wave (1243-1252).

Your utility, officially

Michigan’s average residential rate is 23.1¢/kWh, but the bill in Detroit comes from DTE Electric at 20.13¢ — 13% below the state figure. These are the residential figures Detroit’s utility reported to the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Form EIA-861 for 2024 — computed as revenue ÷ sales from the official file, not estimated:

How Much Is Solar in Houston, TX? $2.25/W, 11.2–22.0-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

Houston is the largest metro in Texas and the weakest of the three Texas locations we have data for: 1,389 kWh per kW, against 1,455 in Dallas and 1,784 in El Paso. El Paso produces 28% more from the same 8 kW array, in the same state, under the same retail electricity market — 8.8 years to payback there against 11.2 years here.

Humidity, haze and afternoon convection

The Gulf is 50 miles away and it shapes everything. Moist maritime air means morning low cloud, summer haze that scatters direct beam irradiance, and near-daily afternoon convective towers from June through September. None of it is dramatic on any single day; across a year it is worth about 5% against Dallas and 22% against El Paso.

How Much Is Solar in Philadelphia, PA? $2.58/W, 14.0-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Philadelphia produces about 1,320 kWh a year, the highest of the 2 Pennsylvania cities modeled here — ahead of Pittsburgh at 1,186. On an 8 kW system that is a payback of about 9.8 years, against 10.9 years in Pittsburgh, on identical hardware at the same 21.72¢/kWh.

Pennsylvania is not one solar market

Two Pennsylvania cities have their own modeled figures, and they are 11% apart — Pittsburgh at 1,186 kWh per kW against Philadelphia at 1,320. The rate, the export rule and the $2.58/W installed cost are identical for both; only production moves.

How Much Is Solar in Seattle, WA? $2.55/W, 18.6-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

Seattle produces 1,086 kWh per kW — low by national standards, and the basis of Washington’s statewide band. What the state figure cannot show you is the spread around it: Yakima, across the Cascades, makes 1,320 (22% more), while Everett, 25 miles north inside the same metro area, makes only 999. That intra-metro gap is worth 1.3 years of payback.

An 8 kW system in Seattle, priced out

Table 1: How Much Is Solar in Seattle, WA? $2.55/W, 18.6-Yr Payback
Metric	Estimate for Seattle	Washington statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,086 kWh per kW/yr	1,045 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~7,819 kWh/yr	~7,524 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	14.7¢/kWh (EIA)	14.7¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$20,400 at $2.55/watt	~$20,400
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Full-retail net metering	Full-retail net metering
Export credit modeled	retail (14.7¢/kWh)	retail (14.7¢/kWh)
Annual value of that output	~$1,150	~$1,107
Rough payback (your utility)	18.6 years	18.5 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$10,633	—

Only the first two rows differ. Everything financial — rate, tariff, price per watt — is inherited from Washington without change, which is the point: a city page that quietly used a different electricity rate from its state page would be guessing, not measuring.

Solar Cost in Corpus Christi, TX 2026: ~10.5–20.8-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Corpus Christi produces about 1,479 kWh a year, placing it 3 of 7 among the Texas cities modeled here. The state spans El Paso at 1,784 down to Houston at 1,389, a 28% span, and Corpus Christi sits inside it at a payback of about 10.5 years.

An 8 kW system in Corpus Christi, priced out

Table 1: Solar Cost in Corpus Christi, TX 2026: ~10.5–20.8-Yr Payback
Metric	Estimate for Corpus Christi	Texas statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,479 kWh per kW/yr	1,455 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~10,649 kWh/yr	~10,476 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	15.9¢/kWh (EIA)	15.9¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$18,000 at $2.25/watt	~$18,000
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Set by your utility or retail provider	Set by your utility or retail provider
Export credit modeled	your own rate (varies by provider)	your own rate (varies by provider)
Annual value of that output	~$1,691	~$1,664
Rough payback (your utility)	10.5–20.8 years	10.7 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$30,328	—

Solar Cost in El Paso, TX 2026: ~10.3–19.7-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

1,784 kWh per kW. That is the highest figure on this entire site — higher than Phoenix (1,688), higher than Las Vegas (1,689), and 28% higher than Houston, 750 miles away in the same state. An 8 kW array here makes 12,845 kWh a year against Houston’s 10,001, and pays back in 10.3–19.7 years against Houston’s 11.2.

Texas is not one solar market

Across the 7 Texas cities with their own modeled figures, production spans 28% — Houston at 1,389 kWh per kW to El Paso at 1,784. Every column except production is identical down this table: same 15.9¢/kWh retail rate, same export regime, same $2.25/W installed cost. The payback differences are caused by weather and nothing else.

Solar Cost in Everett, WA 2026: ~23.8–37.6-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

Everett produces 999 kWh per kW — the lowest figure anywhere in this dataset, and the only one under 1,000. Seattle, 25 miles south in the same metropolitan area, manages 1,086. Like for like, that 8% production gap alone is worth 1.3 years of payback. The 23.8–37.6-year range shown here is priced on Everett’s own utility — Snohomish County PUD at 11.51¢/kWh, whose export rule we could not verify — and that open question, not the cloud, is what stretches the top of the range.

Solar Panel Cost in Austin, TX 2026: ~17.8-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Austin produces about 1,447 kWh a year, placing it 6 of 7 among the Texas cities modeled here. The state spans El Paso at 1,784 down to Houston at 1,389, a 28% span, and Austin sits inside it at a payback of about 10.7 years.

An 8 kW system in Austin, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in Austin, TX 2026: ~17.8-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for Austin	Texas statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,447 kWh per kW/yr	1,455 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~10,418 kWh/yr	~10,476 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	15.9¢/kWh (EIA)	15.9¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$18,000 at $2.25/watt	~$18,000
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Set by your utility or retail provider	Set by your utility or retail provider
Export credit modeled	your own rate (varies by provider)	your own rate (varies by provider)
Annual value of that output	~$1,654	~$1,664
Rough payback (your utility)	17.8 years	10.7 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$29,158	—

Solar Panel Cost in Bellingham, WA 2026: ~18.9-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Bellingham produces about 1,022 kWh a year, placing it 5 of 6 among the Washington cities modeled here. The state spans Yakima at 1,320 down to Everett at 999, a 32% span, and Bellingham sits inside it at a payback of about 18.9 years.

An 8 kW system in Bellingham, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in Bellingham, WA 2026: ~18.9-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for Bellingham	Washington statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,022 kWh per kW/yr	1,045 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~7,358 kWh/yr	~7,524 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	14.7¢/kWh (EIA)	14.7¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$20,400 at $2.55/watt	~$20,400
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Full-retail net metering	Full-retail net metering
Export credit modeled	retail (14.7¢/kWh)	retail (14.7¢/kWh)
Annual value of that output	~$1,082	~$1,107
Rough payback (your utility)	18.9 years	18.5 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$8,465	—

Solar Panel Cost in Cleveland, OH 2026: ~24.3-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Cleveland produces about 1,209 kWh a year, the lowest of the 2 Ohio cities modeled here — behind Columbus at 1,263. That is a payback of roughly 21.4 years against 20.6 years in Columbus, with the same electricity rate, the same export rule and the same installed price. The difference is entirely the sky.

What sets Cleveland apart

Lake-effect cloud trims the yield below Columbus; Illuminating Company territory.

Solar Panel Cost in Columbus, OH 2026: ~20.7-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Columbus produces about 1,263 kWh a year, the highest of the 2 Ohio cities modeled here — ahead of Cleveland at 1,209. On an 8 kW system that is a payback of about 20.6 years, against 21.4 years in Cleveland, on identical hardware at the same 19.45¢/kWh.

Columbus against the rest of Ohio

Two Ohio cities have their own modeled figures, and they are only 4.5% apart — Cleveland at 1,209 kWh per kW against Columbus at 1,263, which is a remarkably narrow gap by the standards of this dataset. The rate, the export rule and the $2.69/W installed cost are identical for both; only production moves.

Solar Panel Cost in Lubbock, TX 2026: ~9.3–18.6-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Lubbock produces about 1,682 kWh a year, placing it 2 of 7 among the Texas cities modeled here. The state spans El Paso at 1,784 down to Houston at 1,389, a 28% span, and Lubbock sits inside it at a payback of about 9.3 years.

An 8 kW system in Lubbock, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in Lubbock, TX 2026: ~9.3–18.6-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for Lubbock	Texas statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,682 kWh per kW/yr	1,455 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~12,110 kWh/yr	~10,476 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	15.9¢/kWh (EIA)	15.9¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$18,000 at $2.25/watt	~$18,000
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Set by your utility or retail provider	Set by your utility or retail provider
Export credit modeled	your own rate (varies by provider)	your own rate (varies by provider)
Annual value of that output	~$1,923	~$1,664
Rough payback (your utility)	9.3–18.6 years	10.7 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$37,750	—

Solar Panel Cost in Pittsburgh, PA 2026: ~10.9-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Pittsburgh produces about 1,186 kWh a year, the lowest of the 2 Pennsylvania cities modeled here — behind Philadelphia at 1,320. That is a payback of roughly 10.9 years against 9.8 years in Philadelphia, with the same electricity rate, the same export rule and the same installed price. The difference is entirely the sky.

What sets Pittsburgh apart

Lowest wave-2 yield modeled — river-valley cloud shows up clearly against Philadelphia.

Solar Panel Cost in San Antonio, TX 2026: ~27.3-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in San Antonio produces about 1,457 kWh a year, placing it 4 of 7 among the Texas cities modeled here. The state spans El Paso at 1,784 down to Houston at 1,389, a 28% span, and San Antonio sits inside it at a payback of about 10.7 years.

An 8 kW system in San Antonio, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in San Antonio, TX 2026: ~27.3-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for San Antonio	Texas statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,457 kWh per kW/yr	1,455 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~10,490 kWh/yr	~10,476 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	15.9¢/kWh (EIA)	15.9¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$18,000 at $2.25/watt	~$18,000
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Set by your utility or retail provider	Set by your utility or retail provider
Export credit modeled	your own rate (varies by provider)	your own rate (varies by provider)
Annual value of that output	~$1,666	~$1,664
Rough payback (your utility)	27.3 years	10.7 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$29,523	—

Solar Panel Cost in Spokane, WA 2026: ~19.8-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Spokane produces about 1,195 kWh a year, placing it 2 of 6 among the Washington cities modeled here. The state spans Yakima at 1,320 down to Everett at 999, a 32% span, and Spokane sits inside it at a payback of about 16.5 years.

An 8 kW system in Spokane, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in Spokane, WA 2026: ~19.8-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for Spokane	Washington statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,195 kWh per kW/yr	1,045 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~8,604 kWh/yr	~7,524 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	14.7¢/kWh (EIA)	14.7¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$20,400 at $2.55/watt	~$20,400
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Full-retail net metering	Full-retail net metering
Export credit modeled	retail (14.7¢/kWh)	retail (14.7¢/kWh)
Annual value of that output	~$1,266	~$1,107
Rough payback (your utility)	19.8 years	18.5 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$14,324	—

Solar Panel Cost in Tacoma, WA 2026: ~24.1-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Tacoma produces about 1,046 kWh a year, placing it 4 of 6 among the Washington cities modeled here. The state spans Yakima at 1,320 down to Everett at 999, a 32% span, and Tacoma sits inside it at a payback of about 18.5 years.

An 8 kW system in Tacoma, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in Tacoma, WA 2026: ~24.1-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for Tacoma	Washington statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,046 kWh per kW/yr	1,045 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~7,531 kWh/yr	~7,524 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	14.7¢/kWh (EIA)	14.7¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$20,400 at $2.55/watt	~$20,400
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Full-retail net metering	Full-retail net metering
Export credit modeled	retail (14.7¢/kWh)	retail (14.7¢/kWh)
Annual value of that output	~$1,108	~$1,107
Rough payback (your utility)	24.1 years	18.5 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$9,278	—

Solar Panel Cost in Yakima, WA 2026: ~19.3-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:59 +0300

Yakima produces 1,320 kWh per kW against Seattle’s 1,086 — 22% more, on the same hardware, under the same net-metering statute. The payback still runs 19.3 years, because Yakima’s utility, Pacific Power, bills only 11.08¢/kWh — cheap enough to swallow the whole sunshine advantage. The Cascade crest changed the sky; the bill is another story.

Washington is not one solar market

Across the 6 Washington cities with their own modeled figures, production spans 32% — Everett at 999 kWh per kW to Yakima at 1,320. Every column except production is identical down this table: same 14.7¢/kWh retail rate, same export regime, same $2.55/W installed cost. The payback differences are caused by weather and nothing else.

How Much Is Solar in Boston, MA? $2.91/W, 12.4-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Boston produces about 1,257 kWh a year, the highest of the 3 Massachusetts cities modeled here — ahead of Worcester at 1,252, Springfield at 1,220. On an 8 kW system that is a payback of about 8.3 years, against 8.5 years in Springfield, on identical hardware at the same 30.49¢/kWh.

Boston against the rest of Massachusetts

Across the 3 Massachusetts cities with their own modeled figures, production spans 3.0% — Springfield at 1,220 kWh per kW to Boston at 1,257. Every column except production is identical down this table: same 30.5¢/kWh retail rate, same export regime, same $2.91/W installed cost. The payback differences are caused by weather and nothing else.

How Much Is Solar in Chicago, IL? $3.02/W, 31.3-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Chicago produces about 1,235 kWh a year, the lowest of the 3 Illinois cities modeled here — behind Springfield at 1,296, Rockford at 1,249. That is a payback of roughly 23.1 years against 22.2 years in Springfield, with the same electricity rate, the same export rule and the same installed price. The difference is entirely the sky.

What sets Chicago apart

The reference point for Illinois, held back by Great Lakes cloud in winter.

How Much Is Solar in New York City, NY? $2.76/W, 7.0-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

New York City produces 1,255 kWh per kW — a fraction below the 1,270 statewide band and nothing special in national terms. It pays back in about 7.0 years anyway, because the city pays 34.24¢/kWh. Buffalo, at the other end of the state, makes 1,129 — 10% less — for a payback of 8.9 years on the identical system.

An 8 kW system in New York City, priced out

Table 1: How Much Is Solar in New York City, NY? $2.76/W, 7.0-Yr Payback
Metric	Estimate for New York City	New York statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,255 kWh per kW/yr	1,270 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~9,036 kWh/yr	~9,144 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	29.9¢/kWh (EIA)	29.9¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$22,080 at $2.76/watt	~$22,080
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Full-retail net metering	Full-retail net metering
Export credit modeled	retail (29.9¢/kWh)	retail (29.9¢/kWh)
Annual value of that output	~$2,702	~$2,734
Rough payback (your utility)	7.0 years	7.9 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$58,570	—

Only the first two rows differ. Everything financial — rate, tariff, price per watt — is inherited from New York without change, which is the point: a city page that quietly used a different electricity rate from its state page would be guessing, not measuring.

Solar Cost in Springfield, IL 2026: ~20.9–33.0-Yr Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Springfield produces about 1,296 kWh a year, the highest of the 3 Illinois cities modeled here — ahead of Rockford at 1,249, Chicago at 1,235. On an 8 kW system that is a payback of about 22.2 years, against 23.1 years in Chicago, on identical hardware at the same 19.22¢/kWh.

Springfield against the rest of Illinois

Across the 3 Illinois cities with their own modeled figures, production spans 4.9% — Chicago at 1,235 kWh per kW to Springfield at 1,296. Every column except production is identical down this table: same 19.2¢/kWh retail rate, same export regime, same $3.02/W installed cost. The payback differences are caused by weather and nothing else.

Solar Panel Cost in Albany, NY 2026: ~15.9-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Albany produces about 1,178 kWh a year, placing it 2 of 5 among the New York cities modeled here. The state spans New York City at 1,255 down to Syracuse at 1,114, a 13% span, and Albany sits inside it at a payback of about 8.5 years.

An 8 kW system in Albany, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in Albany, NY 2026: ~15.9-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for Albany	New York statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,178 kWh per kW/yr	1,270 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~8,482 kWh/yr	~9,144 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	29.9¢/kWh (EIA)	29.9¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$22,080 at $2.76/watt	~$22,080
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Full-retail net metering	Full-retail net metering
Export credit modeled	retail (29.9¢/kWh)	retail (29.9¢/kWh)
Annual value of that output	~$2,536	~$2,734
Rough payback (your utility)	15.9 years	7.9 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$53,269	—

Solar Panel Cost in Bend, OR 2026: ~14.4-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Bend produces about 1,418 kWh a year, the highest of the 4 Oregon cities modeled here — ahead of Medford at 1,316, Eugene at 1,156, Portland at 1,083. On an 8 kW system that is a payback of about 11.8 years, against 16.3 years in Portland, on identical hardware at the same 15.97¢/kWh.

Oregon is not one solar market

Across the 4 Oregon cities with their own modeled figures, production spans 31% — Portland at 1,083 kWh per kW to Bend at 1,418. Every column except production is identical down this table: same 16.0¢/kWh retail rate, same export regime, same $2.47/W installed cost. The payback differences are caused by weather and nothing else.

Solar Panel Cost in Buffalo, NY 2026: ~16.5-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

Buffalo produces 1,129 kWh per kW, 10% below New York City and 11% below the 1,270 figure our state page uses. On an 8 kW system that is 16.5 years to payback against New York City’s 8.0 — the same net-metering rules and the same $2.76/W install, but not the same rate: Buffalo’s bill comes from Niagara Mohawk at 16.67¢/kWh, well below the 29.9¢ state average.

Downwind of Lake Erie

Buffalo’s snow is famous; its cloud is the part that matters for solar. Cold air crossing a relatively warm Lake Erie picks up moisture and instability, and the resulting cloud deck sits over the eastern shore for much of late autumn and winter. Buffalo has among the fewest clear days of any large US city, and the deficit is concentrated in exactly the months when a rooftop array is already fighting a low sun angle.

Solar Panel Cost in Eugene, OR 2026: ~18.3–29.4-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Eugene produces about 1,156 kWh a year, placing it 3 of 4 among the Oregon cities modeled here. The state spans Bend at 1,418 down to Portland at 1,083, a 31% span, and Eugene sits inside it at a payback of about 15.4 years.

An 8 kW system in Eugene, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in Eugene, OR 2026: ~18.3–29.4-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for Eugene	Oregon statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,156 kWh per kW/yr	1,075 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~8,323 kWh/yr	~7,740 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	16.0¢/kWh (EIA)	16.0¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$19,760 at $2.47/watt	~$19,760
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Full-retail net metering	Full-retail net metering
Export credit modeled	retail (16.0¢/kWh)	retail (16.0¢/kWh)
Annual value of that output	~$1,329	~$1,236
Rough payback (your utility)	18.3–29.4 years	16.4 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$16,997	—

Only the first two rows differ. Everything financial — rate, tariff, price per watt — is inherited from Oregon without change, which is the point: a city page that quietly used a different electricity rate from its state page would be guessing, not measuring.

Solar Panel Cost in Las Vegas, NV 2026: ~17.9-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

Las Vegas produces 1,689 kWh per kW, one of the highest figures in the country and slightly below Nevada’s 1,705 state band. Reno, 450 miles north, manages 1,596 — only 5.5% less. Both of them pay back slowly: 17.9 years here and 22.1 in Reno, because power is cheap — Nevada Power bills 15.33¢/kWh in Las Vegas — and exports are credited well below that.

An 8 kW system in Las Vegas, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in Las Vegas, NV 2026: ~17.9-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for Las Vegas	Nevada statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,689 kWh per kW/yr	1,705 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~12,161 kWh/yr	~12,276 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	12.8¢/kWh (EIA)	12.8¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$19,040 at $2.38/watt	~$19,040
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Net billing — exports credited below retail	Net billing — exports credited below retail
Export credit modeled	3.83¢/kWh	3.83¢/kWh
Annual value of that output	~$901	~$909
Rough payback (your utility)	17.9 years	20.8 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$4,014	—

Only the first two rows differ. Everything financial — rate, tariff, price per watt — is inherited from Nevada without change, which is the point: a city page that quietly used a different electricity rate from its state page would be guessing, not measuring.

Solar Panel Cost in Medford, OR 2026: ~15.4-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Medford produces about 1,316 kWh a year, placing it 2 of 4 among the Oregon cities modeled here. The state spans Bend at 1,418 down to Portland at 1,083, a 31% span, and Medford sits inside it at a payback of about 12.7 years.

An 8 kW system in Medford, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in Medford, OR 2026: ~15.4-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for Medford	Oregon statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,316 kWh per kW/yr	1,075 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~9,475 kWh/yr	~7,740 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	16.0¢/kWh (EIA)	16.0¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$19,760 at $2.47/watt	~$19,760
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Full-retail net metering	Full-retail net metering
Export credit modeled	retail (16.0¢/kWh)	retail (16.0¢/kWh)
Annual value of that output	~$1,513	~$1,236
Rough payback (your utility)	15.4 years	16.4 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$22,881	—

Solar Panel Cost in Portland, OR 2026: ~14.5-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Portland produces about 1,083 kWh a year, the lowest of the 4 Oregon cities modeled here — behind Bend at 1,418, Medford at 1,316, Eugene at 1,156. That is a payback of roughly 16.3 years against 11.8 years in Bend, with the same electricity rate, the same export rule and the same installed price. The difference is entirely the sky.

What sets Portland apart

The reference point for Oregon and one of the lowest figures in the dataset — the wet side of the Cascades in a maritime climate.

Solar Panel Cost in Reno, NV 2026: ~19.7-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

Reno produces 1,596 kWh per kW — only 5.5% below Las Vegas, which is a much smaller gap than 450 miles of latitude and 2,500 feet of elevation would suggest. Payback is 19.7 years against Las Vegas’s 21.0, and both are long for the same reason: cheap power — Sierra Pacific bills 14.52¢/kWh here — and Nevada’s tiered net-billing credit.

The Sierra’s dry side, with real winters

Reno sits in the Sierra Nevada rain shadow at about 4,500 feet. The elevation buys thin, clean air and cool cell temperatures, which is why it holds so close to Las Vegas despite genuine winter weather. What it gives back is winter storm tracks that reach this far south and a handful of snow days a year that the 1,596 figure does not model.

Solar Panel Cost in Rochester, NY 2026: ~15.5-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Rochester produces about 1,137 kWh a year, placing it 3 of 5 among the New York cities modeled here. The state spans New York City at 1,255 down to Syracuse at 1,114, a 13% span, and Rochester sits inside it at a payback of about 8.8 years.

An 8 kW system in Rochester, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in Rochester, NY 2026: ~15.5-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for Rochester	New York statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,137 kWh per kW/yr	1,270 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~8,186 kWh/yr	~9,144 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	29.9¢/kWh (EIA)	29.9¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$22,080 at $2.76/watt	~$22,080
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Full-retail net metering	Full-retail net metering
Export credit modeled	retail (29.9¢/kWh)	retail (29.9¢/kWh)
Annual value of that output	~$2,448	~$2,734
Rough payback (your utility)	15.5 years	7.9 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$50,447	—

Solar Panel Cost in Rockford, IL 2026: ~31.0-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Rockford produces about 1,249 kWh a year, placing it 2 of 3 among the Illinois cities modeled here. The state spans Springfield at 1,296 down to Chicago at 1,235, a 4.9% span, and Rockford sits inside it at a payback of about 22.9 years.

An 8 kW system in Rockford, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in Rockford, IL 2026: ~31.0-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for Rockford	Illinois statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,249 kWh per kW/yr	1,245 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~8,993 kWh/yr	~8,964 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	19.2¢/kWh (EIA)	19.2¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$24,160 at $3.02/watt	~$24,160
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Net billing — exports credited below retail	Net billing — exports credited below retail
Export credit modeled	5.77¢/kWh	5.77¢/kWh
Annual value of that output	~$1,002	~$999
Rough payback (your utility)	31.0 years	23.0 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$2,149	—

Only the first two rows differ. Everything financial — rate, tariff, price per watt — is inherited from Illinois without change, which is the point: a city page that quietly used a different electricity rate from its state page would be guessing, not measuring.

Solar Panel Cost in Springfield, MA 2026: ~12.8-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Springfield produces about 1,220 kWh a year, the lowest of the 3 Massachusetts cities modeled here — behind Boston at 1,257, Worcester at 1,252. That is a payback of roughly 8.5 years against 8.3 years in Boston, with the same electricity rate, the same export rule and the same installed price. The difference is entirely the sky.

What sets Springfield apart

The weakest of the three, and still within 40 kWh/kW of Boston — a reminder that in a compact state the electricity rate matters far more than location.

Solar Panel Cost in Syracuse, NY 2026: ~16.7-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Syracuse produces about 1,114 kWh a year, the lowest of the 5 New York cities modeled here — behind New York City at 1,255, Albany at 1,178, Rochester at 1,137, Buffalo at 1,129. That is a payback of roughly 9.0 years against 8.0 years in New York City, with the same electricity rate, the same export rule and the same installed price. The difference is entirely the sky.

Solar Panel Cost in Worcester, MA 2026: ~10.8-Year Payback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:45:58 +0300

A kilowatt of panels in Worcester produces about 1,252 kWh a year, placing it 2 of 3 among the Massachusetts cities modeled here. The state spans Boston at 1,257 down to Springfield at 1,220, a 3.0% span, and Worcester sits inside it at a payback of about 8.3 years.

An 8 kW system in Worcester, priced out

Table 1: Solar Panel Cost in Worcester, MA 2026: ~10.8-Year Payback
Metric	Estimate for Worcester	Massachusetts statewide
Production, unshaded 20° south	1,252 kWh per kW/yr	1,250 kWh per kW/yr
8 kW output after a 10% roof derate	~9,014 kWh/yr	~9,000 kWh/yr
Average residential rate	30.5¢/kWh (EIA)	30.5¢/kWh
Installed cost, 8 kW	~$23,280 at $2.91/watt	~$23,280
2026 federal credit	$0	$0
Export rule	Full-retail net metering	Full-retail net metering
Export credit modeled	retail (30.5¢/kWh)	retail (30.5¢/kWh)
Annual value of that output	~$2,748	~$2,744
Rough payback (your utility)	10.8 years	8.3 years (state-average model)
25-year net position	$58,865	—

Only the first two rows differ. Everything financial — rate, tariff, price per watt — is inherited from Massachusetts without change, which is the point: a city page that quietly used a different electricity rate from its state page would be guessing, not measuring.

Colorado Springs, CO Solar Cost 2026: ~14.0–22.5-Yr Payback