The 50-state solar guide

Solar, explained for your state.

Costs, incentives and payback in every U.S. state — researched, plain English, no sales pitch.

States covered50 / 50

Federal credit30% — 2022–25 installs only

Verified pages50 of 50 — rising

Browse all 50 states Dare to compare your quotes

✓ 50 of 50 state guides carry verified, dated figures ✓ 3 of 6 guides published with sources ☀ Last research pass 2026-08-08 Nothing here is "in review" unlabeled — dates travel with every figure.

The payback estimator

Three honest numbers in, four honest numbers out — no email, no sales call. Adjust anything; every formula is shown.

Run the numbers — your payback estimate

Answer three questions about your home; nothing is saved or sent. Adjust any number — every formula is shown below.

Monthly electric bill $/mo Your electricity rate $/kWh Typical U.S. rate ≈ $0.16 — check your bill. Installer quote $/W Compare quotes on this number, before the tax credit.

My system was in service by Dec 31, 2025 — the 30% federal credit applies. Per the IRS, the credit is not available for property placed in service after that date, so most 2026 installs don't qualify.

What we assumed (and how to adjust it)

Sun in your home: the U.S. average — it varies by state, so check yours on the 50-state hub. The estimator starts from the national U.S. rule of thumb of ≈1,200 kWh generated per installed kW per year — high-sun states produce more, low-sun states less.

The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit is applied only if you tick the 2025-install box — it is not assumed for new installs (IRS, accessed 2026-08-08). The system is sized to roughly 100% of the annual usage you enter, so monthly savings ≈ your bill. Simple payback = net cost ÷ annual savings. Rate inflation, roof work, financing and batteries are ignored.

Planning math only — a real quote is the only number that matters. Federal-credit rule sourced from the IRS on 2026-08-08; the yield rule of thumb has no citation yet and is marked in review.

Tools the sales call won't hand you

Built for the moment you have three quotes on a table and a rep waiting for an answer.

Tool 01 — Quotes

Quote scorecard

Drop in up to three installer quotes. It computes $/W, flags anything far outside the 2026 market, and highlights the honest best value.

Tool 02 — Paper

Buyer checklist

A one-page, printable checklist of the questions and numbers worth having before you sign anything. Fits in a binder; survives the sales call.

Tool 03 — Math

Payback estimator

Bill, rate, quote — see your simple payback in ten seconds, on every state page, with every assumption disclosed.

Tool 04 — Sun

Sun look-up

ZIP in, measured 2024 sunshine out — a 12-month curve for your state, then a rough model of what a roof would make of it.

Tool 05 — Fit

Is solar right for me?

Ten questions, one scored verdict — the 60-second first-pass before you call an installer.

Tool 06 — Credits

SREC income calculator

Certificate markets (SREC/TREC, SMART, Shines) by state — size your system, type today's price, see the 10-year income math. In review, honestly labelled.

The 50-state mosaic

Amber tiles: high sun resource · pale amber: moderate · navy: lower. Every tile opens a state guide.

How to use this site

Three steps, in the order that matters.

Start with your state. Tariffs, incentives and net-metering rules are set locally — open the 50-state hub.
Read the verified numbers. Every figure carries a source and a verification date — start with the federal tax credit.
Quote smart. Compare installers on $/W and export credits, not marketing projections — learn the $/W math.