AlabamaAL
Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.89 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Alabama guide →Tool 07 · Table
All 50 states, side by side
Measured 2024 sun, resource zone and guide depth. Sort any column, filter by zone. Open each state guide for source details and local-policy review limits.
Rows50
Sun data2024 measured
SourceState pages
Use this free 50-state solar comparison table to compare measured sun, solar-resource context and guide depth side by side. Search or sort the table, then open the relevant state guide for incentives, costs and utility context.
No email required. Instant browser-based planning math with clear assumptions.
AlaskaAK
Sun zoneLowSun 20242.27 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Alaska guide →ArizonaAZ
Sun zoneHighSun 20245.53 kWh/m²/daySource notes4Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note dateSee guide
Open Arizona guide →ArkansasAR
Sun zoneHighSun 20244.61 kWh/m²/daySource notes3Guide depth3 source notesSource-note dateSee guide
Open Arkansas guide →Sun zoneHighSun 20245.02 kWh/m²/daySource notes4Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note dateSee guide
Open California guide →ColoradoCO
Sun zoneHighSun 20244.98 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Colorado guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.04 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Connecticut guide →DelawareDE
Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.34 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Delaware guide →FloridaFL
Sun zoneHighSun 20244.90 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Florida guide →GeorgiaGA
Sun zoneHighSun 20244.76 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Georgia guide →HawaiiHI
Sun zoneHighSun 20245.69 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Hawaii guide →IdahoID
Sun zoneHighSun 20244.68 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Idaho guide →IllinoisIL
Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.50 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Illinois guide →IndianaIN
Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.37 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Indiana guide →IowaIA
Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.42 kWh/m²/daySource notes4Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note dateSee guide
Open Iowa guide →KansasKS
Sun zoneHighSun 20244.69 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Kansas guide →KentuckyKY
Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.43 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Kentucky guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.81 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Louisiana guide →MaineME
Sun zoneMediumSun 20243.83 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Maine guide →MarylandMD
Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.35 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Maryland guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.06 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Massachusetts guide →MichiganMI
Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.08 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Michigan guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.02 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Minnesota guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.85 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Mississippi guide →MissouriMO
Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.58 kWh/m²/daySource notes0Guide depthlocal review pendingSource-note datepending
Open Missouri guide →MontanaMT
Sun zoneHighSun 20244.32 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Montana guide →NebraskaNE
Sun zoneHighSun 20244.68 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Nebraska guide →NevadaNV
Sun zoneHighSun 20245.49 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Nevada guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20243.93 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open New Hampshire guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.15 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open New Jersey guide →Sun zoneHighSun 20245.67 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open New Mexico guide →New YorkNY
Sun zoneMediumSun 20243.92 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open New York guide →Sun zoneHighSun 20244.57 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open North Carolina guide →Sun zoneHighSun 20244.12 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open North Dakota guide →OhioOH
Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.30 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Ohio guide →OklahomaOK
Sun zoneHighSun 20245.01 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Oklahoma guide →OregonOR
Sun zoneMediumSun 20243.87 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Oregon guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.15 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Pennsylvania guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.05 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Rhode Island guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.77 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open South Carolina guide →Sun zoneHighSun 20244.39 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open South Dakota guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.51 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Tennessee guide →TexasTX
Sun zoneHighSun 20244.96 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Texas guide →UtahUT
Sun zoneHighSun 20244.98 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Utah guide →VermontVT
Sun zoneMediumSun 20243.77 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Vermont guide →VirginiaVA
Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.44 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Virginia guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20243.43 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Washington guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.38 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open West Virginia guide →Sun zoneMediumSun 20244.22 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Wisconsin guide →WyomingWY
Sun zoneHighSun 20244.90 kWh/m²/daySource notes5Guide depth4+ source notesSource-note date2026-08-16
Open Wyoming guide →| State | Abbr | Sun zone | Sun 2024 (kWh/m²/day) | Source notes | Guide depth | Source-note date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | AL | Medium | 4.89 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Alaska | AK | Low | 2.27 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Arizona | AZ | High | 5.53 | 4 | 4+ source notes | See guide |
| Arkansas | AR | High | 4.61 | 3 | 3 source notes | See guide |
| California | CA | High | 5.02 | 4 | 4+ source notes | See guide |
| Colorado | CO | High | 4.98 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Connecticut | CT | Medium | 4.04 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Delaware | DE | Medium | 4.34 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Florida | FL | High | 4.90 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Georgia | GA | High | 4.76 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Hawaii | HI | High | 5.69 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Idaho | ID | High | 4.68 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Illinois | IL | Medium | 4.50 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Indiana | IN | Medium | 4.37 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Iowa | IA | Medium | 4.42 | 4 | 4+ source notes | See guide |
| Kansas | KS | High | 4.69 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Kentucky | KY | Medium | 4.43 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Louisiana | LA | Medium | 4.81 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Maine | ME | Medium | 3.83 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Maryland | MD | Medium | 4.35 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Massachusetts | MA | Medium | 4.06 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Michigan | MI | Medium | 4.08 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Minnesota | MN | Medium | 4.02 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Mississippi | MS | Medium | 4.85 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Missouri | MO | Medium | 4.58 | 0 | local review pending | pending |
| Montana | MT | High | 4.32 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Nebraska | NE | High | 4.68 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Nevada | NV | High | 5.49 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| New Hampshire | NH | Medium | 3.93 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| New Jersey | NJ | Medium | 4.15 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| New Mexico | NM | High | 5.67 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| New York | NY | Medium | 3.92 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| North Carolina | NC | High | 4.57 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| North Dakota | ND | High | 4.12 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Ohio | OH | Medium | 4.30 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Oklahoma | OK | High | 5.01 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Oregon | OR | Medium | 3.87 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Pennsylvania | PA | Medium | 4.15 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Rhode Island | RI | Medium | 4.05 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| South Carolina | SC | Medium | 4.77 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| South Dakota | SD | High | 4.39 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Tennessee | TN | Medium | 4.51 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Texas | TX | High | 4.96 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Utah | UT | High | 4.98 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Vermont | VT | Medium | 3.77 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Virginia | VA | Medium | 4.44 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Washington | WA | Medium | 3.43 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| West Virginia | WV | Medium | 4.38 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Wisconsin | WI | Medium | 4.22 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
| Wyoming | WY | High | 4.90 | 5 | 4+ source notes | 2026-08-16 |
How to read this table
- Sun 2024 is measured daily solar radiation (GHI) at the state capital, annual average, from the Open-Meteo archive — the same number behind the sun look-up.
- Sun zone is the qualitative resource indicator used across the site — a sorting aid, not a measurement.
- Guide depth counts source notes, not independently verified policies. Four or more notes means richer coverage, not a completed review. Source-note dates are historical record dates; see the guide for document-specific dates and pending checks.
- What's not here: an A–F net-metering grade. Public grade tables (Freeing the Grid) exist, but their grades trail current state policy by years and their methodology is not something we can re-verify — so this site does not re-publish them. Each state page explains its available evidence. Some local policy sections are still pending verification; do not assume all utilities or incentives have been checked.
Sorted by name by default; click any column header to sort, click again to reverse.
Questions homeowners ask
Why no A–F net-metering grade for each state?
Grade tables like Freeing the Grid exist, but their grades trail current state policy by years and we cannot re-verify their methodology against primary sources. Re-publishing them would put unverifiable numbers on our pages — against this site's rules. Instead, each state page states its net-metering rule in prose with a last-verified date.
What exactly is 'Sun 2024'?
The annual average of daily solar radiation (GHI, kWh/m²/day) measured at the state capital in 2024, from Open-Meteo's ERA5 archive — the same data behind the sun look-up tool. It is a measurement, not a guess, but your roof is a different site: real output still depends on tilt, shading and installer modeling.
What does guide depth mean?
The number of individually verified facts on that state's page. Four or more facts is marked rich; one to three is light; facts-in-progress means the federal-credit rule is verified but state programs are still being checked against primary sources.
Can I sort by payback instead?
Payback depends on your rate, your bill and your installer's price — none of which are state facts. Run the solar planning calculator with your bill and utility assumptions, or compare quotes with the scorecard.
What this tool estimates
Use this free 50-state solar comparison table to compare measured sun, solar-resource context and guide depth side by side. Search or sort the table, then open the relevant state guide for incentives, costs and utility context.
No email required. Results are calculated in your browser; use them as a planning estimate, not a guaranteed quote or savings forecast.
How the math works
This tool is a sortable data table, not a savings ranking. It presents the documented state-level solar-resource and verification fields, while payback still depends on a homeowner's bill, system price and utility rules.
Key variables that change your result
Solar resource
State-level sun data helps frame potential production but does not replace a site-specific roof model.
Guide verification date
State incentive and utility rules can change, so every guide needs a visible verification date.
Homeowner economics
Payback cannot be ranked fairly without your electric use, quote price, financing and utility tariff.
Questions homeowners ask
Which state is best for solar panels?
There is no single winner. Good solar economics combine production, installed cost, electricity rates, export credit and local incentives.
What does the state solar table compare?
It compares documented state-level sun context and guide verification fields, then links to each state's detailed solar guide.
Can I compare solar payback by state here?
Not fairly from state data alone. Use a state guide and calculator with your own bill, quote and utility context for a planning estimate.
State context matters
Find your state solar guide
Costs, incentives, export rules and payback inputs vary by state. Open your state guide before treating any calculator result as a buying decision.