Solar guides — all 50 states

State incentives, net metering rules, average costs, and top installers. Updated monthly.

Best for solar savings

California

High electricity rates make solar the most economically compelling. NEM 3.0 changed the math — battery storage now recommended.

Avg cost: $3.00/W · Solar rank: #1 installed capacity

Best for sun hours

Texas

Abundant sun, low install costs, growing incentive programs. No statewide net metering — utility rules vary significantly.

Avg cost: $2.78/W · Solar rank: #2 installed capacity

All states A–Z

Alabama Fair Alaska Limited Arizona ★★★★ Arkansas Fair California ★★★★★ Colorado ★★★★ Connecticut ★★★★ Delaware ★★★ Florida ★★★★ Georgia ★★★ Hawaii ★★★★★ Idaho ★★★ Illinois ★★★★ Indiana ★★ Iowa ★★★ Kansas ★★★ Kentucky ★★ Louisiana ★★ Maine ★★★ Maryland ★★★★ Massachusetts ★★★★★ Michigan ★★★ Minnesota ★★★ Mississippi ★★ Missouri ★★ Montana ★★★ Nebraska ★★ Nevada ★★★★ New Hampshire ★★★ New Jersey ★★★★ New Mexico ★★★★ New York ★★★★ North Carolina ★★★★ North Dakota ★★ Ohio ★★★ Oklahoma ★★★ Oregon ★★★ Pennsylvania ★★★ Rhode Island ★★★★ South Carolina ★★★ South Dakota ★★ Tennessee ★★ Texas ★★★★ Utah ★★★★ Vermont ★★★★ Virginia ★★★ Washington ★★★ West Virginia ★ Wisconsin ★★★ Wyoming ★★

ℹ️

Star ratings reflect overall solar economics: sun hours, electricity rates, incentive quality, and net metering rules. A low-rated state doesn't mean solar is a bad investment — it depends heavily on your specific situation. Use our cost calculator for a personalised estimate.