Compare Solar Economics Across States
Compare electricity rates, solar production, payback period, and state incentives side by side for any 2–3 U.S. states. Free interactive comparison tool.
How this calculator works
- Pick two or three states and this tool builds a side-by-side comparison: electricity rate, annual production, installed cost, annual savings, payback, 25-year net profit, net metering type, and state incentives.
- Everything is computed with the same system size and usage across states, so the comparison is apples-to-apples.
- This is the fastest way to answer "is solar better in Texas or California?" with real numbers instead of vibes.
Example scenarios
TX vs CA vs FL: Three of the biggest solar markets, very different economics.
MA vs NJ vs PA: Northeast comparison — NJ's TRECs vs MA's SMART vs PA's weak SRECs.
AZ vs NV vs CO: Southwest — all net billing or retail, different rates and sun.
Data & algorithm
- Each state runs the full ROI model with its own rate, production, cost, and incentives.
- Net metering type determines the export credit: full retail = your rate; net billing = state export rate; avoided cost = ~3–5¢.
Official data sources
- EIA 2026 (rates), NREL PVWatts v8 (production), DSIRE 2026 (incentives), LBNL (cost).
All figures dated 2026. Incentives and rates change — verify current values with your utility and the administering authority before making decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Which state is best for solar in 2026?
By payback speed: Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey lead. By total savings over 25 years, high-rate states with good production win. Run the comparison with your usage to see the winner for you.
Why is Texas slower than California for solar?
Texas power is cheaper (~16¢ vs ~33¢/kWh), so every kWh you produce offsets less bill value — even though Texas installs cost less per watt.