Solar by State / California
Data last verified: August 2026Is Solar Worth It in California in 2026?
The honest answer depends on four numbers that are unique to California: your electricity rate, your solar production, your net metering policy, and your state incentives. Here are the real figures, with sources and dates.
California Solar Snapshot (2026)
| Residential electricity rate | 32.8¢/kWh (EIA, 2026 YTD May) |
| Solar production | ~1560 kWh per kW installed per year (NREL PVWatts v8) |
| Net metering | Net billing (exports below retail) — export ~5¢/kWh |
| State tax credit | None in 2026 |
| Rebates / performance | SGIP Battery rebates |
| SREC market | No active SREC market |
| Property tax exemption | Yes |
| Sales tax exemption | No |
Estimate Your Own Payback in California
The table above is a 6 kW benchmark. Your home is different — use the Solar ROI Calculator with California pre-loaded to get your exact payback, or the 30-second worth-it quiz for a go/no-go verdict.
California FAQ
Does California have a solar tax credit in 2026?
California does not offer a state income tax credit for residential solar in 2026. The federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025 and does not apply to 2026 installations.
What is net metering like in California?
California uses net billing with exports around 5¢/kWh. This means exports are credited below retail, so using or storing your power matters.
Is solar worth it in California after the federal credit ended?
At a typical 3.20/W installed cost and 32.8¢/kWh electricity, a 6 kW system in California has an estimated payback of about 8 years (rank #44 of 51 states). That is one of the faster paybacks in the country.
Compare California with Another State
See how California stacks up against South Carolina — or use the state comparison tool for a side-by-side of any two or three states.
Popular guides
Is Solar Worth It After the 2026 Tax Credit?
What changed when the federal 25D credit expired.
Read →Solar Panel Cost by State (2026)
How much solar costs in every state this year.
Read →Net Metering vs Net Billing
Why your export credit matters as much as your rate.
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