Solar payback by state, 2026
A 7.7 kW south-facing system at each state's median installed price, with no federal tax credit. Payback ranges from 8.1 years in Hawaii to 27.4 years in Utah.
| Rank | State | Payback | Cost | Saved per year | Electricity | Exports earn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | 8.1 years | $27,720 | $3,410 | 48¢ | Net billing |
| 2 | Maine | 8.4 years | $27,720 | $3,292 | 32.41¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 9.1 years | $26,180 | $2,873 | 30.49¢ | Reduced |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 9.6 years | $26,950 | $2,819 | 28.29¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 5 | Connecticut | 10.2 years | $25,410 | $2,493 | 24.16¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 6 | District of Columbia | 10.5 years | $27,720 | $2,652 | 25.21¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 7 | New York | 10.5 years | $30,030 | $2,871 | 29.9¢ | Full retail |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 11.1 years | $28,490 | $2,577 | 26.6¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 9 | New Jersey | 11.3 years | $28,490 | $2,531 | 25.19¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 12.2 years | $27,720 | $2,273 | 21.72¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 11 | California | 12.4 years | $25,410 | $2,054 | 33.61¢ | Net billing |
| 12 | Vermont | 12.4 years | $27,720 | $2,235 | 23.75¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 13 | Colorado | 13.3 years | $27,720 | $2,088 | 17¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 14 | Maryland | 13.4 years | $30,800 | $2,295 | 21.41¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 15 | Alaska | 13.5 years | $27,720 | $2,047 | 28.83¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 16 | Ohio | 14.1 years | $27,720 | $1,962 | 19.45¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 17 | Florida | 14.2 years | $23,870 | $1,684 | 15.03¢ | Full retail |
| 18 | Delaware | 14.3 years | $27,720 | $1,941 | 18.48¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 19 | Illinois | 14.3 years | $27,720 | $1,936 | 19.22¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 20 | New Mexico | 14.3 years | $31,570 | $2,204 | 16.09¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 21 | Virginia | 14.4 years | $27,720 | $1,928 | 17.55¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 22 | Wisconsin | 15.3 years | $30,030 | $1,958 | 19.06¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 23 | Kansas | 15.4 years | $27,720 | $1,794 | 15.27¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 24 | Minnesota | 15.5 years | $27,720 | $1,791 | 17.45¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 25 | Missouri | 15.6 years | $27,720 | $1,775 | 16.09¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 26 | Georgia | 15.8 years | $27,720 | $1,756 | 16.27¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 27 | Alabama | 16.0 years | $27,720 | $1,738 | 16.4¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 28 | South Carolina | 16.0 years | $27,720 | $1,732 | 15.47¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 29 | Wyoming | 16.4 years | $27,720 | $1,695 | 14.36¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 30 | Oklahoma | 16.4 years | $27,720 | $1,687 | 14.35¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 31 | Iowa | 16.4 years | $27,720 | $1,687 | 15.99¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 32 | South Dakota | 16.6 years | $27,720 | $1,668 | 15.37¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 33 | Mississippi | 17.5 years | $27,720 | $1,583 | 14.54¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 34 | Arkansas | 17.8 years | $27,720 | $1,559 | 14.33¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 35 | Montana | 17.9 years | $27,720 | $1,551 | 14.99¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 36 | Arizona | 18.3 years | $23,870 | $1,302 | 15.38¢ | Net billing (not checked) |
| 37 | Nebraska | 18.4 years | $27,720 | $1,510 | 13.78¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 38 | West Virginia | 18.5 years | $27,720 | $1,497 | 15.78¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 39 | Washington | 18.7 years | $23,100 | $1,232 | 14.71¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 40 | Oregon | 18.9 years | $26,180 | $1,387 | 15.97¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 41 | Nevada | 18.9 years | $27,720 | $1,465 | 12.77¢ | Reduced (not checked) |
| 42 | Indiana | 19.0 years | $27,720 | $1,462 | 16.73¢ | Reduced (not checked) |
| 43 | Louisiana | 19.1 years | $27,720 | $1,449 | 12.72¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 44 | Kentucky | 19.2 years | $27,720 | $1,441 | 13.81¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 45 | Tennessee | 19.6 years | $27,720 | $1,412 | 13.71¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 46 | Idaho | 19.8 years | $27,720 | $1,401 | 13.73¢ | Reduced (not checked) |
| 47 | Michigan | 20.3 years | $27,720 | $1,364 | 23.05¢ | Net billing |
| 48 | North Dakota | 20.7 years | $27,720 | $1,336 | 13.41¢ | Full retail (not checked) |
| 49 | North Carolina | 23.3 years | $31,570 | $1,354 | 15.16¢ | Reduced (not checked) |
| 50 | Texas | 25.3 years | $30,800 | $1,216 | 15.88¢ | No state rule (not checked) |
| 51 | Utah | 27.4 years | $27,720 | $1,011 | 13.12¢ | Net billing (not checked) |