Solar payback by state (2026)
Without the federal 25D credit, payback for buying solar outright depends mostly on local electricity prices and how exported power is credited. States with high rates and full net metering still pay back fastest. Ranked by estimated payback for a typical home:
| State | Rate | Typical bill | Payback (buy) | 25-yr net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 31¢ | $164 | 9 yrs | $30,800 |
| Massachusetts | 30¢ | $177 | 9 yrs | $47,600 |
| New York | 25¢ | $145 | 10 yrs | $36,700 |
| New Jersey | 20¢ | $136 | 11 yrs | $32,400 |
| Arizona | 15¢ | $158 | 12 yrs | $30,900 |
| Florida | 15¢ | $165 | 12 yrs | $37,800 |
| Texas | 15¢ | $170 | 14 yrs | $27,300 |
| Illinois | 17¢ | $119 | 15 yrs | $18,700 |
Download this table as JSON. How we calculate.