Solar savings calculator
How much a solar system would produce and save at your address's sunshine and rate, and how long it takes to pay for itself.
Solar payback by state
7 kW system at $3.00/W, no incentives, 80% of output valued at the state's average residential rate. Production from NREL PVWatts at each state's largest city.
| State | kWh per kW | Rate | Yr-1 savings | Payback (yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 1,622 | 43.51¢ | $3,951 | 5.3 |
| California | 1,677 | 32.99¢ | $3,098 | 6.8 |
| Massachusetts | 1,302 | 30.43¢ | $2,219 | 9.5 |
| Maine | 1,319 | 29.31¢ | $2,164 | 9.7 |
| Rhode Island | 1,294 | 29.27¢ | $2,120 | 9.9 |
| New York | 1,291 | 28.39¢ | $2,053 | 10.2 |
| Connecticut | 1,291 | 27.99¢ | $2,023 | 10.4 |
| District of Columbia | 1,392 | 24.20¢ | $1,886 | 11.1 |
| New Hampshire | 1,259 | 26.67¢ | $1,880 | 11.2 |
| New Jersey | 1,306 | 23.78¢ | $1,739 | 12.1 |
| Maryland | 1,392 | 21.03¢ | $1,639 | 12.8 |
| Vermont | 1,222 | 23.80¢ | $1,628 | 12.9 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,356 | 20.70¢ | $1,572 | 13.4 |
| New Mexico | 1,779 | 15.32¢ | $1,526 | 13.8 |
| Michigan | 1,291 | 21.05¢ | $1,521 | 13.8 |
| Arizona | 1,755 | 15.40¢ | $1,514 | 13.9 |
| Colorado | 1,595 | 16.58¢ | $1,481 | 14.2 |
| Wisconsin | 1,334 | 18.74¢ | $1,400 | 15.0 |
| Illinois | 1,325 | 18.79¢ | $1,394 | 15.1 |
| Alaska | 922 | 26.85¢ | $1,386 | 15.1 |
| Delaware | 1,364 | 17.79¢ | $1,358 | 15.5 |
| Ohio | 1,296 | 18.25¢ | $1,325 | 15.9 |
| Virginia | 1,427 | 16.48¢ | $1,317 | 15.9 |
| Nevada | 1,753 | 13.36¢ | $1,311 | 16.0 |
| Kansas | 1,526 | 15.09¢ | $1,290 | 16.3 |
| Texas | 1,421 | 15.96¢ | $1,270 | 16.5 |
| Alabama | 1,376 | 16.44¢ | $1,267 | 16.6 |
| South Carolina | 1,446 | 15.64¢ | $1,266 | 16.6 |
| Indiana | 1,332 | 16.94¢ | $1,263 | 16.6 |
| Florida | 1,455 | 15.39¢ | $1,254 | 16.7 |
| Minnesota | 1,333 | 16.22¢ | $1,211 | 17.3 |
| Wyoming | 1,533 | 14.01¢ | $1,203 | 17.5 |
| Georgia | 1,420 | 15.12¢ | $1,202 | 17.5 |
| Oklahoma | 1,542 | 13.70¢ | $1,183 | 17.8 |
| North Carolina | 1,416 | 14.77¢ | $1,171 | 17.9 |
| Mississippi | 1,414 | 14.77¢ | $1,169 | 18.0 |
| South Dakota | 1,409 | 14.20¢ | $1,120 | 18.7 |
| Missouri | 1,433 | 13.95¢ | $1,119 | 18.8 |
| Utah | 1,484 | 13.32¢ | $1,107 | 19.0 |
| Iowa | 1,370 | 14.13¢ | $1,084 | 19.4 |
| Louisiana | 1,479 | 12.99¢ | $1,076 | 19.5 |
| West Virginia | 1,230 | 15.48¢ | $1,066 | 19.7 |
| Kentucky | 1,344 | 13.92¢ | $1,047 | 20.1 |
| Montana | 1,344 | 13.84¢ | $1,042 | 20.2 |
| Idaho | 1,468 | 12.65¢ | $1,040 | 20.2 |
| Arkansas | 1,373 | 13.43¢ | $1,033 | 20.3 |
| Nebraska | 1,423 | 12.86¢ | $1,025 | 20.5 |
| Tennessee | 1,339 | 13.56¢ | $1,016 | 20.7 |
| Oregon | 1,121 | 15.50¢ | $973 | 21.6 |
| North Dakota | 1,294 | 12.32¢ | $893 | 23.5 |
| Washington | 1,088 | 14.12¢ | $860 | 24.4 |
Frequently asked questions
How much can solar panels save on my electric bill?
It depends on your sunshine, your rate and how your utility credits exports. A 7 kW system produces roughly 9,741 kWh a year in an average U.S. location, worth about $1,752 at the national average rate if every kWh offsets a purchase. Enter your ZIP above for your utility's rate.
Is there still a federal solar tax credit?
The 30% residential clean energy credit (Section 25D) for homeowner-purchased systems ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. Leased and third-party-owned systems may still qualify for business credits, and many states and utilities offer rebates. Enter any incentives in the calculator as a percent of cost.
What is net metering vs. net billing?
Under full net metering, power you send to the grid earns the full retail rate. Under net billing (California NEM 3.0 and a growing number of states), exports earn far less, often 20–40% of retail. Using more of your solar yourself, or adding a battery, matters more under net billing. Set the export credit to match your utility's policy.